Unlocking Jupiter's Secrets
Juno has been orbiting Jupiter since July 2016, studying the planet's atmosphere, interior structure, magnetic field, and magnetosphere. It follows a highly elliptical polar orbit within 4,200 km of Jupiter's cloud tops. The mission has revealed that Jupiter's interior is not uniformly mixed, its magnetic field is far more complex than expected, and its polar regions host massive persistent cyclone clusters.
Extended Mission
Originally planned to end in 2021, Juno's mission was extended to September 2025 to add close flybys of Jupiter's moons Ganymede, Europa and Io — its Io passes capturing spectacular images of active volcanic eruptions and lava lakes. Whether it operates beyond 2025 depends on NASA budget decisions.
Mission Timeline
2011-08-05
Launch on Atlas V
2016-07-04
Jupiter orbit insertion
2022-09-29
Close flyby of Europa (352 km)
2023-12-30
Closest Io flyby (1,500 km)