Craft Nears Tricky Mars Orbit Amid Nail-Biting Time at NASA

Topper

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 — The most advanced spacecraft ever sent to Mars will soon enter the most critical phase of its mission: slowing down enough to go into orbit around the planet.
For the full story click here

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Freddie Flintoff is back

MrGlum1

seven months of nail-biting - must be like a month long anxiety attack! So, what do they do in the meantime? Something else until a reminder comes up on the electronic diary saying " if you don't get up early and turn the rockets on your spacecraft is toast". Must be a bit like war - 99% boredom/1% panic.

Channel Hopper

Grow their nails I suppose.
The report didn't say 'the most advanced craft launched by Earthlings' though, maybe the US know something we dont .....

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

T_G

I wonder if they used miles or KM in their calculations -- or both??

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Channel Hopper

Not again I hope. Those students were able to get away with $480M once.

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness"

Sir Bronking

Mars-Bound Spacecraft on Track for Arrival Today
03.10.06 -- NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is on course to pass above Mars' surface while firing engines to brake itself into orbit this afternoon. Navigation has been so good that the last three of five opportunities for mid-course corrections during the seven-month trip from Earth were not needed. NASA TV and Web coverage start at 3:30 p.m.
+ Latest news release
+ For media: Audio clips from Mar. 10, noon, briefing
Podcast: Approaching the Red Planet:
+ Listen now | + Sign up for podcasts
+ Arrival press kit (961Kb - PDF)
Where is MRO? Simulated Views:
+ View of Mars from MRO | + More Views

Spacecraft Milestones During Orbit Insertion

Expected time of events (in Eastern)

4:07 p.m.: Turn to burn attitude4:24 p.m.: Orbit insertion burn begins4:46 p.m.: Behind Mars / expected loss of signal4:51 p.m.: Orbit insertion burn ends 5:16 p.m.: Re-emerges from behind Mars5:16 p.m.: Re-acquisition of signal5:30 p.m.:Health and status report

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