Deep Impact scores a bullseye
Posted: Mon, Jul 4, 2005, 11:27 AM ET (1527 GMT)
A probe from NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft collided with the nucleus of comet Tempel 1 early Monday as scientists declared the mission a "smashing success". The prove. which deployed from the main spacecraft early Sunday, hit the nucleus at 1:52 am EDT (0552 GMT). Cameras on the probe returned images of ever-increasing detail of the nucleus' surface as it approached, revealing craters, ridges, and other features. The impact itself created a brilliant plume of material, far more prominent that scientists predicted, that was clearly seen by the main spacecraft as it flew past the comet. A handful of images and other data were returned by the spacecraft, with the rest to be downlinked in the days to come.
A probe from NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft collided with the nucleus of comet Tempel 1 early Monday as scientists declared the mission a "smashing success". The prove. which deployed from the main spacecraft early Sunday, hit the nucleus at 1:52 am EDT (0552 GMT). Cameras on the probe returned images of ever-increasing detail of the nucleus' surface as it approached, revealing craters, ridges, and other features. The impact itself created a brilliant plume of material, far more prominent that scientists predicted, that was clearly seen by the main spacecraft as it flew past the comet. A handful of images and other data were returned by the spacecraft, with the rest to be downlinked in the days to come.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
|
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, January 28
Europe Needs Space Spending To Rise To 33% Of U.S. Levels: ESA Boss
Aviation Week — 5:18 am ET (1018 GMT) EU's answer to Starlink should start up in 2029, commissioner says
Reuters — 5:15 am ET (1015 GMT) Defence Commissioner calls for European Space Command
EurActiv — 5:10 am ET (1010 GMT) Actress-Turned-CEO Raises $100 Million for Space-Antenna Firm
Bloomberg News — 5:10 am ET (1010 GMT) Northwood Space’s $100 Million Funding Round Shows Interest in Space Tech Is Surging
Inc. — 5:09 am ET (1009 GMT) |
