Galileo was launched on October 18, 1989, on a five-year trajectory to Jupiter. On the way, Galileo's flight path took it on a flyby of Venus in February 1990, then of Earth in December 1990. These flyby encounters provided gravity assists to help the spacecraft gain enough velocity to reach Jupiter. A second Earth gravity assist in December 1992 followed a scientific flyby of the asteroid Gaspra in October 1991. A second asteroid encounter with the main-belt asteroid Ida, came in 1993. In July 1995 Galileo released a probe to descend into the Jovian atmosphere December 7 as the main Galileo spacecraft, the orbiter, flew by overhead to collect the probes scientific data. The interplanetary orbital elements for the flight path up to this point are given in another file which precedes this one.
Earlier that day the orbiter spacecraft flew by the Jovian moon Io for a gravity assist, and later it used it rocket engine to go into the first of 11 orbits about Jupiter which would include flybys of the moons Ganymede, Europa and Callisto.
The following are classic orbital elements for the Galileo orbiter spacecraft after the atmospheric probe separated from it, as it went into Jovian orbit and then carried out the orbital tour, as updated in early 1996 by the Galileo Navigational Team at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The coordinate system is Earth Mean Ecliptic, 1950 Equinox.
Dates (in year/month/day format) and times (in 24-hour format) are both in Universal Time (UTC), also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
JUPITER CENTRAL BODY CHANGE TO IO, ORBIT 0:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2449974.45685 ET (95/09/13
22:56:51 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450059.24097 ET (95/12/07
17:45:59 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2449974.45685 ET (95/09/13
22:56:51 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -4103077.3 km
Eccentricity 1.070722
Inclination 5.149 degree
Node Angle 58.934 degree
Arg of Periapsis 90.684 degree
Mean Anomaly -569.528 degree
----------
IO, ORBIT 0, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450059.24097 ET (95/12/07
17:45:59 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Io centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -27.0 km
Eccentricity 101.508187
Inclination 10.301 degree
Node Angle -140.302 degree
Arg of Periapsis -58.455 degree
Mean Anomaly 22.437 degree
----------
IO, ORBIT 0, TO JOI BURN START:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450059.24097 ET (95/12/07
17:45:59 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450059.51975 ET (95/12/08
00:27:25 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450059.24097 ET (95/12/07
17:45:59 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -5871176.2 km
Eccentricity 1.048704
Inclination 5.352 degree
Node Angle 60.480 degree
Arg of Periapsis 90.739 degree
Mean Anomaly -.674 degree
----------
JOI BURN START TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 0:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450059.51975 ET (95/12/08
00:27:25 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450158.77723 ET (96/03/16
06:38:10 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450059.51975 ET (95/12/08
00:27:25 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 9814688.8 km
Eccentricity .971233
Inclination 5.300 degree
Node Angle 60.964 degree
Arg of Periapsis 87.684 degree
Mean Anomaly .206 degree
----------
JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 0, TO GANYMEDE, ORBIT 1:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450158.77723 ET (96/03/16
06:38:10 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450261.77090 ET (96/06/27
06:29:04 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450158.77723 ET (96/03/16
06:38:10 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 10091803.7 km
Eccentricity .917105
Inclination 5.357 degree
Node Angle 67.348 degree
Arg of Periapsis 81.352 degree
Mean Anomaly 179.818 degree
----------
GANYMEDE, ORBIT 1, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450261.77090 ET (96/06/27
06:29:04 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Ganymede centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -179.3 km
Eccentricity 20.401721
Inclination 31.057 degree
Node Angle 85.615 degree
Arg of Periapsis 77.687 degree
Mean Anomaly -.520 degree
----------
GANYMEDE, ORBIT 1, TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 1:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450261.77090 ET (96/06/27
06:29:04 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450298.31008 ET (96/08/02
19:25:29 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450261.77090 ET (96/06/27
06:29:04 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 4970309.2 km
Eccentricity .841256
Inclination 4.152 degree
Node Angle 59.723 degree
Arg of Periapsis 96.707 degree
Mean Anomaly -3.783 degree
