Why did NASA destroy Galileo?

Why did NASA destroy Galileo?

Galileo changed the way we look at our solar system. When the spacecraft plunged into Jupiter’s crushing atmosphere on Sept. 21, 2003, it was being deliberately destroyed to protect one of its own discoveries—a possible ocean beneath the icy crust of the moon Europa.

What did Galileo discover NASA?

Galileo’s atmospheric probe discovered that Jupiter has thunderstorms many times larger than Earth’s. The probe measured atmospheric elements, and found that their relative abundances were somewhat different than on the Sun, indicating Jupiter’s evolution since the planet formed.

Is Galileo still orbiting Jupiter?

On Sept. 21, 2003, after 14 years in space, traveling 2.8 billion miles, and 8 years in orbit around Jupiter, having completed 35 orbits around the giant planet, Galileo fired its main engine for the final time.

What planet did Galileo think was 3 planets?

Saturn
To Galileo’s surprise, Saturn wasn’t just one planet, but three!

What happened Galileo’s probe?

The Galileo spacecraft’s 14-year odyssey came to an end on Sunday, Sept. 21, when the spacecraft passed into Jupiter’s shadow then disintegrated in the planet’s dense atmosphere at 11:57 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

Why did NASA name a Jupiter probe after Galileo?

Galileo was an American robotic space probe that studied the planet Jupiter and its moons, as well as the asteroids Gaspra and Ida. Named after the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, it consisted of an orbiter and an entry probe….Galileo (spacecraft)

Why did Galileo look at Jupiter?

When Galileo pointed his telescope at Jupiter, the largest planet in our solar system, he made a startling discovery. The planet had four “stars” surrounding it. Within days, Galileo figured out that these “stars” were actually moons in orbit of Jupiter. Curious about the Sun, Galileo used his telescope to learn more.

What was Galileo’s aim?

While its aim was to study Jupiter and its mysterious moons, which it did with much success, NASA’s Galileo mission also became notable for discoveries during its journey to the gas giant.

Where is the Galileo satellite now?

The app above shows the last resting place of the Galileo Spacecraft right now – which is within Jupiter. You can also wind the animation backwards in time to watch its launch and its flybys of Venus and the Earth, and insertion into orbit around Jupiter.

Who first saw rings of Saturn?

Galileo GalileiRings of Saturn / Discoverer

Why was Saturn named Saturn?

The farthest planet from Earth discovered by the unaided human eye, Saturn has been known since ancient times. The planet is named for the Roman god of agriculture and wealth, who was also the father of Jupiter.

What did Galileo discover about Jupiter’s moons?

Galileo orbited Jupiter for almost eight years, and made close passes by all its major moons. Its camera and nine other instruments sent back reports that allowed scientists to determine, among other things, that Jupiter’s icy moon Europa probably has a subsurface ocean with more water than the total amount found on Earth.

Which spacecraft is currently orbiting Jupiter?

The Juno mission is currently orbiting Jupiter, following up on many of Galileo’s observations and studying the planet’s internal structure. Galileo was the first spacecraft to orbit Jupiter.

Do scientists still study Galileo’s data today?

However, to this day scientists continue to study the data it collected. The Juno mission is currently orbiting Jupiter, following up on many of Galileo’s observations and studying the planet’s internal structure.

What happened to the Galileo space mission?

Passion drives me, it fuels me, and it’s what matters most to me. The Galileo mission ended on Sept. 21, 2003, when the spacecraft was intentionally commanded to plunge into Jupiter’s atmosphere, where it was destroyed. However, to this day scientists continue to study the data it collected.