VIII.

Directions for Future Studies of Jupiter

Planetary scientists are interested in studying Jupiter further to learn about its interior structure, chemical composition, atmospheric circulation, heat loss, and aging processes. The next major mission planned for Jupiter is the Jupiter Polar Orbiter or Juno, as part of NASA’s New Frontiers Program of lower cost missions that began with the New Horizons flyby of Pluto. The Juno spacecraft will go into a polar orbit around Jupiter to study the composition of the planet and of its atmosphere, as well as the structure of its magnetic field. Special areas of research include whether Jupiter has an ice-rock core and how the Jovian magnetic field is generated. A major goal of the mission is to better understand how Jupiter and the other giant planets formed in the early solar system. The Juno mission is scheduled for launch in 2011 to reach Jupiter in 2016.

Astronomers have detected more than 200 planets orbiting other stars in widely varying orbits. Jupiter can serve as an accessible laboratory as scientists try to understand the limited data that can be obtained from these distant worlds. Exploration beyond the Juno mission calls for a careful study of the most important factors that can be measured, the technology required to do the job, and realistic budgetary projections. New ways to explore more efficiently are needed, including improved spacecraft power systems, miniaturization of instruments, and upgrades to Earth-based radio receiving equipment. Smaller craft could be used to make detailed maps of Jupiter’s gravitational and magnetic fields, sample its atmosphere, explore the Galilean moons, or perform other tasks.