----------
JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 1, TO GANYMEDE, ORBIT 2:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450298.31008 ET (96/08/02
19:25:29 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450333.29214 ET (96/09/06
18:59:39 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450298.31008 ET (96/08/02
19:25:29 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 4964416.1 km
Eccentricity .843442
Inclination 4.177 degree
Node Angle 57.326 degree
Arg of Periapsis 99.096 degree
Mean Anomaly 179.962 degree
----------
GANYMEDE, ORBIT 2, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450333.29214 ET (96/09/06
18:59:39 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Ganymede centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -174.9 km
Eccentricity 17.491549
Inclination 80.005 degree
Node Angle 77.729 degree
Arg of Periapsis 88.614 degree
Mean Anomaly .065 degree
----------
GANYMEDE, ORBIT 2, TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 2:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450333.29214 ET (96/09/06
18:59:39 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450364.08036 ET (96/10/07
13:54:41 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450333.29214 ET (96/09/06
18:59:39 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 4418597.8 km
Eccentricity .827478
Inclination 2.269 degree
Node Angle -8.482 degree
Arg of Periapsis 167.120 degree
Mean Anomaly -4.663 degree
----------
JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 2, TO CALLISTO, ORBIT 3:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450364.08036 ET (96/10/07
13:54:41 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450392.06329 ET (96/11/04
13:30:06 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450364.08036 ET (96/10/07
13:54:41 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 4413984.2 km
Eccentricity .829388
Inclination 2.292 degree
Node Angle -8.611 degree
Arg of Periapsis 167.252 degree
Mean Anomaly -179.985 degree
----------
CALLISTO, ORBIT 3, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450392.06329 ET (96/11/04
13:30:06 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Callisto centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -121.2 km
Eccentricity 29.924953
Inclination 13.779 degree
Node Angle 52.705 degree
Arg of Periapsis 98.275 degree
Mean Anomaly -1.307 degree
----------
CALLISTO, ORBIT 3, TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 3:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450392.06329 ET (96/11/04
13:30:06 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450415.36666 ET (96/11/27
20:46:57 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450392.06329 ET (96/11/04
13:30:06 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 3512146.2 km
Eccentricity .814721
Inclination 1.966 degree
Node Angle -34.297 degree
Arg of Periapsis -158.705 degree
Mean Anomaly -16.814 degree
----------
JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 3, TO EUROPA, ORBIT 4:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450415.36666 ET (96/11/27
20:46:57 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450436.78853 ET (96/12/19
06:54:27 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450415.36666 ET (96/11/27
20:46:57 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 3514197.3 km
Eccentricity .813654
Inclination 1.968 degree
Node Angle -34.273 degree
Arg of Periapsis -158.660 degree
Mean Anomaly -179.935 degree
----------
EUROPA, ORBIT 4, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450436.78853 ET (96/12/19
06:54:27 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Europa centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -107.3 km
Eccentricity 22.030617
Inclination 178.208 degree
Node Angle 151.986 degree
Arg of Periapsis -179.625 degree
Mean Anomaly -1.008 degree
----------
EUROPA, ORBIT 4, TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 4:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450436.78853 ET (96/12/19
06:54:27 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450452.57414 ET (97/01/04
01:45:44 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450436.78853 ET (96/12/19
06:54:27 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 2900585.7 km
Eccentricity .776628
Inclination 1.964 degree
Node Angle -34.364 degree
Arg of Periapsis -162.364 degree
Mean Anomaly 1.977 degree
----------
JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 4, TO EUROPA NON-TARGETED, ORBIT 5:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450452.57414 ET (97/01/04
01:45:44 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450468.55103 ET (97/01/20
01:12:27 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450452.57414 ET (97/01/04
01:45:44 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 2899664.7 km
Eccentricity .777193
Inclination 1.960 degree
Node Angle -34.405 degree
