NASA’s Juno spacecraft to reach farthest point in Jupiter orbit

a. Apogee

b. Apojove

c. Apojup

d. None of the above

 

Following its departure from Earth 5 years ago, NASA’s Juno spacecraft will reach the farthest point in Jupiter’s orbit to understand the science behind the giant planet which has a mass of two and half times that of other planets in the solar system combined.

• The orbit is called apojove.
• It is 8.1 million km from the planet; After this point, the gravitational grip of the solar system’s largest planet on Juno will lead to the spacecraft falling back for another pass.
• Launched on August 5, 2011, Juno arrived at Jupiter on July4, 2016 and is currently executing one of two long orbits prior to the science mission.
• Capture orbit is when the science instruments of the spacecraft are turned off to simplify operations during flawless manoeuvre allowing Jupiter’s gravity to capture Juno into the first of two 53.4 day long orbits.
• Following orbit capture, Juno will fire the engine once more to shorten its orbital period into 14 days and commence its science mission.