27
Jul 11

NASA's Jupiter-Bound Juno Spacecraft Mated to Its Rocket

Source: NASA


Artist's impression of Juno spacecraft passing in front of Jupiter.
Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

NASA's Juno spacecraft completed its last significant terrestrial journey on Wednesday, with a 15-mile (25-kilometer) trip from Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Fla., to its launch pad at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The solar-powered, Jupiter-bound spacecraft was secured into place on top of its rocket at 10:42 a.m. EDT (7:42 a.m. PDT).

Juno will arrive at Jupiter in July 2016 and orbit its poles 33 times to learn more about the gas giant's interior, atmosphere and aurora. (read more)

Twitter del.icio.us Digg Facebook linked-in Yahoo Buzz StumbleUpon