Arg of Periapsis -162.329 degree
Mean Anomaly -179.948 degree
----------
EUROPA NON-TARGETED, ORBIT 5, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450468.55103 ET (97/01/20
01:12:27 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Europa centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -126.2 km
Eccentricity 229.951822
Inclination 178.240 degree
Node Angle 166.979 degree
Arg of Periapsis -173.154 degree
Mean Anomaly .445 degree
----------
EUROPA NON-TARGETED, ORBIT 5, TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 5:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450468.55103 ET (97/01/20
01:12:27 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450484.46469 ET (97/02/04
23:08:07 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450468.55103 ET (97/01/20
01:12:27 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 2898670.3 km
Eccentricity .777155
Inclination 1.966 degree
Node Angle -34.336 degree
Arg of Periapsis -162.692 degree
Mean Anomaly .366 degree
----------
JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 5, TO EUROPA, ORBIT 6:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450484.46469 ET (97/02/04
23:08:07 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450500.21110 ET (97/02/20
17:02:57 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450484.46469 ET (97/02/04
23:08:07 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 2897813.4 km
Eccentricity .777681
Inclination 1.970 degree
Node Angle -34.301 degree
Arg of Periapsis -162.723 degree
Mean Anomaly -179.982 degree
----------
EUROPA, ORBIT 6, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450500.21110 ET (97/02/20
17:02:57 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Europa centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -106.5 km
Eccentricity 21.201785
Inclination 163.660 degree
Node Angle -99.024 degree
Arg of Periapsis -93.069 degree
Mean Anomaly -.016 degree
----------
EUROPA, ORBIT 6, TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 6:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450500.21110 ET (97/02/20
17:02:57 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450521.66582 ET (97/03/14
03:57:45 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450500.21110 ET (97/02/20
17:02:57 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 3515030.3 km
Eccentricity .814544
Inclination 1.478 degree
Node Angle -31.306 degree
Arg of Periapsis -169.607 degree
Mean Anomaly -1.352 degree
----------
JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 6, TO GANYMEDE, ORBIT 7:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450521.66582 ET (97/03/14
03:57:45 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450543.79976 ET (97/04/05
07:10:37 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450521.66582 ET (97/03/14
03:57:45 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 3513041.0 km
Eccentricity .815574
Inclination 1.894 degree
Node Angle -29.007 degree
Arg of Periapsis -171.858 degree
Mean Anomaly 179.778 degree
----------
GANYMEDE, ORBIT 7, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450543.79976 ET (97/04/05
07:10:37 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Ganymede centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -143.2 km
Eccentricity 40.743747
Inclination 124.109 degree
Node Angle 66.757 degree
Arg of Periapsis 92.933 degree
Mean Anomaly -.242 degree
----------
GANYMEDE, ORBIT 7, TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 7:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450543.79976 ET (97/04/05
07:10:37 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450559.98356 ET (97/04/21
11:35:17 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450543.79976 ET (97/04/05
07:10:37 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 3030500.0 km
Eccentricity .790709
Inclination 2.532 degree
Node Angle 13.730 degree
Arg of Periapsis 142.894 degree
Mean Anomaly 9.043 degree
----------
JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 7, TO GANYMEDE, ORBIT 8:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450559.98356 ET (97/04/21
11:35:17 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450576.16506 ET (97/05/07
15:56:39 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450559.98356 ET (97/04/21
11:35:17 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 3028177.3 km
Eccentricity .792084
Inclination 2.676 degree
Node Angle 11.437 degree
Arg of Periapsis 145.214 degree
Mean Anomaly 179.822 degree
----------
GANYMEDE, ORBIT 8, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450576.16506 ET (97/05/07
15:56:39 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Ganymede centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -141.0 km
Eccentricity 30.923994
Inclination 151.567 degree
Node Angle 69.320 degree
Arg of Periapsis 92.369 degree
Mean Anomaly -1.126 degree
----------
