The Jupiter Probe Incredible Success

[rhinefire]

The arrival time of the Jupiter probe this past week was within one second of the plan. This is equivalent of the possibility of hitting a hole in one from New York City to San Francisco.

 

[WCH]

The arrival time of the Jupiter probe this past week was within one second of the plan. This is equivalent of the possibility of hitting a hole in one from New York City to San Francisco.

No stop lights or detours in space.

 

[dimensionallava]

The arrival time of the Jupiter probe this past week was within one second of the plan. This is equivalent of the possibility of hitting a hole in one from New York City to San Francisco.

would you mind explaining the strange design of the probe? why is it shaped that way and why is it so large compared to similar craft?

 

[Rogue Valley]

would you mind explaining the strange design of the probe? why is it shaped that way and why is it so large compared to similar craft?

For the most part, the Juno probe traveled 1.8 billion miles using only solar power and a gravity-slingshot. The solar panels generate 500 watts of electricity which is enough to power the internal instruments. The orbit of Jupiter is an extremely harsh environment and Juno's nine experimental components and electronics must be encased in a protective vault of titanium. Juno will eventually succumb (20 months) to the intense local radiation and will be commanded to plunge into Jupiter's atmosphere to avoid any collision with the planet's moons.

 

[Nilly]

The arrival time of the Jupiter probe this past week was within one second of the plan. This is equivalent of the possibility of hitting a hole in one from New York City to San Francisco.

That's government efficiency for ya

would you mind explaining the strange design of the probe? why is it shaped that way and why is it so large compared to similar craft?

Because there's no atmosphere in space there is no reason to design spacecraft aerodynamically. The only time you need aerodynamic features is when you have air, which is why rockets and planes look like they do. In the case of most outer spacecraft, you want to maximize area pointing at the sun, so you can get a lot of sunlight incident on the solar panels. Juno was likely taken up by a conventional rocket after which it was 'unfolded' to look like it does now.

Also a little fun fact that I poitned out in a different Juno thread, but each of Jupiters moons are named after Jupiters mistresses and lovers. Juno, who NASA have just sent up to check everything out, is named after Jupiters wife :mrgreen: