Galileo (spacecraft)

Quick Facts: Who was Galileo (spacecraft)?

Subject:

Galileo (spacecraft)

Known for:

NASA robotic probe studying Jupiter, its moons, and outer solar system bodies.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Galileo was an American robotic space probe that studied the planet Jupiter and its moons, as well as the asteroids Gaspra and Ida. Named after the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, it consisted of an orbiter and an entry probe. It was delivered into Earth orbit on October 18, 1989, by Space Shuttle Atlantis, during STS-34.

Career & Major Achievements

Galileo arrived at Jupiter on December 7, 1995, after gravitational assist flybys of Venus and Earth, and became the first spacecraft to orbit an outer planet. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory built the Galileo spacecraft and managed the Galileo program for NASA. West Germany's Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm supplied the propulsion module.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

NASA's Ames Research Center managed the atmospheric probe, which was built by Hughes Aircraft Company. At launch, the orbiter and probe together had a mass of 2,562 kg (5,648 lb) and stood 6.15 m (20.2 ft) tall. Spacecraft are normally stabilized either by spinning around a fixed axis or by maintaining a fixed orientation with reference to the Sun and a star.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1989: 1989 Milestone — It was delivered into Earth orbit on October 18, 1989, by Space Shuttle Atlantis, during STS-34.
2. 1995: 1995 Milestone — Galileo arrived at Jupiter on December 7, 1995, after gravitational assist flybys of Venus and Earth, and became the first spacecraft to orbit an outer planet.

Notable Quotes by Galileo (spacecraft)

“The mission was a monumental achievement in robotic exploration.” (1995)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Galileo (spacecraft)

True or False: “True or False: Galileo was the first spacecraft to successfully orbit an outer planet, achieving this milestone in 1995.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): This is true; Galileo's arrival and subsequent stable orbit around Jupiter in 1995 marked a major milestone in planetary science.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Galileo (spacecraft)