Phoenix in safe mode
Posted: Sat, Nov 1, 2008, 8:39 AM ET (1239 GMT)
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft is in a protective safe mode but is communicating again, project officials said this week. Phoenix apparently entered the safe mode earlier this week because of declining power levels exacerbated by a dust storm. The spacecraft did not respond to communications requests Wednesday, but did regain contact with the Odyssey orbiter late Thursday. Project officials said they hope to use the communications links with orbiting spacecraft to get the spacecraft working again, a process that would take "the better part of a week" in the best-case situation. Controllers started turning off heaters and other systems on Phoenix this week to conserve power and extend the spacecraft's life as sunlight levels at the landing site decrease. Phoenix has been on the surface for over five months on a mission originally planned to last only three.
NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander spacecraft is in a protective safe mode but is communicating again, project officials said this week. Phoenix apparently entered the safe mode earlier this week because of declining power levels exacerbated by a dust storm. The spacecraft did not respond to communications requests Wednesday, but did regain contact with the Odyssey orbiter late Thursday. Project officials said they hope to use the communications links with orbiting spacecraft to get the spacecraft working again, a process that would take "the better part of a week" in the best-case situation. Controllers started turning off heaters and other systems on Phoenix this week to conserve power and extend the spacecraft's life as sunlight levels at the landing site decrease. Phoenix has been on the surface for over five months on a mission originally planned to last only three.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Saturday, May 30
What the Blue Origin rocket explosion means for Amazon’s satellite ambitions
CNBC — 4:32 am ET (0832 GMT) Space rally gets reality check with Blue Origin blowup
Bloomberg News — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) United Launch Alliance Precisely Delivers Seventh Amazon Leo Mission, Advancing Constellation Toward Commercial Service
United Launch Alliance — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Blue Origin’s Launch Pad Explosion Could Impact Timelines for Commercial Customers, NASA Missions
ViaSatellite — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Blue Origin rocket explosion: What we know about blast in Cape Canaveral
WESH-TV Orlando — 4:21 am ET (0821 GMT) |
