40 miles per hour. At that speed, this spacecraft can fly across the Pacific Ocean in less than 3 minutes, if I'm not mistaken. That's beyond my understanding of the world.
When I saw the image of our blue planet captured by Juno, I realized how beautiful the earth is, this small planet we all live in. Yet, we are just a tiny, tiny part of the solar system, not to mention the Milky Way and the universe. How can we not be fascinated by it?
It's this kind of curiosity to find out where we all came from or how the environment we live in formed that makes us great.
When I saw the image of our blue planet captured by Juno, I realized how beautiful the earth is, this small planet we all live in. Yet, we are just a tiny, tiny part of the solar system, not to mention the Milky Way and the universe. How can we not be fascinated by it?
It's this kind of curiosity to find out where we all came from or how the environment we live in formed that makes us great.
1
I am dumb with admiration. I am thrilled and uplifted. To be able to see our huge and distant fellow planet up close is a joy. We as humans can vicariously fly billions of miles and see what no human has seen before.
Thank you, NASA. We are all space explorers today. Thank you, thank you.
Thank you, NASA. We are all space explorers today. Thank you, thank you.
1
Congrats to NASA and Juno for entering the orbit successfully. Hope the spacecraft reveals some of Jupiter's secrets. Is it really a star that failed to ignite because it is too small? Does the planet have a rocky core the size of Earth made primarily of metallic Hydrogen? Metallic Hydrogen! Talk about exotic and otherworldly.
3
The good people working at NASA remind us yet again what it really takes to make a nation great and that this work quietly goes on everyday in the many difficult tasks undertaken and fulfilled out of sight by colleagues, neighbors and many, many people we simply do not have the good fortune to know. It is their long year of preparation, know how, hard work, attention to detail, charged with a delicate balance of imagination, courage, modesty and tenacity to undertake overwhelming challenges. It is definitely NOT the cacophony of intolerant, arrogant, and self obsessed blowhards tooting their horns day in and day out on Twitter and the Blogosphere.
6
Simply awesome.
1
When so many Americans are incapable of thinking big, it's brilliant to see big thinkers actually manage to accomplish great things.
Americans have gotten so crabbed and negative... I sometimes find it hard to recognize the country that had the guts, drive, and ambition to put a man on the moon.
Thank you NASA for reminding us that if we want "not just a few stars here and there, but the moon and a good part of the sun," hard work, brains, and a willingness to think big- or even to dream- can get it for us.
Americans have gotten so crabbed and negative... I sometimes find it hard to recognize the country that had the guts, drive, and ambition to put a man on the moon.
Thank you NASA for reminding us that if we want "not just a few stars here and there, but the moon and a good part of the sun," hard work, brains, and a willingness to think big- or even to dream- can get it for us.
3
Space...the final frontier.
I've seen some incredible images in my lifetime, thanks to NASA: the view of earth as a blue-white ball in space; men walking on the moon; the lights of civilization at night from high above the ground; galaxy fields and nebulae; the red Martian landscape; the rings and moons of Saturn up close; the heart-shape on Pluto and its strange moon Charon.
How I wish I could visit there. I wish everyone who stares up at the night sky with wonder could go there.
But it's inhospitable to human life and costs a lot of money to send people into space.
How great is it, then, that NASA and other countries' space agencies have figured out how to send spacecraft all around the solar system to explore on our behalf? Still expensive, but well worth it.
Congratulations to all at NASA and especially the Juno team!
I've seen some incredible images in my lifetime, thanks to NASA: the view of earth as a blue-white ball in space; men walking on the moon; the lights of civilization at night from high above the ground; galaxy fields and nebulae; the red Martian landscape; the rings and moons of Saturn up close; the heart-shape on Pluto and its strange moon Charon.
How I wish I could visit there. I wish everyone who stares up at the night sky with wonder could go there.
But it's inhospitable to human life and costs a lot of money to send people into space.
How great is it, then, that NASA and other countries' space agencies have figured out how to send spacecraft all around the solar system to explore on our behalf? Still expensive, but well worth it.
Congratulations to all at NASA and especially the Juno team!
To my earlier comment, I received the following: “I can think of nothing more insulting to the majesty of God than failing to use our intellect to understand God's creation.” This statement illustrates the tension in a desire to believe in God and science at the same time. To believe in God’s creation rejects the possibility of change; in other words, the belief in God’s creation assumes that the creation was perfect from the start, that there was no need for it to change in response to a changing environment which is the crux of evolution. What do we need to understand about God’s creation when it was perfect to begin with? The Bible says God looked upon His creation after six days, saw that it was good (perfect) and then rested on the seventh day. When I mention evolution in this context, I don’t mean man evolving from monkeys, but rather geological change in the solar system and the earth. Every time there is an earthquake, it undermines the Biblical creation story as told through Genesis. If the earth was perfect, as the Bible claims, then why is it changing? “To use our intellect to understand God's creation” is a disingenuous way to say use science to understand the Biblical origins of earth, the planets, and the universe. The bottom line is that you either believe or you don’t. Belief in God means you buy into His word all the way. When it comes to belief in God, there is no half way.
1
This really isn't about science or government or resource allocation. It is about the one qualitatively different thing humanity has done in the past 5000 years: we have gotten off the earth. and no matter what calamity befalls or is caused by us, our specie will always remember that it was possible, it was done, and that horizon will always be there.
5
Reading this stuff just blows me away with a never-ending admiration and astonishment with Arthur C. Clarke's vision of the universe seen through his eyes through the lenses of prominent space-scientists. At the end of '2010", the space travelers and their earth handlers receive a warning, "All these worlds are yours--except Europa. Attempt no landings there."
Ensuring that Juno nose-dives into Jupiter to prevent microbes from invading Jupiter's moons.....heeding Mr. Clarke's "warning"?
Ensuring that Juno nose-dives into Jupiter to prevent microbes from invading Jupiter's moons.....heeding Mr. Clarke's "warning"?
3
This is a magnificent accomplishment for NASA. To all the scientists, engineers, programmers, and technicians associated with this endeavor, Bravo!
3
Why don't we get the people who can build things to orbit Jupiter and place them in charge of the "clean coal" plant in Mississippi? The fact that it isn't rocket science- this should be a walk in the park for them...
5
“This is the hardest thing NASA has ever done,” Scott Bolton, Juno’s principal investigator, told the mission team a few minutes later. “That’s my claim.”
Apollo 13 would like a word with you Mr. Bolton.
Apollo 13 would like a word with you Mr. Bolton.
1
For those of you who are creating websites and are underpaid because of lo-paid designers overseas, please consider: HTML and Javascript are NOT used to program Juno's Mission Computer. It has no hard drive, but it IS radiation hardened. You will need an engineering education.No code camps!
5
July 5 2016
God we needed that for our good neighbors and all is right with the engineers and the worlds to conquer or at least share our destiny for the greater good of life's journeys.
God we needed that for our good neighbors and all is right with the engineers and the worlds to conquer or at least share our destiny for the greater good of life's journeys.
2
Congratulations to all your scientists out there. I have problems sometimes getting in my first serve yet you are able to send a probe to Jupiter - not exactly across the block - and have it stick around.
Brilliant, just brilliant! Well done guys.
Brilliant, just brilliant! Well done guys.
5
It's so exciting juno mission can help understand jupiter mysteries. The mission will analyse jupiter's powerful magnetic field and its moons. It will help to try to analyse and discovery if possible its moons might have life especially europa moon. also see how NASA's invention did possible this missions, especially in terms to adapt engine to adverse enviroment.
2
What an amazing achievement! The Juno crew must be incredibly happy. When I look at the picture of Galileo, who was amazing in his own right, I think how far we've come in a relatively short period of time and how thrilled he would be. But at the same time, we have this beautiful, beautiful planet and I just can't understand why, if we can fly to Jupiter, we can't take better care of our Earth.
7
I'll believe the scientist when he says this is the hardest thing NASA has ever done. Still, this layperson remains awed by Apollo 11 landing the first human on the moon with less computing power than an iPhone.
4
Yea!! Can't wait to see the new discoveries!!!
2
This article, with its stunning interactive graphics, is a masterpiece. For the grand achievement of NASA engineers and scientists, you have added an apposite journalistic moment. Thank you.
