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Trajectory Figures and Data

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Venus-Earth-Earth Gravity Assist Path to Jupiter The Galileo VEEGA Trajectory to Jupiter

Like Voyager and some other previous interplanetary missions, Galileo used planetary gravitational fields as auxiliary propulsion stages. The spacecraft dipped into the gravitational fields of Venus and Earth to pick up enough velocity to get to Jupiter, hence, the trajectory was named the Venus-Earth-Earth Gravity Assist. Total trip time exceeds six years.

Spacecraft flight path on Arrival Day Path of Spacecraft at Arrival

On arrival day (December 7, 1995), the Orbiter skims 1,000 km above Io, picking up a gravity-assist, and then subsequently flies over the descending Probe so that the Probe can relay its data to the Orbiter. About an hour after the Relay, the 400N engine will burn for nearly an hour to place Galileo into Jupiter orbit.

Probe descent mission, including Temperature, Pressure, and Elapsed Time Probe Descent Mission

This figure shows the path of the Probe through Jupiter's atmosphere, starting with the Probe entering the atmosphere, the parachute deploying, and then the range of temperatures and pressures that the Probe will travel through.

Spacecraft flight path through 2-year, 11-orbit missionGalileo's Eleven Orbit Trek Around Jupiter

Often referred to as a "petal plot" because of its resemblance to a drawing of a flower, this figure shows the orientation of Galileo's eleven orbits.

Jupiter Orbital Tour

Dates of closest approach to each targetted satellite, along with the altitude of the flyby, the scientific objectives of each orbit, and other related information, is available in text form.

Galileo distances and speeds

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