Finally an explanation that makes sense - though Buck's concept of configuring the safe mode of a regularly malfunctioning spacecraft to be "normal" operation seems like a pretty good technique -

The part that is puzzling (to me, anyway) is suspending operations for Galileo's final approach to Jupiter - I suppose that the orbital mechanics must be preventing the normal return of data, either magnetic or optical - if not, then it would apperar that a little heat would need to be applied - the opportunity will not come again for a long, long time

I wonder what the surface meter resolution of the ESO VLT will be for the study of different planetary bodies within our solar system?

ep