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NASA's Juno spacecraft malfunctioned before passing over Jupiter

Thursday, 20 October 2016 2:21 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 20 October 2016 2:23 PM ]

This NASA photo obtained July 4, 2016 shows a model of the Juno spacecraft at a news briefing, held before Juno enters orbit around Jupiter, on June 30, 2016 at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by AFP)

The US Space Agency has announced that its Juno spacecraft has hit another snag.

NASA says Juno has lost the key computer and scientific devices before starting a mission to make an orbital pass near Jupiter.

Juno restarted its on-board computer and can communicate with Earth, but its activities are limited until engineers analyze what's been wrong.

It's the second setback in less than a week for the solar-powered spacecraft. Last week, engineers postponed the burn of Juno’s main rocket motor after two valves failed to properly open.

Scientists say the mission goals are not impacted by Juno's orbit, since critical measurements are taken whenever the spacecraft flies close to Jupiter. Juno reached Jupiter in July for a 20-month study to explore its poles, atmosphere and interior.

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