Juno (spacecraft) facts for kids

*Juno*
	Artist's rendering of the Juno spacecraft at Jupiter
Mission type	Jupiter orbiter
Operator	NASA / JPL
Website	nasa.gov/juno (NASA); missionjuno.swri.edu (SwRI);
Mission duration	Planned: 7 years; Elapsed: 8 years, 1 month, 10 days; ; Cruise: 4 years, 10 months, 29 days; Science phase: 4 years (extended until July 2021)
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin
Launch mass	3,625 kg (7,992 lb)
Dry mass	1,593 kg (3,512 lb)
Dimensions	20.1 × 4.6 m (66 × 15 ft)
Power	14 kW at Earth, 435 W at Jupiter; 2 × 55-ampere-hour lithium-ion batteries
Start of mission
Launch date	August 5, 2011, 16:25 UTC
Rocket	Atlas V 551 (AV-029)
Launch site	Cape Canaveral SLC-41
Contractor	United Launch Alliance
	; Juno mission insignia New Frontiers program

Juno is a NASA space probe orbiting the planet Jupiter. It was built by Lockheed Martin and is operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on August 5, 2011 (UTC), as part of the New Frontiers program, and entered a polar orbit of Jupiter on July 5, 2016 (UTC), to begin a scientific investigation of the planet. After completing its mission, Juno will be intentionally deorbited into Jupiter's atmosphere.

Juno's mission is to measure Jupiter's composition, gravity field, magnetic field, and polar magnetosphere. It will also search for clues about how the planet formed, including whether it has a rocky core, the amount of water present within the deep atmosphere, mass distribution, and its deep winds, which can reach speeds up to 618 kilometers per hour (384 mph).

Juno flight path

Juno is the second spacecraft to orbit Jupiter, after the nuclear powered Galileo orbiter, which orbited from 1995 to 2003. Unlike all earlier spacecraft sent to the outer planets, Juno is powered by solar arrays, commonly used by satellites orbiting Earth and working in the inner Solar System, whereas radioisotope thermoelectric generators are commonly used for missions to the outer Solar System and beyond. For Juno, however, the three largest solar array wings ever deployed on a planetary probe play an integral role in stabilizing the spacecraft as well as generating power.

Juno's name comes from Greek and Roman mythology. The god Jupiter drew a veil of clouds around himself to hide his mischief, and his wife, the goddess Juno, was able to peer through the clouds and reveal Jupiter's true nature.

Juno was originally proposed at a cost of approximately US$700 million (fiscal year 2003) for a launch in June 2009. NASA budgetary restrictions resulted in postponement until August 2011, and a launch on board an Atlas V rocket in the 551 configuration. As of June 2011^[update], the mission was projected to cost US$1.1 billion over its life.

Scientific objectives

The Juno spacecraft's suite of science instruments will:

Determine the ratio of oxygen to hydrogen, effectively measuring the abundance of water in Jupiter, which will help distinguish among prevailing theories linking Jupiter's formation to the Solar System.
Obtain a better estimate of Jupiter's core mass, which will also help distinguish among prevailing theories linking Jupiter's formation to the Solar System.
Precisely map Jupiter's gravitational field to assess the distribution of mass in Jupiter's interior, including properties of its structure and dynamics.
Precisely map Jupiter's magnetic field to assess the origin and structure of the field and how deep in Jupiter the magnetic field is created. This experiment will also help scientists understand the fundamental physics of dynamo theory.
Map the variation in atmospheric composition, temperature, structure, cloud opacity and dynamics to pressures at all latitudes.
Characterize and explore the three-dimensional structure of Jupiter's polar magnetosphere and auroras.
Measure the orbital frame-dragging, known also as Lense–Thirring precession caused by the angular momentum of Jupiter, and possibly a new test of general relativity effects connected with the Jovian rotation.

Galileo plaque and Lego minifigures

The inclusion of the three mini-statues, or figurines, is part of a joint outreach and educational program developed as part of the partnership between NASA and the LEGO Group to inspire children to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Juno carries a plaque to Jupiter, dedicated to Galileo Galilei. The plaque was provided by the Italian Space Agency and measures 7.1 by 5.1 centimeters (2.8 by 2.0 in). It is made of flight-grade aluminum and weighs 6 grams (0.21 oz). The plaque depicts a portrait of Galileo and a text in Galileo's own handwriting, penned in January 1610, while observing what would later be known to be the Galilean moons.

The spacecraft also carries three Lego minifigures representing Galileo, the Roman god Jupiter, and his sister and wife, the goddess Juno. The Juno minifigure holds a magnifying glass as a sign of searching for the truth, and Jupiter holds a lightning bolt. The third Lego crew member, Galileo Galilei, has his telescope with him on the journey. The figurines were produced in partnership between NASA and Lego as part of an outreach program to inspire children's interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Although most Lego toys are made of plastic, Lego specially made these minifigures of aluminum to endure the extreme conditions of space flight.

Images for kids

Juno's self rotation
Jupiter's south pole, seen by NASA's Juno spacecraft from an altitude of 32,000 miles (52,000 kilometers). The oval features are cyclones, up to 600 miles (1,000 kilometers) in diameter
Juno's high-gain antenna dish being installed
Jupiter imaged using the VISIR instrument on the VLT. These observations will inform the work to be undertaken by Juno
Atlas V on pad
Lift-off
Juno secured on rotation stand
The sunlit part of Jupiter's South pole and its swirling atmosphere (August 27, 2016)
JunoCam shows Jupiter growing and shrinking in apparent size before and after the spacecraft made its closest approach in August 27, 2016
Infrared view of the southern aurora of Jupiter in August 27, 2016
This image highlights a feature on Jupiter where multiple atmospheric conditions appear to collide
Galileo plaque
See Jovian clouds in striking shades of blue in this new view taken by NASA's Juno spacecraft 2017
This artist's rendering shows NASA's Juno spacecraft during its Earth flyby gravity assist on Oct. 9, 2013
An Atlas V rocket launches with the Juno spacecraft payload from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Friday, August 5, 2011
NASA's Juno spacecraft arrives at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida aboard an Air Force C-17 jet