Galileo Jupiter Orbit Insertion Quick Look

On December 7, 1995, the Galileo probe parachuted into the atmosphere of Jupiter and the Galileo orbiter performed a successful engine burn for orbit capture around the gaseous planet. Below are the actual times and performance numbers on the events on this critical day for the Galileo mission.

GALILEO JUPITER ORBIT INSERTION QUICK LOOK

SCET = Spacecraft Event Time
JOI = Jupiter Orbit Insertion

Jupiter close approach time (actual): 21:53:44 UTC/SCET
Jupiter close approach altitude (actual): 214,569 km
Io flyby altitude (actual): 892 km
Io close approach time: 17:45:58 UTC/SCET
JOI performance error: minus 0.1 percent
JOI burn duration: 49 minutes 00.4 seconds (planned 48.39)
Probe relay duration: 57.6 minutes (A channel); 46 minutes (B channel)
Probe relay check 1: 3:04 p.m. PST/ERT; confirmed: 3:10 p.m.
Probe depth at end of relay: 160 kilometers below cloud tops
Probe data playback (tape): Jan. 3 - April 15
symbol: Jan 03 - Jan 16
tape: Jan 25 - Feb 24 (partial)
tape: Mar 03 - Mar 11 (partial)
tape: Mar 26 - Apr 15
Perijove raise maneuver: March 14, 19:15 UTC-SCET (burn start)
Jupiter tour software load: 6 May to 22 June (exact dates TBD)
Ganymede 1 encounter: 27-Jun-1996

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