NASA’s solar-powered Juno spacecraft lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida at 12:25 p.m., Friday to begin a five-year journey to Jupiter.
Juno’s study of the largest planet in the solar system will help reveal Jupiter’s origin and evolution.
Jupiter is expected to help scientists understand the origin of the solar system and planetary systems around other stars.
“Today, with the launch of the Juno spacecraft, NASA began a journey to yet another new frontier,” NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said. “The future of exploration includes cutting-edge science like this to help us better understand our solar system and an ever-increasing array of challenging destinations.”
