Processing on NASA’s Juno spacecraft proceeds with the spacecraft getting placed directly into its payload fairing last July 18, 2011. The payload fairing functions as a protective cocoon which will shield Juno from the elements throughout the first 205 seconds of the spacecraft’s ascent to orbit. The encapsulation procedure is anticipated to take about 4 days.
Last Friday, July 15, the Juno group utilized a procedure referred to as gamma-ray radiography to examine solder connections leading to a heater element aboard one of Juno’s two magnetometers. The final results of the inspection suggested there was an ample amount of solder connecting wire leads to the heater, allowing it to function successfully throughout its mission.