The objectives of the Galileo mission are to investigate the chemical composition and physical state of Jupiter's atmosphere and satellites and to study the structure and physical dynamics of Jupiter's magnetosphere, that is its magnetic field. The launch date, originally scheduled for January 1982, has been delayed by over 7 years. Under previous launch schedules, the shortest cruise time - the amount of time it takes a spacecraft to reach its destination - to Jupiter was 26 months; now, under the current launch schedule, the cruise time to Jupiter, will be 72 months, an increase of almost 4 years. At the start of the project in fiscal year 1978, NASA estimated its total cost at $410.1 million. In October 1987, the cost estimate was $1,362.5 million. The increase in the cost estimate was primarily due to Shuttle launch delays, changes to the upper stage, which provides the propulsion for interplanetary trajectory, and the Challenger accident. According to the project staff, this mission is expected to exceed its initial objectives. The launch delays and the extended cruise time have allowed NASA to expand the scope of the scientific investigations and to add or enhance scientific instruments.
Space Exploration: Cost, Schedule, and Performance of NASA's Galileo Mission to Jupiter. Fact Sheet for the Chairman, Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, US Senate
1988
34 pages
Report
No indication
English
Astronautics , Extraterrestrial Exploration , Congressional reports , Galileo project , Jupiter atmosphere , Jupiter probes , Jupiter satellites , Magnetic fields , Space exploration , Cost estimates , Delay , Launch dates , Launch windows , Costs , Jupiter (Planet) , Propulsion , Schedules , Trajectories