Galileo

Classification: Orbiter spacecraft.

Mission: Investigate Jupiter's atmosphere, magnetosphere, and satellites.

Features: Galileo was launched aboard the Space Shuttle in October 1989. It executed science observations during gravity-assist flybys of Venus and Earth, as well as during two asteroid flybys. It observed Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's impact with Jupiter in July 1994. Galileo entered Jovian orbit December 1995 shortly after receiving the data from its atmospheric probe, which entered Jupiter's atmosphere. Galileo has carried out a very successful tour of the Jovian system.

Stabilization: Spin stabilized.

Also see: Large detailed illustration of the Galileo Orbiter; Spacecraft prior to launch; the Galileo Project website.