The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the primary US hub for the robotic exploration of the solar system. It designs, builds, and operates deep-space probes, planetary rovers, and Earth-orbiting science missions. It also manages the Deep Space Network used to communicate with spacecraft beyond Earth orbit.
Heard on the job
We're sending the telemetry data back to JPL for the trajectory analysis.
Insider tip
Although primarily a NASA center, JPL is staffed by Caltech employees rather than civil servants.