Jupiter-bound space probe blasted off atop an Atlas V rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Friday, beginning a five-year trip to the solar system's largest planet. The Juno spacecraft launched at 12:25 pm (1625 GMT), nearly an hour later than planned after ground crews had to conduct tests on a possible problem with the rocket's helium system and a boat sailed too close in the waters off the spaceport. Juno is expected to reach Jupiter's orbit by July 2016 and then orbit the planet for one year. It is expected to graze Jupiter'shighest clouds at a distance of 5,000 kilometres from the surface.
