Everything you need to know about NASA's 'Juno Mission'

This July 4th may be the most stellar since 1776. NASA's Juno spacecraft is quickly approaching Jupiter, the largest gas giant in our solar system, reaching speeds of 150,000 miles per hour, assisted by the planet's huge gravitational pull. Juno is currently headed toward Jupiter's north pole and is expected to reach the Jovian planet's orbit by roughly 9 p.m. PDT tonight.

Was it a success? Watch live here:

JUNO to JUPITER: Here We Come!

It's almost nail biting time here at JPL. Juno finally moving into the most frightening part of its journey to Jupiter. The insertion into the planets orbit. By all accounts this could be dicey. There's a reason scientists on this mission call Jupiter a big bad planet. It has the harshest environment of any planet and at 7:30 tonight the final leg of the journey scientists have all been waiting for begins as Juno enters an atmosphere so unpredictable because of the millions of electrons moving at the speed of light.

Heidi Becker is the Lead Radiation Investigation She says,"These are high energy electrons that are so energetic that they're moving at the speed of light."

She compares them to machine gun bullets and says there will be millions of them.

If all goes as planned at 7:30 Juno will arrive over the planet's North Pole. An engine burn will take place at 8:18 pm (Pacific Time) to slow the spacecraft. The burn will be completed at 8:53 and, then, at 9:30 pm Juno will turn toward the sun. Since this is a solar powered probe if there is no power Juno can't operate.

Copyright 2016 FOX 11 Los Angeles : Download our mobile app for breaking news alerts or to watch FOX 11 News | Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram , and YouTube . Be a citizen journalist for FOX 11 and get paid - download the Fresco News App today.