Galileo - Countdown to Ganymede

2 days 6 hours 40 minutes 59 seconds

sinceGanymede 1 Closest Approach!

Galileo's View of Jupiter (Computer Generated Image)

Another Galileo View of Jupiter
Computer Generated Image, 30 Degree Field of View

Overhead View of Jupiter (UTC). The green line is the Galileo orbiter's trajectory. The orbits of the four Galilean satellites are shown (from the center, Io, Europa, Ganymede and Callisto). The direction towards the Sun and the Earth is towards the top of the image.

These images are updated daily.

Galileo's Orbital Tour

Galileo's orbital tour consists of 11 different elliptical orbits around Jupiter. Each orbit (except one) includes a close flyby and gravity assist of one of the Galilean moons (Ganymede, Callisto or Europa) near the inner (Jupiter) end of the orbit. Distant scientific encounters with additional satellites are scheduled for a number of orbits, and the spacecraft will observe Io at medium range on every orbit.

The first of these satellite swingbys is with Ganymede was successfully performed on June 27, 1996 (also referred to as Ganymede 1). Careful targeting allows each flyby to direct the spacecraft on to its next satellite encounter and the spacecraft's next orbit around Jupiter. During the orbital tour, Galileo will fly by Ganymede four times, Callisto three, and Europa three.

Orbital Tour Highlights