NASA has canceled the transition, “Juno” on a short orbit
The command of the mission “Juno” took the decision to leave the camera on the long 53-day orbit of the Jupiter.
According to scientists, this will not affect the quality of the scientific data and to obtain new data on the magnetosphere of the planet. However, because of this instead of the planned 35 rpm the unit will perform over time, main job only 12 close encounters with Jupiter. About it reports a press-release NASA.
“Juno” is on the long 53-day orbit July 4, 2016. According to the plan of the mission, the device was to turn the engines and adjust the trajectory 19 of October. 14 Oct engineers carried out a planned inspection of the main engine, “Juno” and found that two helium valve system compression fuel worked with a strong delay: instead of a few seconds on their opening took minutes. Then the maneuver was postponed during the investigation of the causes of the anomaly.
Four months later, the engineers took the decision to cancel the transition, “Juno” on a short orbit.
We considered many scenarios for the transition of Juno on a shorter orbit, but there are concerns that after the engine is started, the machine will go to the junk orbit. That is, starting the engines — the risk for the scientific goals of the mission.Rick Nickelsaver mission
Scientists say that the long orbits allow us to expand the program mission of the unit have the opportunity to explore the magnetosphere of Jupiter is not only near planets, but the outer reaches. In addition, the “Juno” will spend less time in conditions of high radioactivity. This effect limits the lifetime of the device. In the budget the mission will continue until July 2018. Then the team will probably ask to extend the mission.
According to a press release in the coming months, will publish a series of scientific articles according to data compiled by the “Juno” for the first three rendezvous with Jupiter. In particular, scientists have found that auroras on Jupiter is much stronger than previously believed, and atmospheric education, providing an unusual appearance of the gas planet, and extend deep below the surface giant.
“Juno” was launched from Earth on 5 August 2011. She became the first camera, photographed and studied North and South poles of Jupiter, and also broke several records, becoming the most distant from the Sun by a device powered by solar panels and made the transition to the orbit of the planet at a speed of 57,9 km per second.
The main mission of the unit is the analysis of the magnetic field and the gas giant’s atmosphere. In addition, the researchers hope to find out how did Jupiter and how the “hot spots”, the wells are free of clouds, through which you can see the lower layers of the atmosphere of the planet. Read more about the challenges faced by the “Juno” can be read in our material.
Vladimir Korolev