The Galileo Project, managed by NASA, was a mission designed to explore the Jupiter system, with the Galileo Probe being a crucial component aimed at directly studying the atmosphere of Jupiter. Here are some key details:
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Launch and Deployment:
The Galileo Probe was launched from Earth on October 18, 1989, aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-34 mission). It was part of the Galileo Orbiter, which carried the probe for its journey to Jupiter.
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Mission Objectives:
- Study the composition of Jupiter's atmosphere, including its structure, dynamics, and chemistry.
- Investigate the atmospheric dynamics and weather patterns.
- Measure the abundance of noble gases and isotopic ratios, which could provide clues about the formation of the Solar System.
- Search for signs of life or prebiotic chemistry.
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Descent into Jupiter:
- On December 7, 1995, the Galileo Probe separated from the Galileo Orbiter and began its descent into Jupiter's atmosphere. It entered at a speed of about 47.4 km/s, making it one of the fastest human-made objects.
- The probe was designed to withstand extreme conditions, including temperatures over 15,000 degrees Celsius and pressures 23 times that of Earth's atmosphere at sea level.
- It transmitted data for nearly 58 minutes as it descended approximately 150 kilometers into the atmosphere before the signal was lost, presumed due to the probe being destroyed by the increasing pressure and heat.
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Instruments:
The probe carried several scientific instruments:
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Discoveries and Findings:
- The probe found less water vapor than expected, suggesting it descended into a "dry spot" or hot spot in Jupiter's atmosphere, which was later confirmed by the Galileo Orbiter.
- It measured a higher abundance of neon than expected, which helped refine models of how Jupiter formed and evolved.
- Wind speeds were measured up to 644 km/h, providing insights into Jupiter's atmospheric dynamics.
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