1
Congratulations to the team that orchestrated this epic journey to the king of the solar system! I look forward to find out more about Jupiter's traits, especially about the planet core and its magnetic field. The engineers did an amazing job to precisely insert into orbit a spacecraft in an unknown and dangerous environment from such a distance. I hope I will read more news about such ingenuity and exploration instead of the petty disputes that drown us every day.
3
Another small step by NASA preface to a giant leap for Mankind.
Congratulations to NASA for another extraordinary achievement in their continuing mission of the robotic exploration of the Solar System and the deployment of technology, discovery, development and systems that very soon will see the resumption of manned missions and all the possibilities and potentials that implies for the future.
To advance our knowledge, to make new discoveries and explore the universe are the most noble and pure goals of our species intellect and potentiality as well as an activity and shared goal in which all humanity can appreciate, share and feel part of with a pride and unity that transcends all our fractious acts and destructive tendencies.
To those who wish for a better world and way of doing things they can look at at the night sky and know that what we are doing in the vast expanses of space and the worlds that inhabit them are but a glimpse and a beginning of what truly great things we are capable and able to do and gives hope that we can transcend those things that hurt, harm and hold us back and do the good things that show the best parts of what we are and can be.
May the means by which we show ourselves how best and better we can be continue to engage and inspire us to greater deeds and by them, be emboldened to make such pursuits and the spirit in which they are done the way forward for how we live and make our way to a future full of the potential
that awaits us.
Congratulations to NASA for another extraordinary achievement in their continuing mission of the robotic exploration of the Solar System and the deployment of technology, discovery, development and systems that very soon will see the resumption of manned missions and all the possibilities and potentials that implies for the future.
To advance our knowledge, to make new discoveries and explore the universe are the most noble and pure goals of our species intellect and potentiality as well as an activity and shared goal in which all humanity can appreciate, share and feel part of with a pride and unity that transcends all our fractious acts and destructive tendencies.
To those who wish for a better world and way of doing things they can look at at the night sky and know that what we are doing in the vast expanses of space and the worlds that inhabit them are but a glimpse and a beginning of what truly great things we are capable and able to do and gives hope that we can transcend those things that hurt, harm and hold us back and do the good things that show the best parts of what we are and can be.
May the means by which we show ourselves how best and better we can be continue to engage and inspire us to greater deeds and by them, be emboldened to make such pursuits and the spirit in which they are done the way forward for how we live and make our way to a future full of the potential
that awaits us.
3
NASA has once again shown us what we can achieve when we put our minds and hearts and passion into that which transcends the petty and personal and reveals the capabilities we have shown we have and which also hints of the huge potential that lies within.
It is that potential that we must unlock if we are to transcend beyond the limits and the barriers that we thrust upon ourselves by the behaviors and attitudes that seek to keep us mired in the muck of our own mediocrity.
NASA through its dedicated passionate people who bring us such wonders and elicit such awe are one of the beacons of light that give us the sight to see what we can really be if we dare to let that potential within, decide to set it free.
NASA continues to give us new knowledge, insights and discoveries but just as importantly it continues to give us the faith and the hope that we can be and do much better most of what we do because it shows we can and thus makes us think and ask the question why?
Which is always the first small step to take before a giant leap can be made for all Mankind.
Thank You NASA for all that you do and for all you instill and Inspire that lies within us all.
It is that potential that we must unlock if we are to transcend beyond the limits and the barriers that we thrust upon ourselves by the behaviors and attitudes that seek to keep us mired in the muck of our own mediocrity.
NASA through its dedicated passionate people who bring us such wonders and elicit such awe are one of the beacons of light that give us the sight to see what we can really be if we dare to let that potential within, decide to set it free.
NASA continues to give us new knowledge, insights and discoveries but just as importantly it continues to give us the faith and the hope that we can be and do much better most of what we do because it shows we can and thus makes us think and ask the question why?
Which is always the first small step to take before a giant leap can be made for all Mankind.
Thank You NASA for all that you do and for all you instill and Inspire that lies within us all.
7
This is fantastic, and exactly how money should be spent to explore the universe -- with advanced technology. Human space travel is not needed, and its deleterious health effects are common knowledge.
I find it sad when I read about ego-driven billionaires building rockets for short-term joy rides. It’s too bad they couldn’t put their smarts and money to better use....like advancing sustainability on our beautiful Earth.
I find it sad when I read about ego-driven billionaires building rockets for short-term joy rides. It’s too bad they couldn’t put their smarts and money to better use....like advancing sustainability on our beautiful Earth.
1
Another pivotal moment in our species' understanding of the universe and ultimately of our expanding out towards the stars. Congratulations to NASA. The knowledge that is acquired by such expeditions is going to benefit our own everyday lives here on earth - just think of the new and better ways to harness solar energy after this long flight, it's the first time we've sent out a solely solar powered craft instead of a nuclear powered one.
Sad thing: the feeble number of comments compared to other stories here in NYT that to be honest may very well prove to be much much less significant in the long run.
Be that as it may this truly is (another) historic day.
Sad thing: the feeble number of comments compared to other stories here in NYT that to be honest may very well prove to be much much less significant in the long run.
Be that as it may this truly is (another) historic day.
2
I wish I could earmark all my tax payments for NASA. Amazing
2
This is quite an achievement and I'm really looking forward to the results. But "the hardest thing NASA has ever done"? Really? Compared to returning Apollo XIII to Earth with no instruments, no computer, using the engine of the wrong craft, and with a jerry-rigged carbon filtration system? Compared to returning Gemini VIII to Earth after it flew so badly out of control that it was spinning once per second? Compared to flying to the moon and back with 1969 technology? I think Dr. Bolton has been going without sleep just a little too long...
5
Solar power is here. Juno's mission to Jupiter is one of the most fascinating achievements of engineering and science. I take my hat off to those who made it possible. Congratulations to the teams that made it possible.
4
In a world with so much distressing news, this achievement is indeed thrilling. Hearty thanks to all the workers who made this possible.
4
This is about more than science or government or allocation of resources. This is about the one thing of a truly qualitative nature that humanity has done that is different in the past 5000 years: we have gotten off the earth, and the knowledge that such can be done will forever be part of our specie's heritage no matter what disasters befall us or that we produce.
2
The scientific discoveries and amazing photos that NASA has been able to glean from unmanned craft is astounding. It can only get better with continued advances in robotics. Makes one think that manned space flight is no longer necessary, or even desirable. Bravo!
2
It's a waste of taxpayer dollars - I believe the cost is estimated at $2 billion. The money could be used to assist the poor, the homeless, desperately need infrastructure improvements (bridges, rails, tunnels, roads). I don't understand the necessity for NASA to be honest - it's great to see pictures from outer space, but I got over that in grade school.
1
If you think NASA is a waste, take a walk down the halls of the Pentagon.
Cut the waste there and you could double NASA's funding and improve science education to the point where no one would be ignorant enough to say "NASA's pretty pictures don't tell us anything" ever again.
Oh, and you'd have cash to spare to fix all our bridges and tunnels.
Cut the waste there and you could double NASA's funding and improve science education to the point where no one would be ignorant enough to say "NASA's pretty pictures don't tell us anything" ever again.
Oh, and you'd have cash to spare to fix all our bridges and tunnels.
1
Perhaps now NASA will finally discover the origin and meaning of the black monoliths.
5
In Sanskrit Jupiter is "Guru" or "Brihaspathi". Why? Because without the Guru, not just a teacher but a protector, a guide and an adjuster, there is no planet earth and no possible life on earth as we know it. Guru comes after the great Sun, the Dev. It is Jupiter that absorbs a lot of the sun's radiation and prevents it from life on earth. It is Jupiter's gravitational force that keeps many meteors from crashing into us, or our planet from going out of orbit. It is supposed to be a dramatic and a subtle planet. It is its intense drama as well as its more nuanced influences that we wish to understand accurately. And as we study the Guru itself, we must also respect its greatness in our solar system and its vital, life saving, contributions to our existence and hopefully our further evolution...in our planet, in our solar system, our galaxy and the universe itself.
We bow our head in awe and respect and say, before we begin our journey and our research, "Om Guru vay Namaha" or "Guru Namastubhyam" (Thank you Guru).
And let us remember all our Gurus in our planet earth too. Our teachers, faculty, researchers and guides. We must always remember and thank them too.
