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Galileo Countdown

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.

There is no close flyby of a satellite planned for Orbit 5. Galileo is out of communication due to solar conjunction when the Sun will be between Jupiter and Earth. This orbit is referred to as Jupiter 5 since it is on the fifth orbit of the 11 orbit tour. Galileo will makes its closest approach to Jupiter on January 19, 1997 during this orbit.

Galileo News

• Where's Galileo Right Now? (Updated every minute!)
• Today on Galileo
• Galileo Status Reports

Galileo Events

• Galileo Science Briefing (January 17, 1997)
• Europa 4 "Where on Earth" Photo Contest
• Jupiter 5 Timeline

Fact Sheets

• Europa Fact Sheet
• Ganymede Fact Sheet
• Callisto Fact Sheet
• Amalthea Fact Sheet

• Coming Soon!

Previous Galileo Countdown Pages

• Europa 4 (December 19, 1996).
• Callisto 3 (November 4, 1996).
• Ganymede 2 (September 6, 1996).
• Ganymede 1 (June 27, 1996).
• Jupiter Orbit Insertion (December 7, 1995).