Video: 'Lessons from NASA's Galileo Probe | How the Universe Works'

(Thursday, December 7, 1995, 22:04 UTC) — A science probe riding aboard NASA’s Galileo spacecraft pierced Jupiter’s cloud tops today, giving researchers their first direct look inside the giant planet’s turbulent atmosphere.

The 746-pound probe barreled into Jupiter at about 106,000 mph, generating a flash as bright as the sun as it hit the planet’s hydrogen-rich upper layers. The capsule then descended through ammonia clouds and deeper reddish-brown layers, slowing by parachute as it encountered hurricane-force winds, violent storms and likely bolts of lightning.

Instruments measured temperature, density and chemical composition during the descent.

Meanwhile, Galileo successfully fired its main engine for 49 minutes to brake into orbit, becoming the first spacecraft to enter long-term orbit around one of the solar system’s outer giants. Mission officials said initial data showed the maneuver worked as planned.

“We are not only in orbit but in a good orbit,” project manager William O’Neil said.

NASA expects months of detailed observations and images as Galileo begins its tour of Jupiter and its moons.