I say "Dhanyawaad and Namaste" to our wonderful researchers and workers on this mission. May you be safe, may you keep us safe, may you always work towards greater global equality, justice and oneness, and may you always remember our universe is a beautiful lotus is to be studied as we study a vital flower.
We bow our head in awe and respect and say, before we begin our journey and our research, "Om Guru vay Namaha" or "Guru Namastubhyam" (Thank you Guru).
And let us remember all our Gurus in our planet earth too. Our teachers, faculty, researchers and guides. We must always remember and thank them too.
I say "Dhanyawaad and Namaste" to our wonderful researchers and workers on this mission. May you be safe, may you keep us safe, may you always work towards greater global equality, justice and oneness, and may you always remember our universe is a beautiful lotus is to be studied as we study a vital flower.
4
Often when I encounter a difficult task I tell myself "Human beings went to the moon and you're a human, now make it happen." What a wonderful legacy NASA has given to humankind. We really need to spend so much more money on science of all types.
6
This is another fantastic success by NASA!
To date, the USA is the only nation to successfully visit all of the outer planets [Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune & Pluto (dwarf planet)], of our Solar System.
Once again, the USA has shown the world what a free and open society can accomplish and the benefits of sharing its scientific findings with the world.
To the all naysayers in the USA who say we are a "poor" country falling behind China and Russia with nothing to show, I ask what outer planets has any other country successfully visited or orbited?
To date, the USA is the only nation to successfully visit all of the outer planets [Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune & Pluto (dwarf planet)], of our Solar System.
Once again, the USA has shown the world what a free and open society can accomplish and the benefits of sharing its scientific findings with the world.
To the all naysayers in the USA who say we are a "poor" country falling behind China and Russia with nothing to show, I ask what outer planets has any other country successfully visited or orbited?
15
It would be most interesting to know the average cognitive abilities (IQ) of those responsible for the success of this incredible achievement. We can never have too many Einstein's..
6
Now if only the U.S. Government could work to the high success rate that NASA achieves with the limited amount of money that they receive……...
7
science is easy compared to governing human beings
thats why scientists become scientists and not politicians
thats why scientists become scientists and not politicians
4
I am just so proud to be an American and .... a human being!...at this moment. Everybody commenting is saying something similar, but I do not care. Astonishing work. All those saying 'government is the problem," read this. This is your tax dollars at work. But I don't even want to demean or discredit this achievement with momentary political jousts. This is just incredible and I am overjoyed, and I hope I never lose this feeling.
23
Ah, would that Arthur and Stanley were around to see this! (sorry, just saw a bit of "2001" on TCM the other evening)
4
I've been reading science fiction for over fifty years and it has left me jaundiced about our actual exploration of space to date. But there is something magnificent about flying something at 130,000 miles an hour and steering it into orbit. This trip has been a brilliant accomplishment.
13
This is just phenomenal. Kudos to the brilliant scientists and engineers at NASA for making this possible. It's incredibly exciting to be able to explore our universe in this way, and I can't wait to see what we'll discover!
13
“My sense of god is my sense of wonder about the universe.”― Albert Einstein
Thanks NASA for all the grand adventures you have taken us on.
Thanks NASA for all the grand adventures you have taken us on.
21
After watching the video explanation of the spacecraft's mission, what I find most fascinating and most ingenious is the overall path of Juno, allowing it to scan virtually the entire surface while avoiding the radiation bands around the planet. What at first seemed puzzling about it's roundabout route is revealed as an elegant solution to a vexing problem. It's yet another proof that scientific inquiry requires as much creativity as any other discipline.
I will be following the progress of this mission with compete fascination as it gradually unfolds. Thank you so much NASA for this effort and to everyone responsible for making it a reality.
I will be following the progress of this mission with compete fascination as it gradually unfolds. Thank you so much NASA for this effort and to everyone responsible for making it a reality.
38
Typically these space probes get big headlines when the initial contact with its subject is made, but then the news of its actual scientific findings gets shortchanged by the press as it comes out months and even years after the first contact, as with the rovers on Mars, Cassini around Saturn and the New Horizon's flyby of Pluto. I hope the 'Times' and other press organizations make a point to report news of Juno's scientific discoveries the equal space in news coverage as it has in today's postings.
20
Hear, hear!
2
And Donald Drumpf wants to do heavy cuts to both education and science. The good 'ol Republican way of stewing in ignorance. If he wins say goodbye to this!
27
By Jupiter! You've done it!
5
Any news on Pluto's New Horizon spacecraft? Pluto was last summer's big news -- don't forget about him! I know the IS a planet/is NOT a planet controversy continues -- you can call Pluto a planette if you're on the fence still.
3
These types of efforts by my country show what we can do and should continue to do. Lead by example!!! Science and Education. Support them. Congratulations to the team and thank you for at least temporarily lifting us out of the mud.
25
more detailed info, history and images found here
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno/main/index.html
8
Awesome!!!
Imagine ... where no LEGO figurines have gone before. May they find "relative" peace in orbit around Jupiter, away from the turmoil that exists on an "apparently" peaceful Earth.
Imagine ... where no LEGO figurines have gone before. May they find "relative" peace in orbit around Jupiter, away from the turmoil that exists on an "apparently" peaceful Earth.
6
Hard to believe that NASA and Isis share a planet and a century. The gap between humans who want to grow, understand and explore and those who face life backwards has never been wider. Congratulations and thanks to the NASA team who represent our finest human endeavors.
29
Man, am I dragging at work this morning, but it was SO worth staying up late to watch the whole thing play out live on NASA TV, and on July 4th, at that!
I tossed and turned all night out of excitement!
THIS is what makes our country great: scientific inquiry, intellectual curiosity, collecting data to understand our empirical world and beyond.
THIS embodies the Enlightenment on which this country was founded.
THIS is the great equalizer and democratizer.
It is a great day in this country!
I tossed and turned all night out of excitement!
THIS is what makes our country great: scientific inquiry, intellectual curiosity, collecting data to understand our empirical world and beyond.
THIS embodies the Enlightenment on which this country was founded.
THIS is the great equalizer and democratizer.
It is a great day in this country!
63
Trump is probably taking credit for the misson or, on the other hand, calling it a colossal waste of money, or both. Or it could be, like Brexit, that he's never heard of it.
4
spectacular image taken by juno of jupiter and th Galilean moons before instruments were powered down in anticipation of rocket burn for orbital insertion, distance of 3 mill mi
http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/pia20706_figb_l...
http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/pia20706_figb_l...
3
I think that this is a great achievement, and the JPL deserves congratulations! However, once more we are treated to a cliché from NASA Public Affairs, to boldly find out something about the origin of the solar system.
For 30 years of shuttle launches, before the shuttle was out of sight, the NASA Public Affairs people breathlessly tried to work in something about how important a mission was to finding out something about the origin of the solar system. Where's your imagination, people? What about what's on Jupiter? Is there life elsewhere? Do you think your budget will evaporate if you don't bring up the origin of the solar system cliché every single time? Please give it and us a rest.
For 30 years of shuttle launches, before the shuttle was out of sight, the NASA Public Affairs people breathlessly tried to work in something about how important a mission was to finding out something about the origin of the solar system. Where's your imagination, people? What about what's on Jupiter? Is there life elsewhere? Do you think your budget will evaporate if you don't bring up the origin of the solar system cliché every single time? Please give it and us a rest.
2
1. Exciting!!! I eagerly awaits new discovery Juno is going to make.
2. Disappointed as Obama dismantled NASA's manned space program and forbid NASA to collaborate with Russia's Roscosmos and China's CNSA on future mission in space.
2. Disappointed as Obama dismantled NASA's manned space program and forbid NASA to collaborate with Russia's Roscosmos and China's CNSA on future mission in space.
4
Anywhere in the media, the first qualifier of every space exploration mission is always the price it cost, the figure placed as an adjective. This is irritating and wrong. We astronomy buffs who are reading the piece want first and foremost the mission to exist, whatever the price, and delve henceforth on the data gathered. High as it may appear, it's always much less than what's spent for instance on the military or/and war, and much less than crowds-nurtured celebs' worth. Furthermore, it's more beneficial to human race than even humanitary expenditures, because it's a well-being insurance for the future of the human mind.
