Goodbye, Galileo - probe to be flown into Jupiter

[Emperor_Norton_II]

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?030908fa_fact

For the past eight years, the vintage spacecraft known as the Galileo Orbiter has been tracing a complex path between Jupiter’s four large moons. During this time, it has made detailed scientific observations and taken thousands of high-resolution photographs, beaming them to Earth, half a billion miles away. On September 21st, Galileo’s extended tour of Jupiter’s satellites will end, and it will hurtle directly toward the immense banded clouds and spinning storms of the largest planet in the solar system.

As the orbiter plummets toward Jupiter’s atmosphere, several of its observational instruments will send a live transmission to Earth, and this data stream could prove highly illuminating. Galileo may be able to confirm the existence of a rocky ring close to the planet—a feature that has long been suspected. Other instruments will convey information about the density and composition of the mysterious, smokelike “gossamer rings” suspended inside the orbit of Amalthea, a moonlet near Jupiter.

(more, as always, in the link)

Personally, I'm not incredibly thrilled with the decision to crash Galileo - it's still mostly working despite everything and can continue to send back good data - but I understand the rationale and in the end it's a good one. Especially with the stakes NASA's banking on.

So raise a glass to that brave little toaster, who goes where we can't just yet. Salut! :toast:

[Dookus]

1. aww...

this makes me sad for some reason. That's one plucky little space craft.

Thanks, Galileo!

[ProudGerman]

2. Plucky doesn't even begin to describe Galileo

I know I'm personifying an inanimate object, but she's one hell of a spacecraft. It's a shame that our early spacecraft always have to end up destroyed. Galileo would make an awesome museum piece for centuries to come, and Mir would have made a great orbital museum. At least Galileo will go out doing what she's done far beyond what her limitations and cirumstances would lead one to expect, enlightening all mankind.

Farewell brave explorer!

[Emperor_Norton_II]

3. There's still Voyager and Pioneer

Of course, rounding them up might be something of a hassle considering they're out past the solary system.

Another thing for the "to do" list...

[Dudley_DUright]

4. No problem rounding them up

once we develop warp drive. :-) Galileo would have been proud of what his namesake accomplished. A scientific treasure-trove of images and data. The images of of Io that Galileo obtained are among my favorites of any astronomical photos (and that is saying a lot since I am a big Hubble fan).

[Deja Q]

5. The rationale escapes me

The commies or terrorists lack the means to fetch and study the probe for their own evil means. :eyes:

There aren't any aliens to dismantle and study the probe to look for our defensive weaknesses. :eyes:

NASA, like the rest of the universe, has to live on a budget, so why are they wasting perfectly good equipment?

[Emperor_Norton_II]

6. One word: Europa

The big discovery Galileo made was evidence of a permanent water ocean hiding under the surface of Europa. The same tidal forces that drive the volcanes on Io help warm the ocean enough to keep it liquid, and maybe down at the bottom create undersea thermal vents. The vents would provide enough energy to sustain life.

If Galileo was left to spin aimlessly around Jupiter unpowered, sooner or later it would hit one of the moons. NASA would rather it not hit Europa, because there's a chance that Galileo is carrying microorganisms form here that could survive the impact and contaminate an alien ecosystem.