Launch Date : October 18, 1989
Weight : 2380 Kg
Power System : Radioisotope Thermal Generators
of 570 W Probe
Probe Status
Launch Date : July 13, 1995
Entry Date : December 7, 1995
Weight : 335 Kg
Power System : Storage Batteries of 580
W
The science goals of the Galileo Probe were
to:
1. determine the chemical composition
of the Jovian atmosphere
2. characterize the structure
of the atmosphere to a depth of at least 10 bars
3. investigate the nature of
cloud particles and the location and structure of cloud layers
4. examine the Jovian radioactive
heat balance
5. study the nature of Jovian
lightning activity
6. measure the flux of energetic
charged particles down to the top of the atmosphere
The objectives of the Galileo Orbiter are to:
1. investigate the circulation
and dynamics of the Jovian atmosphere
2. investigate the upper Jovian
atmosphere and ionosphere
3. characterize the morphology,
geology, and physical state of the Galilean satellites
4. investigate the composition
and distribution of surface minerals on the Galilean satellites
5. determine the gravitational
and magnetic fields and dynamic properties of the Galilean satellites
6. study the atmospheres, ionosphere's,
and extended gas clouds of the Galilean satellites
7. study the interaction of
the Jovian magnetosphere with the Galilean satellites
8. characterize the vector
magnetic field and the energy spectra, composition, and angular distribution
of energetic particles and plasma to a distance
of 150 Rj
Scientific firsts of the Galileo mission
Although Galileo was not the first mission
to explore Jupiter (it is the sixth), it has established a number
of firsts time things during its journey.
1. First mission to make
a close flyby of an asteroid (Gaspra).
2. First mission to discover
a satellite of an asteroid (Ida's satellite Dactyl)
3. First multispectral
study of the Moon.
4. First atmospheric
probe to enter Jupiter's atmosphere.
5. First spacecraft to
go into orbit around Jupiter
6. First direct observations
of a comet impacting a planet (Shoemaker-Levy 9)
A picture of the Galileo Probe entering Jupiter's Atmosphere
Galileo being launched from Atlantis
Galileo orbiting Jupiter
Galileo orbiting one of Jupiter's moons
Galileo receiving messages from the Probe