7
It's funny, I had the exact opposite reaction. When I saw the price tag early in the article my reaction was, "wow, that's less than it takes these days to build a sports arena or just about anything else." I think the cost of these projects are extremely newsworthy and deserve to be at the top of the story. It's incredible that we're able to accomplish such a singular achievement for about what we spend each day on our ill-conceived efforts to "bring democracy" to the Middle East.
4
Agree...Contrast the cost/benefit ratio of the Juno mission with the $6B spent so far on that clean burning coal plant I read about here today...
1
Fantastic achievement. Congratulations to NASA. They still have the "right stuff" when it comes to mission and science accomplishments in our solar system.
The life forms inhabiting our planet's biosphere are extremely fragile. This mission should further steel us for our ultimate destiny: living in space or colonizing an exoplanet.
One way or another in 4 billion years, we have to be off this rock.
Juno will give us answers to the solar systems formation. It's a mostly virgin environment compared to the three inner rocks and what has happened to them since our star formed.
It feels good to fund research that answers life's basic questions.
The life forms inhabiting our planet's biosphere are extremely fragile. This mission should further steel us for our ultimate destiny: living in space or colonizing an exoplanet.
One way or another in 4 billion years, we have to be off this rock.
Juno will give us answers to the solar systems formation. It's a mostly virgin environment compared to the three inner rocks and what has happened to them since our star formed.
It feels good to fund research that answers life's basic questions.
8
our ultimate destiny: living in space or colonizing an exoplanet.
hate to rain on your immortality parade , but our ultimate destiny is extinction
like every other species
that you think mankind will survive another 4 bill on earth is so laughable, i actually LOL ed
and as interesting as juno is it will not answer one of life's basic questions
not a single one
3
Wow. If you knew what all the results of the Juno probe were before we went, why didn't you say something? You could have saved NASA a $1.1b dollars they could have used elsewhere! So, please do elaborate on exactly which of "life's basic questions" it won't answer? Oh, and while you're at it, could you define what "life's basic questions" are? I mean, MINE usually includes things like "how did we get here" and "why are things the way they are", you know, the things Juno is designed to help us understand. But since you are apparently precognitive, I'm sure your "life's basic questions" will be more interesting than mine. So please, do tell!
6
it will answer many interesting scientific questions about th Jovian environment
as far as those being "life's basic questions" , not really
its a geophysical experiment, and that all, not that thats not interesting
but theres a difference between being interesting and being profound
as far as those being "life's basic questions" , not really
its a geophysical experiment, and that all, not that thats not interesting
but theres a difference between being interesting and being profound
That Juno's voyage to Jupiter -- one of our closest planetary neighbors -- took five years really puts a bit of awe into the realization of the size of our universe. As well as a bit of awe at the patience of our planetary scientists. No wonder they're so excited -- if Christmas Eve lasted five years, you'd be excited on Christmas morning, too!
14
"one of our closest planetary neighbors"?
What?
What?
How cool is this!
10
Great news! So glad to be alive in such an exciting time. I hope all goes well and looking forward to updates.
11
I think this is so wonderful, I read the entire story rapt with attention and excitement. But I did not anticipate feeling even more proud of the endeavor than after I had read the NASA team would be ditching Juno so as not to contaminate Europa because it is the one moon that my have life on it. I know from a scientific point of view the idea is not to contaminate and destroy but from a moral and deeply virtuous one, well, it's just terrific. Well done!
21
same thing was done w Galileo spacecraft
On September 21, 2003, after 14 years in space and 8 years in the Jovian system, Galileo's mission was terminated by sending it into Jupiter's atmosphere at a speed of over 48 kilometers (30 mi) per second, eliminating the possibility of contaminating local moons with terrestrial bacteria.
(wiki)
On September 21, 2003, after 14 years in space and 8 years in the Jovian system, Galileo's mission was terminated by sending it into Jupiter's atmosphere at a speed of over 48 kilometers (30 mi) per second, eliminating the possibility of contaminating local moons with terrestrial bacteria.
(wiki)
The people who know which questions to ask and find answers to make missions like these possible are awesome!
13
Truly amazing! What can be accomplished when man dreams and works to realize those dreams.
4
Dear Reader, I'd appreciate it if you consider this to the background music of Holst's "Jupiter", either hummed, or played thru internet cos you can't recall how it goes. Here's a link but y'all can easily find your own:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu77Vtja30c
Jupiter, most massive of local planets, is a mystery, but not nearly as great a mystery as several of its magnetic-storm-tossed moons. Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto all have liquid oceans beneath their ice, temps and energy sources sufficient to be a good environment for life. They are, after earth, the three best potentially inhabited planets in this solar system.
The understanding of Jupiter and its environs is critical to exploring those oceans, which harbor a good chance of alien life. Discovery of alien life, someday, and the study of it, is crucial for further exploring the universe.
Getting out of our solar system and establishing settlements around other stars is absolutely vital for our long-term survival as a species. This planet won't last forever, and if we're stuck here, we die without the rest of the universe ever knowing it.
So what's going on right now, our small and basic steps toward understanding our own solar system, will keep us alive. It's more important than the 2016 elections (which in a century will barely matter, about as much as the 1916 ones do today). More important than Syria, Ebola, Taliban, Zika, and all the others that grab headlines. This is the best news of the year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu77Vtja30c
Jupiter, most massive of local planets, is a mystery, but not nearly as great a mystery as several of its magnetic-storm-tossed moons. Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto all have liquid oceans beneath their ice, temps and energy sources sufficient to be a good environment for life. They are, after earth, the three best potentially inhabited planets in this solar system.
The understanding of Jupiter and its environs is critical to exploring those oceans, which harbor a good chance of alien life. Discovery of alien life, someday, and the study of it, is crucial for further exploring the universe.
Getting out of our solar system and establishing settlements around other stars is absolutely vital for our long-term survival as a species. This planet won't last forever, and if we're stuck here, we die without the rest of the universe ever knowing it.
So what's going on right now, our small and basic steps toward understanding our own solar system, will keep us alive. It's more important than the 2016 elections (which in a century will barely matter, about as much as the 1916 ones do today). More important than Syria, Ebola, Taliban, Zika, and all the others that grab headlines. This is the best news of the year.
1
If everyone here lived sustainably, our species would last much longer and our lovely Earth would rebound.
3
Dear Jules,
No doubt, but if after that we still failed to get to other solar systems, we would also expire having never let the universe know we were here. Planets are temporary things, and this one is no exception.
No doubt, but if after that we still failed to get to other solar systems, we would also expire having never let the universe know we were here. Planets are temporary things, and this one is no exception.
2
It is wonderful to see such a great feat of human achievement, big vision and science. A refreshing change from the endless mind set of tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts.
7
"On the 37th orbit, scheduled for Feb. 20, 2018, Juno is to make a suicidal dive into Jupiter, ending the mission, the same way that the Galileo spacecraft was disposed of in 2003. That is to ensure that there would be no possibility of Juno’s crashing into Europa, regarded as one of the likelier places for life elsewhere in the solar system, and contaminating it with microbial hitchhikers from Earth." -NYT
When we destroy Earth, Europa may be our best hope within our solar system. That's one reason why we must keep Earth in a sustainable shape before we can migrate to another planet, instead of floating in space till we die off.
When we destroy Earth, Europa may be our best hope within our solar system. That's one reason why we must keep Earth in a sustainable shape before we can migrate to another planet, instead of floating in space till we die off.
4
1, if humans destroy earth, why would you want them to travel to someplace else to destroy -- do you think th human race will survive forever, as NO other creature has ?
2. i will tell you what europa is believed to be like
a heavily fractured water ice sheet covering th entirety of th moon, most likely several miles thick, beneath which is thought to be a liquid water ocean
its also thought to be geothermaly active, w possibly deep ocean vents spewing organic gasses, much like ocean vents do on earth
that is th possibility of life they spoke of
a mission is being conceived to land on europa, drill through th ice sheet and deploy a submarine to explore th ocean beneath
if we see a grouper staring back at us, well at least know something more about th universe
2. i will tell you what europa is believed to be like
a heavily fractured water ice sheet covering th entirety of th moon, most likely several miles thick, beneath which is thought to be a liquid water ocean
its also thought to be geothermaly active, w possibly deep ocean vents spewing organic gasses, much like ocean vents do on earth
that is th possibility of life they spoke of
a mission is being conceived to land on europa, drill through th ice sheet and deploy a submarine to explore th ocean beneath
if we see a grouper staring back at us, well at least know something more about th universe
2
I am slack jawed with admiration. Just amazing.
