[mikeash]

Strictly speaking, the probe will be spending most of its time at distances like these. That's the nature of elliptical orbits. But it'll spend enough time up close to get some great pictures.

And yes, photos weren't a priority at all. If it were just a matter of returning scientifically useful data, they wouldn't have included this camera at all. But NASA likes pretty pictures too, so they included one.

[drzaiusapelord]

>But NASA likes pretty pictures too, so they included one.

Well, everyone does. If it wasn't for this photo we wouldn't be discussing Juno here on HN nor would this mission be in the press right now.

It seems crazy to me not to put a camera on deep space missions. The cost is trivial in the grand scheme of things.

[mikeash]

I don't know that the cost is trivial. The camera is cheap, sure, but that's weight and power and bandwidth that could be spent on something else.

However, I totally agree that it would be crazy not to include one, and whatever it costs, it's well worth it.

[dredmorbius]

Much != most.