The fate of NASA's Juno probe, a spinning spacecraft orbiting Jupiter, is shrouded in uncertainty. While it may have completed its mission, the space agency remains tight-lipped.
Launched in 2011 and entering Jupiter's orbit in 2016, Juno's original 20-month mission has now spanned nearly a decade, delivering groundbreaking research on the Jovian system. Its extended lifespan has allowed it to observe Jupiter's gas giant nature, its numerous moons, and its faint ring system, far exceeding initial expectations.
NASA's multiple mission extensions, the most recent in 2021, had guaranteed Juno's operations until September 30, 2025. However, with that date passed and the U.S. government shutdown in effect, there's been no official word on Juno's status.
The probe's latest extension broadened its focus from Jupiter's interior and magnetosphere to include its rings and observations of its large moons. This expansion was seen as a significant step towards achieving the breadth of science goals typically associated with flagship missions, as stated by Lori Glaze, NASA's planetary science division director at the time.
Over the years, Juno has conducted close flybys of moons like Ganymede, Europa, and Io, providing valuable data on their geological features, environments, and compositions. It has also studied Jupiter's faint ring system and continued mapping the planet's powerful magnetic and gravitational fields.
These findings have been instrumental in preparing for future missions like Europa Clipper, NASA's next major Jupiter spacecraft. Launched in October 2024, Europa Clipper is scheduled to arrive at Jupiter in April 2030, specifically to study the moon Europa. Ending Juno's mission before Europa Clipper's arrival would create a significant gap in dedicated observations of this region of our solar system, leaving scientists without new data for years.
In an email to Space.com, Molly Wasser, NASA Planetary Science Division Media Lead, confirmed that Juno's mission was extended to September 2025, adding that "NASA will abide by the law" regarding the mission's future.
Due to the government shutdown, NASA is currently unable to confirm whether Juno is still operational or has been powered down. Agency officials' responses at the time of publication stated that "NASA is currently closed due to a lapse in government funding ... Please reach back out after an appropriation or continuing resolution is approved."
Under shutdown rules, only "excepted activities" - those essential for protecting life, property, or national security - can continue operations or communications. NASA's continuity plans also limit the application of carryover funding to "presidential priorities," further restricting the science programs that can proceed during a funding lapse.
Juno does not fall under these protected categories, and it was also zeroed out in the President's fiscal year 2026 budget request, suggesting it is not a priority. Thus, until regular government operations resume, Juno's future remains uncertain.
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