2016Jul, 5
The Juno space probe arrives at Jupiter.
Juno is a NASA space probe orbiting the planet Jupiter. It was built by Lockheed Martin and is operated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 5 August 2011 UTC, as part of the New Frontiers program. Juno entered a polar orbit of Jupiter on 5 July 2016 UTC, to begin a scientific investigation of the planet. After completing its mission, Juno will be intentionally deorbited into Jupiter's atmosphere.Juno's mission is to measure Jupiter's composition, gravitational field, magnetic field, and polar magnetosphere. It will also search for clues about how the planet formed, including whether it has a rocky core, the amount of water present within the deep atmosphere, mass distribution, and its deep winds, which can reach speeds up to 620 km/h (390 mph).Juno is the second spacecraft to orbit Jupiter, after the nuclear powered Galileo orbiter, which orbited from 1995 to 2003. Unlike all earlier spacecraft sent to the outer planets, Juno is powered by solar panels, commonly used by satellites orbiting Earth and working in the inner Solar System, whereas radioisotope thermoelectric generators are commonly used for missions to the outer Solar System and beyond. For Juno, however, the three largest solar panel wings ever deployed on a planetary probe play an integral role in stabilizing the spacecraft as well as generating power.
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Events on 2016
- 23Jun
United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016
The United Kingdom votes in a referendum to leave the European Union, by 52% to 48%. - 13Jul
David Cameron
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron resigns, and is succeeded by Theresa May. - 31Aug
Impeachment of Dilma Rousseff
Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff is impeached and removed from office. - 8Nov
2016 Indian banknote demonetisation
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announces withdrawal of ₹500 and ₹1000 denomination banknotes effective midnight, making 86% of the currency in circulation invalid. - 7Dec
Aleppo offensive (November-December 2016)
Syrian army continues large-scale attack and controls the revival (Sheikh Lutfi, Marja, Bab al-Nairab, Maadi, Al-Salhin) in the east of Aleppo backed by Russian Air Force and Iranian militias.