Nasa’s Juno space probe orbiting Jupiter went into “safe mode” with cameras and instruments offline just as it prepared to pass over the immense planet’s dense cloud tops, the space agency said. On Mars, scientists with the European Space Agency lost contact with the Schiaparelli experimental lander that was supposed to touch down. Schiaparelli lander's planned descent to Mars Schiaparelli lander’s planned descent to MarsFor Juno it is the second setback in less than a week. The solar-powered craft has been orbiting Jupiter since July on a $1.1bn mission to explore its poles, atmosphere and interior. The Juno mission was designed to fly closer to Jupiter than previous spacecraft, coming within 2,500 miles of the surface.

Source: The Guardian October 20, 2016 02:21 UTC