Juno spacecraft went into safe mode
(NASA/JPL https://bit.ly/3YYKCGQ)
The Juno spacecraft went into safe mode due to a failure in the transmission of scientific data to Earth.
The error was caused by the ingress of charged particles into the systems of the device.
Currently, the communication channel has been restored and the station will soon return to normal operation.
Juno has been in orbit around Jupiter for six years, periodically approaching the gas giant.
Thanks to the mission, scientists learned a lot about Jupiter:
- the composition, structure and dynamics of its atmosphere
- the parameters of clouds and vortices
- the processes in its magnetosphere
- the internal structure of the planet
- the properties and details of the surfaces of its large satellites
SAFE MODE
On December 14, 2022, Juno made its 47th approach to the gas giant, after which it began the usual procedure for transferring accumulated scientific data to Earth.
However, the connection was suddenly interrupted, and the spacecraft experienced a malfunction, which led to a forced reboot of the on-board computer.
On December 17, the mission team put the device into safe mode, in which it has remained ever since.
It is assumed that the failure was caused by charged particles entering the spacecraft's systems during its flight through the most active parts of Jupiter's magnetosphere.
On December 22, data transmission was resumed, and it is expected that the station will soon be taken out of safe mode and return to normal operation.
The next approach of the spaceship to the planet is scheduled for January 22 of the next year.
Sources:
- NASA: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/juno-spacecraft-recovering-memory-after-47th-flyby-of-jupiter
- Space.com: https://www.space.com/juno-mission-jovian-moons-photos-science
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