Exploring Jupiter with NASA spacecraft Juno

It took five years for this spacecraft to reach Jupiter, and its journey is coming to an end.

Sunday we visited the Journey Museum to learn about Juno's new discoveries.

NASA's spacecraft Juno has been orbiting Jupiter for a year and a half now.

Juno can peer below the clouds and all the way down to Jupiter's core.

Through this journey, scientists have discovered that the giant planet's core may not be solid like they originally thought.

Tom Durkin says studying our solar system is great not only for the sake of learning but also for developing technology here on Earth.

South Dakota Space Grant Consortium Deputy Director Tom Durkin says, "Whether it's communications, whether it's laser technology, whether it is rocket propulsion, and computers. That kind of thing. All of these cutting-edge technologies that we develop by investing in space exploration can then be spun-off and used here on Earth."

Juno will continue to orbit for another six months.

After that, NASA will fire its rockets and burn Juno in the atmosphere of Jupiter.

Durkin says robotic missions are less expensive if they are one-way.