Go to websites for the NASA Juno mission (http://nasa.gov/ mission_pages/juno and http://missionjuno.swri.edu), a spacecraft that was launched in 2011 and is scheduled to arrive at Jupiter in \(2016 .\) What are the science goals of the mission? What will happen to the spacecraft at the end of the mission? Examine the mission's trajectory. Why does it loop around the Sun and pass Earth again in 2013 before heading to Jupiter? Why is there a plaque dedicated to Galileo Galilei on the spacecraft?

The Juno mission, launched by NASA in 2011 and arriving at Jupiter in 2016, has clear and important science goals. Juno aims to understand the origin and evolution of Jupiter, which in turn can teach us about the formation of our entire solar system.
To achieve this, Juno will:

• Map Jupiter's magnetic and gravity fields in high detail to gain insights into its deep interior structure.
• Study the composition and dynamics of Jupiter's atmosphere, particularly its clouds, storms, and overall climate.
• Investigate the planet's magnetosphere near its poles, especially its auroras, to understand how Jupiter's enormous magnetic field affects its atmosphere.

Each of these goals helps scientists answer fundamental questions about the giant gas planet and its role in the solar system.

The Juno spacecraft follows a fascinating and complex trajectory to reach Jupiter. After launching from Earth, Juno executed a wide loop around the Sun. This allowed it to position for a gravity assist maneuver back near Earth in 2013.
The gravity assist maneuver, often described as borrowing a little bit of Earth's orbital energy, boosted Juno's velocity. This increased speed is critical because traveling directly to Jupiter would require an impracticably large amount of fuel.
Juno's path demonstrates a clever use of physics and orbital mechanics to make deep-space missions more feasible and cost-effective.

Among the special features aboard Juno is a plaque dedicated to Galileo Galilei, one of the most influential scientists in history. This plaque is not just a tribute but a meaningful symbol.
Galileo is credited with discovering Jupiter's four largest moons—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—using his telescope in 1610. His observations were groundbreaking, changing our understanding of the cosmos and our place within it.
By including this plaque, NASA honors Galileo's pioneering spirit and his contributions to astronomy. It connects modern space exploration with the rich heritage of scientific discovery.

A crucial element of Juno's journey to Jupiter was its gravity assist maneuver via Earth in 2013. This technique involves a spacecraft passing close to a planet to use that planet's gravity to change its trajectory and increase its speed.
Here's how it works: as Juno approaches Earth, it gains energy and velocity from Earth's orbital motion around the Sun. This slingshot effect gave Juno the extra push needed to reach Jupiter.
Gravity assists are a common and efficient strategy in space missions. They allow spacecraft to travel farther and faster without needing massive amounts of fuel, which is both costly and heavy. This maneuver is an excellent demonstration of applying orbital mechanics to improve mission feasibility.

As the Juno mission progresses, planning for its end is also crucial. Scheduled to conclude in 2025, the mission has meticulously laid out plans for its final phase to ensure both scientific value and planetary protection.
At the end of its mission, Juno will be directed to execute a controlled deorbit and disintegrate in Jupiter's atmosphere. This ensures that the spacecraft does not accidentally crash into and possibly contaminate one of Jupiter's moons, which could harbor conditions suitable for life.
This careful planning reflects NASA's commitment to responsible space exploration, ensuring that even as missions end, they do not inadvertently harm potential future scientific studies.