Post by glactus on Feb 29, 2008 17:50:22 GMT
The phoenix lander
When the Phoenix lander hits the Martian atmosphere at over 20,000 km/h, at least it will feel safe in the knowledge that it has three buddies looking out for it.
NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars Odyssey are already preparing for Phoenix’s arrival, and now ESA's Mars Express has been asked to assist in watching the lander's 13-minute decent.
ESA's Mars Express
The Phoenix Mars Mission will land on the Red Planet on May 25th of this year to search for evidence of life on Mars and seek out some good regions for future manned settlements.
However, before it can begin its work, Phoenix must dive through the Martian atmosphere at high speed and complete a 13-minute entry, decent and landing (EDL phase). This is a critical part of any planetary lander mission. As highlighted by the British Beagle 2 lander when it separated from Mars Express in 2004, nobody should be complacent about atmospheric re-entry.
Flight controllers had already begun adjusting Mars Express' phase in November last year to optimize its orbit so it can get the best possible view of Phoenix's entry. Orbital adjustments already had to be made, so NASA's request did not cost too much in additional fuel.
Having already been tested, ESA scientists are confident Mars Express will perform excellently:
Mars scientist
credits:
Original source: The European Space Agency. Filed under: Mars, Space Flight.
This is part text only. See image, full text and all scientists involved at universetoday.com
www.universetoday.com/2008/02/28/nasa-and-esa-orbiters-join-forces-to-prepare-for-phoenixs-arrival-on-may-25th-2008/#more-12997
article credit: Ian O'neill