‘UPDATE (CORRECTION): the time of the rocket burn is 1:24 p.m. Pacific time, not Eastern as I originally said in this entry. I have corrected that in the text below.
The next big step to the Red Planet, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, will perform a critical rocket firing Friday at 1:24 p.m. Eastern Pacific time. This will slow it enough and aim it such that it will be captured by the planet, causing it to enter a closed, highly elliptical orbit. Over the next few months it will dip into the martian atmosphere in a process called "aerobraking", which will further reduce the probe’s velocity, which in turn will lower and circularize the orbit. Plans are for science observations to begin in earnest in November of this year.
But that all-important 27 minute backwards thrust is the first step. I’ll have more information here as it comes in.’
March 9th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
Speaking of Mars, this reminds me: There’s a new IMAX movie out now called “Roving Mars”. I just saw it a few days ago, and I must recommend it to anyone interested in the current exploration of Mars.
It’s quite excellent. There are lots of scenes of Spirit & Opportunity being assembled & tested preflight, and very photorealistic CGI of the probes landing on and roving the Red Planet.
Just as an interesting side note, the film is directed by George Butler, the documentarian who did “Pumping Iron”.
March 9th, 2006 at 6:44 pm
This is really exciting-I’m keeping my fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong!!
BTW, I’m sure you hear this alot… but you look more like a college freshman than a scientist. Do the other astronomers tease you about looking so young?
Omni
March 9th, 2006 at 7:52 pm
I hope the aerobraking calculations weren’t done by the same guys who couldn’t figure out if that golf ball would be a problem for the ISS.
March 9th, 2006 at 7:55 pm
Phil,
I found this ad on your main site
http://www.paidsurveysonline.com/?hop=holtebook9
This has to be a scam. Iy preys on poor people’s delusions. You should ban this ad.
thx
kd
March 9th, 2006 at 8:07 pm
Omni, well, that picture was taken 20 years ago…
Actually it was in 2001. But thanks! Other astronomers tease me for lots of reasons, but my illusion of youth isn’t one of them.
March 9th, 2006 at 10:47 pm
If you’re interested and at a good internet connection, you can catch the NASA TV broadcast via their website (yeah, duh for many, I suppose, but just in case
).
Video is at http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/
Schedule at http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/MM_NTV_Breaking.html
Watching with crossed fingers here!!
March 10th, 2006 at 9:03 am
Actually, the orbit insertion burn starts at 1:24 PACIFIC time. It’s 4:24 Eastern time.
March 10th, 2006 at 11:13 am
ToSeek Says:
March 10th, 2006 at 9:03 am
Actually, the orbit insertion burn starts at 1:24 PACIFIC time. It’s 4:24 Eastern time.
Thanks “ToSeek”, I forgot the different time zone as I was about to post that I had to stay awake only another 11 minutes to celebrate it. Whether I can wake up in 3 odd hours is another matter. And I’m in Australia, it’s just after 5am and I haven’t been to bed yet. Hoping the burn goes well.
Ivan.
March 10th, 2006 at 11:28 am
Oops! Thanks ToSeek. I fixed it.
March 12th, 2006 at 2:33 pm
Kevin,
I haven’t read the particular ebook advertised here, but I know my nephew considers filling out surveys to provide a good part-time income. After his full-time job, he spends half-an-hour or so filling out online surveys and makes $15 to $20 a day. It’s not a lot, but it helps pay the bills.
Bill