7
I humbly observed magnificant Jupiter Saturday night at a local star party through my 8 inch scope and other larger telescopes, with visitors peering for the first time. Jupiter will always be an amazing sight, I remain very excited to see the closeup pictures and read the analysis. Five years later, I am so proud of NASA's committed scientists, engineers and operation staff! Thank god this project missed the recent budgetary "cuts." Humankind must stand together and marvel, what would Galileo think?
11
The precision that was required to accomplish this boggles my mind. We'e talking hundreds of millions of miles, and years of travel time, finally threading a spacecraft through the eye of a needle that cannot even be seen from earth. And yet... there it is! Holy cow. I guess that's why they call it "rocket science". These people are so brilliant that I feel like a simpleton by comparison (and I'm actually a telecom systems engineer).
13
So great to see the best of America go to work like this.
6
einstein wrote :
“One of the strongest motives that lead men to art and science is escape from everyday life with its painful crudity and hopeless dreariness, from the fetters of one's own ever-shifting desires
men who work on things like this have found that escape, and thats why theyre truly lucky
5
And women...
1
Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to make this happen. I was pleasantly surprised to see quite a few female team members - thank you NASA for giving women interested in science something to aspire to!
25
If you haven't checked out the book Rise of the Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt, I think you should do it asap! It's about the first group of women at JPL who were human calculators doing all the trajectory calculations back in the 50's. Incredibly, one of those women still works at JPL and she's been waiting for Juno to arrive so she could retire with a bang. These women are truly inspirational and I thank my lucky stars they paved the way for me and all the other women who dreamed of the stars :)
http://nyti.ms/29db5qG
http://nyti.ms/29db5qG
1
Rocket fires within one minute of predicted time FIVE YEARS after launch? I'm filled with admiration to the point of awe at the incredible collaborative mental teamwork of the Juno project participants and contributors (including the Brits who made the rocket engine). These men and women of NASA truly walk in the footsteps of Galileo -- large footsteps indeed. An astounding achievement that puts everything else on Page One into its proper context: trivial, of no lasting importance (unless I missed a story about climate change). Juno seems like an even bigger deal than the moon landing! Most enthusiastic congratulations to Juno -- let's not be stingy, to ALL of NASA -- for showing once again what men and women can achieve. Wow. Seems that the Americans can still get something right, exactly right -- down to the minute.
7
Rocket fires within 1 second of predicted time.! Hats off to those NASA engineers and all who worked on this project. Rocket scientists all! Bravo!
5
Anti women's rights zealots, backed by a Republican party super PAC, have filed a lawsuit to forbid abortions on Jupiter unless all NASA employees have admitting privileges at hospitals on Saturn.
7
I'd love to help finance this lawsuit.
Just one question: hospitals on Saturn, the planet, or on one of its rings?
Just one question: hospitals on Saturn, the planet, or on one of its rings?
1
Just so magnificent.
5
about 40 years ago, th 2 voyager spacecraft were launched, th first designed to travel outside th solar system
th technology then was primitive compared to that available today
those spacecraft have now left th solar system and ventured into interstellar space, and they still respond to commands and transmit data back to earth, 15 billion miles distant , 30 times farther than jupiter
th technology then was primitive compared to that available today
those spacecraft have now left th solar system and ventured into interstellar space, and they still respond to commands and transmit data back to earth, 15 billion miles distant , 30 times farther than jupiter
8
This is what taxpayer money is for. Our collective knowledge of the universe has increased and will continue to do so if NASA and their counterparts continue to get no-strings funding for scientific exploration. The more real knowledge thus gained, the less influence ancient - and erroneous - religious myths will have.
7
This article interested me the most in the New York Times this week. The title caught my attention right away. I enjoy learning about space, so this article was interesting to me. Many people believe we are wasting money on the NASA program. But NASA shows us all the things that are outside our universe. There are constantly new surprises waiting to be discovered. And in this article, their 1.1 billion dollar mission was successful. So it's nice to see that they are making progress. This mission seemed like one of the most easy going missions they have had, because all their estimates were extremely close to what actually occurred.
7
compared to Cassini and new horizons , and even th curiosity mars rover, this was a snap
2
Simply amazing. That's why I would rather finance NASA over many useless programs. Knowledge is the key to our survival.
12
Gosh a billion dollars, wouldn't it be wiser to buy a few more obsolete F35's. Just kidding, the people at JPL and NASA rock.
13
This is a wonderful accomplishment.
It is important to learn such fundamentals. There is no telling how it will be important, but that is the nature of fundamental knowledge. It is what more is built upon. We know from past efforts that it will come to something, even if today we are not all-knowing about what that will be.
However, valuable robot exploration of space is not a substitute for human-kind learning to go out into space, going there. That is a different and also valuable thing.
It isn't just the learning, it is the going. It is getting off this planet, and moving out. It is just like the early humans who moved out of Africa, and peopled the Americas as the Ice Age ended. It is humanity.
We still need to do that too.
When I was young, we landed on the Moon. We thought that was a start, not the end. We thought we'd be much further along by now. We should be. We need to get moving.
It is important to learn such fundamentals. There is no telling how it will be important, but that is the nature of fundamental knowledge. It is what more is built upon. We know from past efforts that it will come to something, even if today we are not all-knowing about what that will be.
However, valuable robot exploration of space is not a substitute for human-kind learning to go out into space, going there. That is a different and also valuable thing.
It isn't just the learning, it is the going. It is getting off this planet, and moving out. It is just like the early humans who moved out of Africa, and peopled the Americas as the Ice Age ended. It is humanity.
We still need to do that too.
When I was young, we landed on the Moon. We thought that was a start, not the end. We thought we'd be much further along by now. We should be. We need to get moving.
16
There are hundreds of people toiling on Juno, unnamed and quiet.
To them, Thank You. You make life worth living.
To them, Thank You. You make life worth living.
48
Inspiring!
I"m always amazed at how much NASA is able to accomplish on a modest budget. I'm sure there are lessons to be learned from them for our other government departments, not least our military and security.
I"m always amazed at how much NASA is able to accomplish on a modest budget. I'm sure there are lessons to be learned from them for our other government departments, not least our military and security.
5
Kewl.
2
since its inception in 1958, th total expenditure of nasa has been
$ 500, 000, 000, 000, inflation adjusted
for that you got
a space station
a space shuttle
th moon landings
hubble and next, th webb telescopes
numerous planetary landers, rovers and orbiters, juno being th latest
in that same period, you spent $ 20, 000, 000, 000, 000 on th military , 40 x as much
think of what you could have done had those numbers been reversed
3
th cost of th juno project is about th cost of one week of th afghanistan war
3
How about another trip to the moon? It's been a while, no?
1
I think unmanned space exploration delivers much more bang for the buck as well as more thrills for earthlings than manned exploration offers. I am hoping that NASA will drop its on-again, off-again plans to send a very pricey manned mission to mars or open a lunar base and instead will spend the money on unmanned exploration of the solar system. There is much more to learn and discover with unmanned exploration.
6
What if Juno finds water on Jupiter?
And what if Juno FINDS LIFE on Jupiter?
What will happen to Trump's presidency??
And what if Juno FINDS LIFE on Jupiter?
What will happen to Trump's presidency??
nasas juno website
this is where images of jupiter will be available as they are transmitted then processed
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno/main/index.html
this is where images of jupiter will be available as they are transmitted then processed
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/juno/main/index.html
2
Who owns the mineral rights?
2
$1.1 Billion for a 7-year flight (plus several years for prior planning and development) is an incredible bargain for the potential payoff in knowledge and understanding. And, if you need some perspective, consider that we've been bombing ISIS in Mesopotamia to the tune of $12M per day for the better part of 2 years, with no end in site.
If only NASA had an unlimited budget like the Pentagon, or anything close to it, there's no telling where we'd be now. Likewise, I wonder what the world would be like if the Pentagon had a limited budget. It kinda makes ya think...
If only NASA had an unlimited budget like the Pentagon, or anything close to it, there's no telling where we'd be now. Likewise, I wonder what the world would be like if the Pentagon had a limited budget. It kinda makes ya think...
