NASA announced Juno spacecraft's main engine did not operate properly after initiating a command sequence last Oct. 15. In a news release by NASA, they indicated that two helium check valves of the spacecraft did not respond quickly as expected.
These valves play an important role in firing the main engine. Firing or burning the spacecraft's engine is intended to shorten Juno's orbital period from 53.4 terrestrial days to 14 days.
So Close, So Far: See my first orbit of #Jupiter in this amateur-created JunoCam “marble movie” #citizenscience https://t.co/5hZa99CEyZ pic.twitter.com/EeqYuJxH8S
— NASA's Juno Mission (@NASAJuno) September 26, 2016
According to The Register, mission managers of NASA's Juno mission need to extend another 53 days to sort out the engine problem before moving to the next phase. They hope to conduct the PRM by December 11.
The bright side of this situation is the emphasis of mission scientists that longer orbital periods would not affect the science the spacecraft collects. However, if the next PRM fails to initiate, Juno will only fly fewer orbits.
Juno is expected to make 36 orbits during the next 20 months. Jupiter's harsh radiation environment affects the spacecraft's number of orbits which causes degradation of the spacecraft and its scientific instruments.
Juno's mission was to probe Jupiter from an elliptical, polar orbit. Its first successful flyby around Jupiter happened on Aug. 27. NASA anticipates a similar outcome this Oct. 19, when the spacecraft is closest to the planet.
NASA launched The Juno spacecraft on Aug. 5, 2011, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The insertion to Jupiter's orbit happened last Jul, 4. You can visit NASA's site to know more about the mission.
Will NASA's Juno Spacecraft be successful on its next launch? Will the engine be fixed on time? How do you feel about the delay due to engine problems? Do you consider it as a failure from NASA? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
