Has NASA's Juno spacecraft reached the end of its mission orbiting Jupiter?

After nearly 10 years, NASA ’s Jupiter explorer Juno is likely no longer operating, with its latest mission extension ending during the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.

The Juno spacecraft launched from Florida in 2011, arriving at the Jovian system in 2016 and completing its first orbit. This spacecraft was built like a tank with titanium to withstand the intense radiation from Jupiter. The design also required unique engineering to provide power so far from the Sun with three solar planes spanning nearly 30 feet each.

Juno’s primary mission was completed in 2021 and then extended through Sept. 30 with 42 additional orbits of the Jovian system, including flybys of moons Ganymede, Europa and Io.

The government shutdown started on Oct. 1, and with an ongoing stalemate, NASA has been una