13
juno cost $ 1 bill
th f35 project cost $ 1.5 trill
th f35 project cost $ 1.5 trill
9
Here we go again, spending billions of dollars on sending some kind of far fetched contraption to Jupiter to answer questions on the so-called origin of the universe and earth. What a waste of money! Money that could be spend feeding hungry children, housing homeless people, or retraining a workforce displaced by liberal economic policies. This pie-in-the sky, self-congratulatory venture, is little than a publicity stunt to justify a government agency whose time has passed. It is a colossal waste of money because man already has the answer to how things began before him. The answer is in the first line of the Holy Bible, which states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Yes, God created the heavens and the earth! I don't understand why man, especially Americans, can't simply believe in the world of God? He clearly stated in the Holy Bible that He created the heavens and the earth. Jupiter is part of the heavens! What more does man need to know?
2
I can think of nothing more insulting to the majesty of God than failing to use our intellect to understand God's creation.
1
If I'm not mistaken, you wrote this at on an electronic device of some description. Show me in the bible where God created the semi-conductor, or the cell tower, or the internal combustion engine for that matter. These things were all developed by people with curiosity and imagination. They asked questions about the world we lived in and made connections between the phenomena they observed. This gave us the wonders we all too often take for granted. If you want to believe that God created the universe, fine. But he also gave mankind the curiosity and imagination to discover how the whole thing works, and to explore the wonders that are out there, and to create wonders of our own. Wouldn't it be a bit insulting to the Creator if we ignored all that he created except for this tiny little planet we live on?
3
Your ire is better directed to your Republican leaders, who lead us into wars that have cost $2 trillion, and counting.
The $1 billion cost is a mere trifle in comparison. I've done the arithmetic. If you had $100, a nickle would represent the cost of that NASA mission.
Also, for the moment put aside your conviction that god created the heavens and the earth. Consider other scientific discoveries and technological advances that these missions have traditionally lead to in the 60+ years of the space program.
The $1 billion cost is a mere trifle in comparison. I've done the arithmetic. If you had $100, a nickle would represent the cost of that NASA mission.
Also, for the moment put aside your conviction that god created the heavens and the earth. Consider other scientific discoveries and technological advances that these missions have traditionally lead to in the 60+ years of the space program.
6
How refreshing, to be reminded, in the midst of the madness that surrounds us, that mankind is capable of truly wonderful things. Thank you.
18
Thank you, New York Time: I read the article last night and immediately hit your link to the NASA TV website and watched it all as it happened. And thank you, NASA--truly beautiful and inspirational. I can't wait to see the pictures and discoveries that will be revealed in the next few months from this giant and strange planet. I wish the people of the United States could treat this as the wonder that it is, and give the scientists at NASA a ticker tape parade.
10
Congrats NASA! I can't even begin to understand the brilliance behind this. Eagerly awaiting for results of the planned data collections "Juno is really searching for some hints about our beginnings, how everything started".
11
This ranks right up there with the loftiest accomplishments of the human imagination, and shows what our species can do on occasion. Mazel Tov!
Just think what we could achieve if we had not been cursed by our evolution with the ability for hostile aggressions. Just contemplate what could have been attained if we had not wasted brain power and man power on such activities over the span of human civilization.
The mind quails before that thought.
Maybe in millennia to come we will be able to eradicate such built in biologic traits, and THEN the human race will be quite something!
Just think what we could achieve if we had not been cursed by our evolution with the ability for hostile aggressions. Just contemplate what could have been attained if we had not wasted brain power and man power on such activities over the span of human civilization.
The mind quails before that thought.
Maybe in millennia to come we will be able to eradicate such built in biologic traits, and THEN the human race will be quite something!
27
You talk about hostile aggressions being an obstacle to our technological advancement. But to the contrary, our inherent hostility is the reason for such technological advancements. In most cases, the technology we enjoy every day started out as tools for war (radar, microwave, ARPANET etc...). If it weren't for our hostile nature (and defending ourselves from the hostile actions of others), we would have had no motivation to create any of these technologies.
That being said, it does suck that we seemingly can't have one without the other.
That being said, it does suck that we seemingly can't have one without the other.
1
I hope you are not serious!
We should keep reminding ourselves that this is only the beginning of what is possible and there is so much more we need to learn. We will probably always have problems here on Earth that will compete with the funding of scientific exploration like this, but we need to take care of the future as well, and this is clearly a big step into the future. We must continue to gain the knowledge and information that helps us grow, develop, and evolve.
1
Great stuff.
Amazing what NASA can do with the pittance of funding and attention it gets.
Amazing what NASA can do with the pittance of funding and attention it gets.
3
Very impressive work from the team at NASA-JPL. Well done.
5
If ever we needed affirmation of the overwhelming urgency and importance of real science and technology, this extraordinary accomplishment by the team at NASA is it. What a thrilling end to the celebration of our nation's birthday - and what a testament to what we can accomplish when we stop pretending that science and technology won't enhance our collective future! I am excited and deeply moved by this amazing feat, and I send out a cheer to everyone at NASA who helped to make this happen. What a welcome respite from the mind-numbing, willful ignorance and medieval refusal by the GOTP to recognize that it is here, not in religion, that we find our truths. For some, religion may be a balm for the soul, but it cannot be permitted to overtake, stifle or encroach upon our dedication to scientific research, the highest levels of technological advancement, and unlocking yet more secrets to our wondrous universe.
9
Congrats, NASA, and thanks for doing your part to raise humanity's consciousness.
9
Time and space—
the stuff of when and where.
Wise spiders weave a net
with subtle sturdy threads
to trap the now and then and here and there.
Sublime their trace—
the sum of all we share.
Why's wonders spin new life
from flimsy fragile schemes
that map the how and what and who will dare.
the stuff of when and where.
Wise spiders weave a net
with subtle sturdy threads
to trap the now and then and here and there.
Sublime their trace—
the sum of all we share.
Why's wonders spin new life
from flimsy fragile schemes
that map the how and what and who will dare.
1
If NASA had been properly funded all of these years, our colony on Mars would have been the first humans to confirm that Juno had entered Jupiter's orbit.
Congratulations for achieving dramatic results on a shoestring budget.
Congratulations for achieving dramatic results on a shoestring budget.
4
We need events like this (coinciding with that other miracle celebrated yesterday, the success of the American Revolution and the formation of our imperfect union that still tries to hold to high ideals) to remind us to reach beyond our base natures and create something inclusive that is bigger than ourselves and that transcends our petty hatreds and rivalries.
2
This is the best news I've read in some time. After all the other headlines, I think we all needed this. Thanks and congratulations to all involved. "Attaboys" and "attagirls" all around
I can't help wondering if, when he first started his experiments, Robert Goddard knew what he was getting us into.
I can't help wondering if, when he first started his experiments, Robert Goddard knew what he was getting us into.
6
Interesting, but questionable whether mankind will ever be able to have any meaningful interaction with other planets such as colonization or commercialization.
1
It is so incredible that we can see the moons orbiting Jupiter, as Juno approaches the planet, when only about 400 years ago, Galileo was put under house arrest for claiming that after seeing the moons of Jupiter moving that the Sun, not the Earth, must be the center of the solar system. Well done, NASA!!
7
Juno enters Jupiter's orbit.....
Thank you, NASA, after a 2,000-year wait, you have made Greco-Roman mythology a reality. Let's go pagan!
Thank you, NASA, after a 2,000-year wait, you have made Greco-Roman mythology a reality. Let's go pagan!
1
The NYTs sent the breaking news about this to my phone last night just after I finished watching the latest Star Wars movie ! How amazing coincident that is.NASA does it again,I'm so glad the agency didn't just rest on it's larals after the moon landing,but kept advancing it's discoveries.With this coincident it's like wishing on a star.In this case I'll let the star and guest choose and grant the wish.
1
Who needs science fiction when you've got science? Congratulations to all of NASA for this truly breathtaking achievement. They've launched a l'il ol' probe towards a monster of a planet and it seems the monster, for now, has allowed it!
12
there was an article yesterday on th difference between science and poetry
this is science
this is science
4
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, …”
Magnificent accomplishment ! It diverts my gaze away from the knaves and fools in Congress.
Magnificent accomplishment ! It diverts my gaze away from the knaves and fools in Congress.
