After five years, NASA's Juno mission is close to arriving at Jupiter, becoming the second spacecraft in history to orbit a planet.

  • Juno spacecraft close to arriving at Jupiter
  • Juno launched back in 2011
  • It would become the secon spacecraft in history to orbit a planet

While most Americans are enjoying fireworks light up the night sky, NASA and space enthusiasts alike are looking to Jupiter.

Juno, a solar-powered spacecraft built as part of a 20-month, $1.1 billion mission, will circle the planet 37 times.

According to NASA, Juno has a special camera that will allow it to take up-close pictures.

Juno was launched back in 2011 and has been making its way to Jupiter ever since. The goal of the mission is to give scientists a glimpse into Jupiter's cloud-soaked atmosphere and map the interior from a vantage point above the poles. Scientists hope to answer several questions, including whether the planet has a solid core.

If all goes well, it will be another milestone for NASA. The agency’s New Horizons space probe conducted an eagerly-anticipated Pluto fly-by last July, sending back brilliant images and data.

NASA says it will be about 12:30 a.m. ET before Juno sends back tones indicating whether it has completed engine firing.

To watch updates from the mission live, click here.