Phoenix lander spotted from orbit
Posted: Sun, Nov 8, 2009, 8:08 PM ET (0108 GMT)
NASA's Mars Phoenix Lander, whose mission ended almost exactly a year ago, has been spotted in images taken in recent months by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft as the landing site emerges from winter. The images, taken in late July and August, show the lander, covered in frost, as the north polar region of the planet emerged from winter darkness. Phoenix completed a five-month mission studying the region in November 2008, and project officials have said they plan to try contacting the spacecraft again in early 2010 as spring returns to the landing site, although establishing communications with the lander after its long hibernation is considered "highly unlikely". MRO itself has been in an extended safe mode for several weeks because of a series of computer resets.
NASA's Mars Phoenix Lander, whose mission ended almost exactly a year ago, has been spotted in images taken in recent months by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) spacecraft as the landing site emerges from winter. The images, taken in late July and August, show the lander, covered in frost, as the north polar region of the planet emerged from winter darkness. Phoenix completed a five-month mission studying the region in November 2008, and project officials have said they plan to try contacting the spacecraft again in early 2010 as spring returns to the landing site, although establishing communications with the lander after its long hibernation is considered "highly unlikely". MRO itself has been in an extended safe mode for several weeks because of a series of computer resets.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Monday, October 27
Minister warned about possible Israeli use of NZ-launched satellites
1News (N.Z.) — 3:42 am ET (0742 GMT) Korea-France Space Forum highlights growing partnership in space exploration
AJP — 3:40 am ET (0740 GMT) Catalyx Space Secures $5.4 Million to Redefine How the World Moves in Space
Bharat Fast — 3:39 am ET (0739 GMT) LVM-3, set to launch satellite for Navy on November 2, moves to launchpad
The Times of India — 3:37 am ET (0737 GMT) Satellite for armed forces to be launched next week
The Hindu — 3:36 am ET (0736 GMT) |