37
This is a giant step for the human race. Congratulations to everyone involved that includes all engineers, scientists, administrators, staff, and most important, taxpayers!
3
What will NASA do if Juno "discovers" GOD?
Bravo NASA!!!! This gives me great hope. Incredible achievement and an excellent use of public funds, well done NASA!
5
Lets see another country do that! Happy Birthday America.
3
If you want something done right, send in a robot.
1
Designed and built by humans....
1
It wont be long before that too will change.
This is the legacy of JFK, the president who understood the vastness of space and our minuscule place in it. I only wish he'd survived to see it.
8
Congratulations; well done! Looking forward to a couple more years of very good news from that other gas giant :D
2
I am tickled and delighted! I wish all news was this good! Congratulations to everyone involved!
5
Space is the final frontier. It's also a good place to look at things because the way we're trashing the planet now means we may need to find a new place to ruin. My own hope is that we don't and that Jupiter provides us with new information about the origin of our solar system and other information. Support knowledge!!!!!
16
"Let me see what spring is like
On Jupiter and Mars"
On Jupiter and Mars"
38
cold and windy
bring a sweater
bring a sweater
5
Thank you NASA for once again appeasing our highest angels.
63
This is why NASA is one of the most important agencies of the federal government. Tangible, scientific results. Answers (or attempted answers) to fundamental questions about our origins and place in the universe. Hope. And every American can claim a little bit of "crowdsourced" funding for the project. Kudos to NASA.
259
Yes, amazing what can be done with Photoshop and Hollywood scriptwriters!
1
Congratulations NASA, truly inspirational. The amazing things mankind is capable of doing!
75
The quotes from scientists in this article are hilarious, and don't reinforce the claim that this is an important mission. Note: I do think it is important.
“Isn’t that incredible?"
“Now the fun begins, with science”
“We’ll be hesitant to guessing the wrong answer until we see more information”
“Isn’t that incredible?"
“Now the fun begins, with science”
“We’ll be hesitant to guessing the wrong answer until we see more information”
1
You should see the great NASA video on this mission, with tongue in cheek references to the movie Independence Day. I like the light touch. The future will have a sense of humor, I'm sure.
4
At least they're not running for president!
Wrong, wrong, wrong!
The quotes indicate that the engagement in scientific enquiry is a joy, a puzzle, and an unknown path to knowledge. These giddy responses and their almost uncontainable excitement were heartfelt acknowledgements of the this bedrock truth.
The quotes indicate that the engagement in scientific enquiry is a joy, a puzzle, and an unknown path to knowledge. These giddy responses and their almost uncontainable excitement were heartfelt acknowledgements of the this bedrock truth.
3
How many people who point to this achievement as a contrast to war and hate understand the need to protect ourselves from our enemies? The opposite of war is not just peace.
7
NASA is a better investment. Money for most 'defense' is poured down a rathole. Some of it keeps us safe; more of it starts trouble we didn't need to start.
5
I understand why war is necessary, but what gets me is that NASA and other scientists must operate on shoestring budgets with a constant threat of more cuts, while the Pentagon gets a perennial blank check. I only wonder what other paths to peace our military and policymakers might discover if they too had a limited budget.
5
What is the opposite of war? Aspiration for the entire human race?
1
I truly hope science like this prevails, along with biochemistry and other sciences rather than the bible toting idiocy of creationists who march down the path of delusional biblical fairy tales misinforming everyone under their influence and in any educational system those idiots control or influence. One still has recent memory of political dummies like Bush blocking stem cell science for religious reasons.
37
You mention biochemistry. As I read this I was wishing we had a federally funded medical research group, funded and run as effectively as NASA. I'm sure it's highly motivating to be working on a flight to Jupiter. But wouldn't it be as highly motivating to be working on a cure for cancer and more cost effective medical treatments in general? I wish we could put some of what we're learning from NASA about effective project management to good use elsewhere within our government.
1
Well, ever heard of the National Institutes of Health?
This is awesome news. If only NASA was given the kind of money the Pentagon is given for its war-mongering. Just think what humanity could accomplish.
116
Let's give NASA all the Pentagon's money, then invite ISIS over to celebrate. Until every person on this planet decides we are all one armies, navies, air forces will still be needed. 50 years ago hippies (my generation I'm proud to say) tried their darnedest to get there. But, most are not ready. You'll know when we are. No more 'my religion is better than yours, my country is better than yours, your color means you aren't fully human, your economic status makes you worthless, all of which boils down to 'if you don't totally believe in exactly what I do it means you are worthless and I am worthy of controlling you. When those attitudes go silent (don't hold your breath), we all start working together and cheering each other on these small successes are all the human race will have. I remember when Neil Armstrong first stepped on the Moon. The whole planet cheered! Will it now? Probably not, too much 'me wonderful, you not so much' has returned. Prove me wrong.....PLEASE. Without hate, or discrimination. Susan is right about 'Just think what humanity could accomplish." IF we could be humanity and not so focused on our differences.
1
It's truly great to live in an age when human aspiration and technical know-how can probe our celestial neighborhood in search of understanding a bigger world.
Like others here, I'm heartened by the imagination and technical genius of our folks involved in this mission!
Looking forward to insights into the brightest object in the sky (beyond Sun and Moon). But to send this little baby into Jupiter's orbit is super great!
Like others here, I'm heartened by the imagination and technical genius of our folks involved in this mission!
Looking forward to insights into the brightest object in the sky (beyond Sun and Moon). But to send this little baby into Jupiter's orbit is super great!
25
Congratulations NASA and to all the scientists and engineers involved. You're true heroes and I hope kids see that science is cool after all. Now where are all the politicians talking about this success? Ah yes, reading their ridiculous tweets about each other.
40
Exceptional work by JPL and NASA.
NASA needs greater funding to work on future manned space flights - most especially flights among the planets in our solar system. It should be the goal of NASA by the year 2025 to have a man on Mars. Man must reach out, and NASA and the indomitable will of the American people are the only ones on this planet that can do this.
The greatest nation on earth.
NASA needs greater funding to work on future manned space flights - most especially flights among the planets in our solar system. It should be the goal of NASA by the year 2025 to have a man on Mars. Man must reach out, and NASA and the indomitable will of the American people are the only ones on this planet that can do this.
The greatest nation on earth.
25
Here, here! Money for NASA is a gift to our future!
4
The manned space program is what has hobbled NASA. It accounts for twice what is spent on unmanned missions and accomplishes almost nothing. The unmanned program has been a great success, if only NASA could jettison the manned program which eats up funds, does almost zero science (compare shuttle and space station results (zero) with unmanned probes), and is simply welfare for a hundred or so astronauts, and only justified by public relations - let alone the unnecessary lives lost.
1
Sending a person to Mars would be a one-way trip and that traveler would die on Mars. That's not the legacy a nation wants.
We should have been doing this years and years ago but are too busy spending money killing each other in the name of peace.
71
Agreed.
When one considers just how little money is spent on science compared with other items on the USA's total annual budget, it's truly amazing just how much is accomplished.
When one considers just how little money is spent on science compared with other items on the USA's total annual budget, it's truly amazing just how much is accomplished.
40
Noo Yawka, all due credit to NASA and American ingenuity aside, read a comment below touting the 'greatest nation on earth', and you'll get your answer as to why we cannot transcend the simian sapiens that we are and finally become the homo sapiens that we believe we are.
3
That's true. But, though it might have been done a little faster, the same amount of science and thought would have had to have been done, in the same order. With the same successes and the same problems to be solved. All those steps wouldn't have been faster with just more money. Brains have speed limits too and money doesn't make them faster. Genius makes them faster. NASA just works better with fewer 'isms'. A working 79 year old scientist, still there. Not told to 'go home you're too old.' People working their hearts out for what they believe, all ethnicities, colors, genders, orientations, ages (as I mentioned), educations, religions. That is what humans must learn to do all the time. NASA has again shown us the way.
1
Marvellous demo ( not that it's needed) of NASA's technical wizardry. Congratulations to all the people there, including the non-scientific personnel like secunity, cleaners, janitors, supporting staff.
A relief to read this after the horrors of the weekend.
God bless you all.
A relief to read this after the horrors of the weekend.
God bless you all.
32
I hope this helps wake up everyone on our planet of the beauty of science and COOPERATION!
