Galileo:
Goals: Galileo carried 10 science instruments and a atmospheric probe to Jupiter for a comprehensive study of the giant planet's atmosphere, moons and magnetosphere from orbit.
Accomplishments:: Like the famed astronomer for which it was named, Galileo spacecraft logged quite a few firsts during its 14-year
mission to Jupiter. Among its discoveries: an intense radiation belt above Jupiter's cloud tops, helium in about the same concentration as
the sun, extensive and rapid resurfacing of the moon
Io because of
volcanism, and evidence for liquid water oceans under the moon
Europa's icy
surface.
The orbiter carried a small probe that became the first to sample the
atmosphere of a gas planet. The probe measured temperature, pressure,
chemical composition, cloud characteristics, sunlight and energy
internal to the planet, and lightning. During its 58-minute life, the probe
penetrated 200 km (124 miles) into Jupiter's violent atmosphere before it was
crushed, melted, and/or vaporized by the pressure and temperature of the
atmosphere.
Read More About Galileo
The spacecraft was named in honor of Galileo Galilei (right), the 17th Century Italian astronomer who proved planets orbit our Sun.
