5/8/2011
Launch of Juno

9/2012
Deep Space Maneuvers

10/2013
Earth flyby gravity assist

7/2016
Jupiter arrival
Juno orbited Jupiter

Gravity Science
Map Jupiter's gravitational field

MWR – Microwave Radiometer
Study the structure, movement and chemical composition of deeper Jovian atmosphere

MAG – Magnetometer
Create a three-dimensional map of Jupiter's magnetic field

JADE – Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment
Detect the electrons and ions that produce auroras on Jupiter

JEDI – Jupiter Energetic Particle Detector Instrument
Measure and study the energetic particles interacting with Jupiter's magnetic field

Waves – Plasma Waves Instrument
Measure radio and plasma waves in Jupiter's magnetosphere

UVS – Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph
Take UV images of Jupiter's atmosphere and auroras

JIRAM – Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper
Take infrared images of the Jupiter's atmosphere and auroras

JunoCam
Take colour images of Jupiter's close shot

Orbiting Jupiter around the poles allows Juno to cover every latitude of the planet.
Credit: NASA/JPL/Caltech

Jupiter is the largest planet in our Solar System, with a mass great enough to grip the composition of its origin and most of the materials left over after the Sun formation. As such, it is a good model for providing the clue to understand the origin of the Solar System. The principle goals of Juno are to explore Jupiter in the following aspects:

1. Measure water and ammonia contents in Jupiter's atmosphere;
2. Find out the composition, temperature and patterns of cloud movement at deeper Jovian atmosphere;
3. Map Jupiter's gravitational and magnetic fields to study its interior structure;
4. Characterise the 3D structure of Jupiter's polar magnetosphere and auroras.

Technicians stow solar array against Juno spacecraft's body
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/KSC

The first spacecraft operates with solar power at great distance from the Sun:

Jupiter receives 25 times less sunlight than Earth due to its large orbit. Juno thus utilises solar power by carrying three large extended solar panels of 9 metres long each, with total surface area of more than 60 square metres. Besides the large solar panels, the spacecraft is equipped with high efficient and radiation-tolerant solar cells, making it suitable to be solar-powered.

Workers install Juno's radiation vault, which has titanium walls to protect the electronic devices of the spacecraft
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/LMSS

Carry the first-of-its-kind radiation shielded electronics vault:

The Jovian magnetic field is about 20,000 times stronger than the Earth's. It traps and accelerates particles to form intense radiation belts which can cause significant damage to electronic devices. To cope with the radiation hazard, Juno's command and data handling box as well as its power and data distribution units are enclosed by a special radiation vault with titanium walls.

The first spacecraft to investigate Jupiter below the dense clouds:

Before Juno, various spacecraft have made visits to Jupiter though Galileo was the only craft to conduct a long-term study. Galileo's focus was to measure Jupiter's atmosphere and observe the planet from orbit. Juno will be the first to take an in-depth study beneath the clouds and storms of Jupiter.

The first space mission allows public's participation in the imaging process:

In previous space missions, professional researchers were the only group to decide what to be studied or imaged. Juno is the first mission allowing public's participation through discussion on image targets of JunoCam. 

Points of interest suggested by the public in the mission website
Credit: NASA