spacetoday.net: space news from around the webin association with SpaceNews


Communications glitch slows Phoenix work
Posted: Wed, May 28, 2008, 6:25 AM ET (1025 GMT)
Phoenix image of flag and DVD (NASA/JPL/UA) A problem with a communications relay between Earth and the Phoenix Mars Lander slowed the checkout of the spacecraft, although both Phoenix and an orbiting spacecraft returned new images of the landing site Tuesday. A "transitory event" with the UHF radio on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), which serves as a relay between the lander and Earth, slowed work to check the lander's systems and preparations to unstow the lander's robotic arm. The problem isn't considered a major problem and appeared to have been resolved by Tuesday night. Another spacecraft, Mars Odyssey, can also serve as a relay should problems with MRO's radio persist. Phoenix did return some additional images of its landing site, and MRO took an image of the landing site from orbit that clearly shows the lander as well as its heat shield, backshell, and parachute.
<<previous article   next article>>
news in brief
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT)

French government leads investment in Eutelsat
Posted: Sat, Jun 21 8:38 AM ET (1238 GMT)

NASA further delays Ax-4 launch
Posted: Sat, Jun 21 8:34 AM ET (1234 GMT)

news links
Friday, July 4
The Inevitable Militarization Of Space?
Eurasia Review — 9:40 am ET (1340 GMT)


about spacetoday.net   ·   info@spacetoday.net   ·   mailing list