87
Fantastic, congrats to all the NASA personnel! What an inspiring story, can't wait to see what we learn from this amazing mission.
26
Evolving from simple organisms to studying distant worlds. This is the human race at it's best.
The comedian Jim Jeffieries has a great bit about the human race being a train moving slowly on a track. In the engine are all the scientists and engineers. In the cars of the train are all the religions. Imagine how fast the engine could go if it wasn't dragging the train.
The comedian Jim Jeffieries has a great bit about the human race being a train moving slowly on a track. In the engine are all the scientists and engineers. In the cars of the train are all the religions. Imagine how fast the engine could go if it wasn't dragging the train.
56
In fact it might be more accurate to describe some of those cars (religions) as engines mounted the wrong way around, trying to get the train to run in reverse.
3
I am always amazed at the ability of these machines and the humans that devised and control them to navigate the time and distances ( 5 years, nearly 2 billion miles in this case) and hit the target dead-on. Many years ago, we took our children to the Smithsonian and saw the "Spirit of St. Louis", the airplane that Lindbergh flew from NY to Paris. For some reason, at that moment it occurred to me how powerful the human spirit can be - to devise and create these miraculous machines, in which people such as Lindbergh, the astronauts and many others, place their trust and their lives. Kudos to the NASA Juno team and to all persons of vision, everywhere, who bring us miracles like this.
76
NO miracle was involved
its smart guys working hard
its smart guys working hard
5
With all the unpleasant news lately, it is truly a joy and a delight to read about our successes in this field. Thank you NY Times for putting this on the front page. Thank you US government for having the foresight to fund these type of operations. And most importantly, thank you to all of the men and women who have worked so hard, and so well, to extend our vision so very far. Truly heroic.
Eric Schubert
Chattanooga, TN.
Eric Schubert
Chattanooga, TN.
138
“Now the fun begins, with science,” Dr. Bolton said.
Nerds win!
Nerds win!
108
130k miles an hour for a 1.7 billion voyage . hard to put that on a whiteboard and bring it to reality!
Congratulations to team at NASA! Would be interesting now to see what JUNO discovers on Jupiter !
Congratulations to team at NASA! Would be interesting now to see what JUNO discovers on Jupiter !
36
Meanwhile, back on Earth in Kentucky, the deluded anti-science scammer Ken Ham launches his $100,000,000 replica of a fictional ark.
143
As silly as that is, if it's his money who the heck cares? It doesn't stop scientific progress or hamper our efforts in other areas other than to get under the skin of some people far out of proportion to its merit.
1
Indeed. Money that mankind could use for real science.
1
it promotes and dignifies ignorance
and ignorance is th worst enemy of mankind
and ignorance is th worst enemy of mankind
Great achievement! A beautiful example of what science can do for humankind. Congratulations!!
57
An astonishing achievement. I cannot fathom the ingenuity behind such an incredible endeavor.
Unfortunately the latest news about the Kardashians or Mr Trump's latest outburst will get more attention.
Unfortunately the latest news about the Kardashians or Mr Trump's latest outburst will get more attention.
109
"The hardest thing NASA has ever done." Landing the Mars rover in a cushioning bag that parachuted onto the surface, bounced, and rolled to a safe stop was hard, as was navigating among Pluto's moons snapping pictures as casually as walking in the park. Everything NASA does looks hard to me. And amazing.
178
Not to mention the lander that slowed to a hover, lowered the rover down to the Martian surface on cables, and then flew away to a planned suicide crash. Truly amazing technology. Great job, NASA.
4
landing th rover curiosity was no mean feat either
it was too heavy for th balloon method, so they used a parachute combined w retro rockets, and then lowering th rover on wires
that technique had never been tried
and it worked swimmingly, as does th rover, currently roving about ion mars
here is an animation of how it went
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4YqNoLkmxE
it was too heavy for th balloon method, so they used a parachute combined w retro rockets, and then lowering th rover on wires
that technique had never been tried
and it worked swimmingly, as does th rover, currently roving about ion mars
here is an animation of how it went
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4YqNoLkmxE
1
And landing on a moving comet?? Mind-bending.
For myself, the one mission that I will forever remember is the first lunar landing way back.However, NASA's overall achievement are always inspiring to see what mankind can do.
On one final note, it's always inspiring to read an article that garners only positive comments and accolades. That's rare in this day and age!
Brave NASA.
On one final note, it's always inspiring to read an article that garners only positive comments and accolades. That's rare in this day and age!
Brave NASA.
60
Scientific marvels like this is why the U.S. needs smart people. Smart people who value knowledge, science and the future. Think about that when you're in the voting booth this November.
197
An amazing achievement! Kudos to to all involved in this project.
55
I suspect that whatever buoys my heart in difficult times is led by miracle science, this stuff that these amazing fellow humans do. I tune in to what they are trying to do, and thrill along with them as their project succeeds (usually).
I so wish we had such genius working on peace and cooperation between nations.
Great job, amazing science, thank you.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene
I so wish we had such genius working on peace and cooperation between nations.
Great job, amazing science, thank you.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene
91
NASA in their learning also teaches us the failures just a small mote of dust can cause.
May humanity discover humility for as we loom so large against the sky, we are so small against the stars.
39
"We are so small between the stars, so large against the sky"
-Leonard Cohen
-Leonard Cohen
13
Superbly written with so few words!
6
yes exactly!
This is one of the most significant accomplishment of NASA since the unmanned landing on Mars. Fantastic job NASA. Hearty Congratulations on the success of JUNO.
80
When the news is filled with stories of suicide bombers, droughts, and an American political process that makes one shudder, it's nice to see a story like this and see what humanity is really capable of.
Bravo to all concerned.
Bravo to all concerned.
173
I am in awe of the NASA scientists and engineers who have accomplished this. It is a shame we don't entrust more of our own planet's well being to similarly brilliant individuals, instead of handing over most of the decision making power to the crop of buffoons and self-serving sociopaths currently in Congress.
285
....as well as most of our operating budget....most goes towards the literal funding of death & destruction. IS this how we choose to prioritize out budget?
6
Congrats. I watched parts of it on the NASA TV.
NYT also brought out the story of Susan G. Finley. She is a great inspiration and I was sincerely heartened by her resolve to keep going even now.
It is the presence of members like Susan that makes such a mission, a success. Thanks Susan and all the very best to the team.
NYT also brought out the story of Susan G. Finley. She is a great inspiration and I was sincerely heartened by her resolve to keep going even now.
It is the presence of members like Susan that makes such a mission, a success. Thanks Susan and all the very best to the team.
48
Susan Finley for President.
2
If we as humans can acomplish such a wonderful thing, can we not end pollution, war, discrimination, hate, poverty, etc. - and discover universal love?
69
Probably not. Because we are humans
11
Amen... and this is why we need to continue to fund NASA.
We know the space program has given us all kinds of tech we use everyday from cell phones to heart pumps and freeze dried food, but did you know about NASA's many current sustainability initiatives (climate change research, alternative fuels, etc)?
Neither did I, until a friend who works at Ames Research explained it to me. Media like the NYT needs to do a better job of reporting how this government agency is problem-solving earth-bound problems on behalf of all of us (and NASA needs better PR).
Check out NASA's Sustainability Portal for more info:
http://www.nasa.gov/agency/sustainability/#.V3utMFc0chY
We know the space program has given us all kinds of tech we use everyday from cell phones to heart pumps and freeze dried food, but did you know about NASA's many current sustainability initiatives (climate change research, alternative fuels, etc)?
Neither did I, until a friend who works at Ames Research explained it to me. Media like the NYT needs to do a better job of reporting how this government agency is problem-solving earth-bound problems on behalf of all of us (and NASA needs better PR).
Check out NASA's Sustainability Portal for more info:
http://www.nasa.gov/agency/sustainability/#.V3utMFc0chY
3
This IS what we are capable of doing and becoming if we set aside our swords for plowshares and our weapons for peace. Congratulations NASA and thank you for inspiring us.
230
Remember, two of the inventions that made this mission possible, the jet rocket and the computer, were developed during wartime, the one to carry bombs, the other to decode messages.
3
Amazing work. Congratulations and best of luck in what is an incredibly harsh environment!
48
What an outstanding job by the many talented, dedicated and creative folks at NASA, JPL and math and physics departments around the country who made this incredible accomplishment possible.