Juno Space Probe Is Set To Enter Jupiter's Orbit On Monday

"After a five-year journey through the solar system, NASA's $1.1 billion Juno mission is set to begin its orbit around Jupiter on Monday. But for the probe to be captured by the giant planet's gravity and go into the desired orbit, Juno's main engine has to fire for 35 minutes."

"'We've only got one shot,' says Guy Beutelschies, director of space exploration systems at Lockheed Martin, the company that built and operates Juno. 'If we miss this flyby, we're assuming the mission's over.'"

"That means for about 35 minutes Monday, scores of scientists and engineers will be biting their nails, crossing their fingers and staring at computer display screens, hoping the decades of work to design, build and launch this ambitious mission won't have been in vain."

"Assuming all goes smoothly, Juno will provide a lot answers to questions about Jupiter. Although it's well-known that the gas giant is made up primarily of hydrogen and helium gas, the planet's core remains mysterious."