NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Gears Up for a Year of Missions and Milestones
Pasadena, Calif. – NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is gearing up for a busy year of missions and milestones, with launches and anniversaries marking a period of excitement for space exploration.
Upcoming Launches:
- Psyche Mission: Scheduled for launch in August 2023, the Psyche mission will explore the metal asteroid 16 Psyche, providing insights into the formation of Earth and other rocky planets.
- Dragonfly Mission: Launching in June 2027, Dragonfly will be the first rotorcraft to explore the surface of another planet, Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.
- Europa Clipper Mission: The Europa Clipper mission is set to launch in October 2024 to investigate Jupiter’s ocean-bearing moon, Europa.
Mission Milestones:
- James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): The JWST, launched in December 2021, continues to capture stunning images of the universe, including the deepest and most detailed infrared image ever taken.
- Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover: The Perseverance rover, which landed on Mars in February 2021, is currently searching for signs of ancient life and collecting rock samples for eventual return to Earth.
- NExT/Artemis 1: NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft will attempt a launch on February 12, 2023, marking the first uncrewed flight of the Artemis program, which aims to land humans back on the Moon.
- Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope (Roman): The Roman telescope, scheduled for launch in 2027, will study dark energy and dark matter, and its ability to measure the expansion rate of the universe.
Anniversaries:
- Pioneer 10: Launched in 1972, Pioneer 10 became the first spacecraft to leave the solar system. It celebrated its 50th anniversary on March 3, 2022.
- Voyager 1 and 2: Launched in 1977, Voyager 1 and 2 are the farthest spacecraft in human history, having reached the edge of the solar system and entered interstellar space.
- Hubble Space Telescope: The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, continues to provide breathtaking images and scientific discoveries, and is celebrating its 33rd anniversary in April.
“JPL is at the forefront of space exploration, and this upcoming year promises to be one of our busiest and most important ever,” said Laurie Leshin, director of JPL. “We are excited to launch new missions, celebrate milestones, and push the boundaries of human knowledge.”
JPL, a division of Caltech, manages the development and operation of NASA’s robotic missions to the solar system and beyond. With a rich history of innovation and scientific discoveries, JPL plays a vital role in advancing space exploration and expanding our understanding of the universe.
NASA JPL Prepping for Full Year of Launches, Mission Milestones
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