Phoenix arm begins deployment
Posted: Thu, May 29, 2008, 4:47 AM ET (0847 GMT)
The robotic arm on NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander began its deployment on Wednesday after project engineers worked around a communications glitch that temporarily slowed the checkout of the lander. Engineers issued commands on Wednesday to begin the deployment of the arm, a two-day process, and expected to receive images on Thursday confirming the arm had started to move from its stowed position on the lander's deck. The arm will eventually be used to dig into the soil around the landing site, scooping up material to be analyzed by instruments on the lander. The mission is using the UHF link on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft as its primary relay for communicating with the lander after a similar radio on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter malfunctioned earlier in the week.
The robotic arm on NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander began its deployment on Wednesday after project engineers worked around a communications glitch that temporarily slowed the checkout of the lander. Engineers issued commands on Wednesday to begin the deployment of the arm, a two-day process, and expected to receive images on Thursday confirming the arm had started to move from its stowed position on the lander's deck. The arm will eventually be used to dig into the soil around the landing site, scooping up material to be analyzed by instruments on the lander. The mission is using the UHF link on the Mars Odyssey spacecraft as its primary relay for communicating with the lander after a similar radio on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter malfunctioned earlier in the week.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, February 9
Calling ET: Your chance to send a message to alien life
The Daily Telegraph — 7:42 am ET (1242 GMT) CU-equipped craft to launch on Wednesday
Denver Post — 7:41 am ET (1241 GMT) Crew inspects shuttle after launch, heads for space station
CNN — 7:40 am ET (1240 GMT) Endeavour Inspection Shows No Launch Damage
Central Florida News 13 — 7:40 am ET (1240 GMT) What's next? No rush. 'We've got plenty of time'
Huntsville Times — 7:40 am ET (1240 GMT) |