The Juno spacecraft, which has been performing rounds around Jupiter and is managed by NASA since the year 2016, could have silently left the mission two years ago, but nobody can confirm yet whether it is switched off. Its most recent extension is due to expire on September 30, 2025, and at the same time a U.S. government shutdown. The outcome: the future of the probe is uncertain as statements are suppressed with funds locked away.
Mission Extensions and Scientific Achievement
According to NASA, the Juno was expected to take 20 months of mission originally but the mission has exceeded its expected limits to the point of its most recent extension to September 2025. During its lifetime, Juno has explored the deepest interior of Jupiter, mapped its magnetic and gravitational fields, photographed its polar cyclones, and has flown by several moons, including Ganymede, Europa, and Io–as well as attempting to conduct research into the dim system of rings encircling Jupiter. Even the tools on the probe have been able to detect phenomena like transient bolide impacts in the atmosphere of Jupiter.
Uncertain Status
Due to the expiration of Juno extension before U.S federal funding lapses, NASA is not in a position to ascertain the status of the probe. Shutdown rules only allow so-called excepted activities, which are necessary to life, property, or national security; Juno is none of the aforementioned. Additionally, Juno was not included in the President in the FY 2026 budgetary request, and this makes it more complicated to get any assistance within this time frame. Until the appropriations are reinstated or a fresh extension requested, scientists and the general population must wait to find out whether Juno has continued in a silent operation or has permanently ceased to exist.
