An artist's impression of the Galileo orbiter beginning to burn up as it plunges into Jupiter's atmosphere.
After 14 years, Galileo's propellant reserves were running low.
To avoid leaving the spacecraft in uncontrolled orbit and the possibility of it contaminating one of the icy moons,
the decison was taken to deliberately drive it into the atmosphere of Jupiter.
The mission ended on Sept. 21, 2003.
Source: NASA Solar System Exploration