GANYMEDE, ORBIT 8, TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 8:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450576.16506 ET (97/05/07
15:56:39 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450602.01844 ET (97/06/02
12:25:31 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450576.16506 ET (97/05/07
15:56:39 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 3914168.3 km
Eccentricity .830560
Inclination 2.316 degree
Node Angle -11.817 degree
Arg of Periapsis 163.064 degree
Mean Anomaly -5.930 degree
----------
JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 8, TO CALLISTO, ORBIT 9:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450602.01844 ET (97/06/02
12:25:31 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450625.07512 ET (97/06/25
13:47:08 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450602.01844 ET (97/06/02
12:25:31 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 3912465.8 km
Eccentricity .831357
Inclination 2.326 degree
Node Angle -11.887 degree
Arg of Periapsis 163.162 degree
Mean Anomaly 179.925 degree
----------
CALLISTO, ORBIT 9, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450625.07512 ET (97/06/25
13:47:08 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Callisto centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -115.0 km
Eccentricity 25.517103
Inclination 178.002 degree
Node Angle 97.001 degree
Arg of Periapsis 141.265 degree
Mean Anomaly .899 degree
----------
CALLISTO, ORBIT 9, TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 9:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450625.07512 ET (97/06/25
13:47:08 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450668.72932 ET (97/08/08
05:29:11 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450625.07512 ET (97/06/25
13:47:08 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 5497230.2 km
Eccentricity .860165
Inclination 2.188 degree
Node Angle -16.056 degree
Arg of Periapsis 158.024 degree
Mean Anomaly -8.312 degree
----------
JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 9, TO CALLISTO, ORBIT 10:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450668.72932 ET (97/08/08
05:29:11 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450708.51513 ET (97/09/17
00:20:45 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450668.72932 ET (97/08/08
05:29:11 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 5496492.6 km
Eccentricity .860413
Inclination 2.191 degree
Node Angle -16.094 degree
Arg of Periapsis 158.171 degree
Mean Anomaly 179.668 degree
----------
CALLISTO, ORBIT 10, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450708.51513 ET (97/09/17
00:20:45 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Callisto centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -114.4 km
Eccentricity 26.584928
Inclination 5.826 degree
Node Angle 27.762 degree
Arg of Periapsis 108.289 degree
Mean Anomaly -1.777 degree
----------
CALLISTO, ORBIT 10, TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 10:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450708.51513 ET (97/09/17
00:20:45 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450735.00208 ET (97/10/13
12:01:58 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450708.51513 ET (97/09/17
00:20:45 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 3861621.3 km
Eccentricity .830403
Inclination 1.968 degree
Node Angle -25.474 degree
Arg of Periapsis 177.184 degree
Mean Anomaly -14.340 degree
----------
JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 10, TO EUROPA, ORBIT 11:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450735.00208 ET (97/10/13
12:01:58 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450759.40780 ET (97/11/06
21:46:12 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450735.00208 ET (97/10/13
12:01:58 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 3861021.8 km
Eccentricity .830688
Inclination 1.934 degree
Node Angle -25.424 degree
Arg of Periapsis 177.183 degree
Mean Anomaly 179.850 degree
----------
EUROPA, ORBIT 11, CLOSEST APPROACH:
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450759.40780 ET (97/11/06
21:46:12 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Europa centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis -113.1 km
Eccentricity 24.786204
Inclination 65.245 degree
Node Angle 73.574 degree
Arg of Periapsis 94.329 degree
Mean Anomaly -.158 degree
----------
EUROPA, ORBIT 11, TO JUPITER APOAPSIS, ORBIT 11:
Orbital Elements valid from J.D. = 2450759.40780 ET (97/11/06
21:46:12 GMT)
to J.D. = 2450780.83877 ET (97/11/28
08:06:48 GMT)
Epoch of Orbital Elements: J.D. = 2450759.40780 ET (97/11/06
21:46:12 GMT)
Classical Orbital Elements
Jupiter centered, Earth ecliptic and equinox
of J2000
Semi-major Axis 3514918.9 km
Eccentricity .814580
Inclination 3.117 degree
Node Angle -33.263 degree
Arg of Periapsis -173.672 degree
Mean Anomaly -1.127 degree
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