DAWN mission to orbit 1 Ceres & 4 Vesta.

jimfromnsf · May 21, 2007

Why are you worrying about the launch? The spacecraft could fail on its own

centsworth_II · May 21, 2007

"Why are you worrying about the launch? The spacecraft could fail on its own." Maybe he has more faith in the spacecraft than you. And is logically more fearful of events occurring before the craft is safely on its way in space, its natural environment. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

3488 · May 21, 2007

Hi jimfromsf. My apprehensions might seem trivial to you, but I was personally involved in the campaign to get DAWN re-instated after the initial Stop Work order from NASA. I know, it was only 25 days, before the decision was reversed, but for those, who know that these kind of missions are part of the future investment for our species, not to mention the scientific bonanza, for what is really small sums of money. Those of us who are interested in our Solar System & partake (BTW I am not paid for this) in the analysis of the results, we live & breathe this sort of thing. I certainly do. DAWN is a beautifully built, well engineered & with a brilliant support team, will be a huge success. 1 Ceres, 4 Vesta & 2 Pallas are giant asteroids, protoplanets that were still born, as the infant Jupiter, caused instabilities in that part of the solar system. These three objects, will be quite unlike anything we have seen up close to date. True we have high resolution images & data of 433 Eros, 243 Ida, 253 Mathilde & 951 Gaspra courtesy of Galileo & NEAR Shoemaker, but thes asteroids are small, & there is speculation, they may be chunks from larger asteroids. 1 Ceres, 4 Vesta & 2 Pallas are not. They are parent bodies. I have butterflies concerning the launch. The Delta II is a superb launch vehicle, no denying that, but it can still screw up. That is why I am quite afraid. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

jimfromnsf · May 21, 2007

Let's see. Last NASA spacecraft launch failure HETE-1 in 1996. Spacecraft failures: MCO, MPL, Contour, WIRE, MO

mithridates · May 21, 2007

That must have been a horrid 25 days. I didn't discover Ceres myself (by which I mean gain an interest in it) until after it was reinstated so I was saved the agony. Thanks for helping in getting it reinstated. That reminds me, I don't believe I got an answer to this the last time I asked: since Dawn won't be arriving there for quite some time, we have some eight years or so to get better observations of the planet before it arrives. Anybody know when any large-scale observations are planned? What kind of further detail could we obtain from Ceres here on Earth in the years before the arrival? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> ----- http://mithridates.blogspot.com </div>

centsworth_II · May 21, 2007

"Let's see. Last NASA spacecraft launch failure HETE-1 in 1996." Don't jinx it now!<img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> You know how it is. When something is important to someone, even if there is a one in a thousand chance of something going wrong, there will be concern. The trick is not to dwell on it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

chyten · May 21, 2007

AFAIK, with Contour it was a kick stage failure. Technically, part of "launch".

MeteorWayne · May 21, 2007

I don't know that there's much more we can do, other than continued development of Active Optics, and maybe larger scopes coming online. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

jimfromnsf · May 21, 2007

"AFAIK, with Contour it was a kick stage failure. Technically, part of "launch"." No, It was part of the spacecraft. The launch vehicle had no involvement. It is spacecraft propulsion just the same as the ion thruster on Dawn

h2ouniverse · May 22, 2007

Andrew, and PistolPete About possibility of clear ice on Ceres. What do you think about the following scenario: 1) ice accumulates at Ceres surface (from comets + differentiation, with or without water close to surface, when Ceres is beyond Frost Line 2) Regolith accumulates 3) Frost line crosses Ceres orbit 4) Where an impact crater locally clears the regolith, ice sublimates with a constant flow 5) The flow of sublimation prevents regolith from re-covering the impact area, making it still visible nowadays In that case Dawn should observe plumes from such areas (the sublimation flow should be constanly there). See bright spot spotted by Hubble in 2003

3488 · May 23, 2007

Hi H2O Universe. A possibility. Clearly 1 Ceres is too close to the sun for uncovered exposed surface ice, so if more recent impacts are excavating fresh ice from beneath the regolith, then yes, there would be plumes from these sites. AFAIK, a tenuous 'atmosphere' has been found around 1 Ceres, so perhaps it is a coma of sorts. That bright spot is interesting. Certainly an impact crater & think it is the large one seen on the Keck AO images. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · May 25, 2007

STATUS REPORT: ELV-052507 EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT Mission: Dawn Location: Astrotech Space Operations Facility Launch Pad: 17-B Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7925-H Launch Date: June 30, 2007 Launch Time: 4:50:13 - 5:10:13 p.m. EDT Solar array installation and deployment tests are scheduled to be completed Friday. The spacecraft is scheduled to move to the hazardous processing facility on May 28. Xenon for the Ion Propulsion System is scheduled to be loaded aboard June 1-2. Hydrazine, used for spacecraft control and maneuvering, will be loaded aboard June 6. The Delta II first stage, originally set for hoisting into the launcher on Wednesday, has been rescheduled for May 28 due to high wind conditions at Pad 17-B. This will be followed next week by attachment of the nine solid rocket boosters. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Jun 6, 2007

Hi MeteorWayne, Following on from your post, some images. Delta II first stage. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jun 6, 2007

DAWN spacecraft with deployed solar panels. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jun 6, 2007

(05/28/2007) --- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The mobile service towers on Launch Pads 17-A (left) and 17-B (right) are silhouetted against the pre-dawn sky at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. In the background are the launch gantries. Pad 17-B is the site for the launch of the Dawn spacecraft on June 30. (Pad 17-A will be for Mars Phoenix Lander). Dawn's mission is to explore two of the asteroid belt's most intriguing and dissimilar occupants: asteroid 4 Vesta and the dwarf planet 1 Ceres. Photo credit: NASA/Amanda Diller. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

3488 · Jun 6, 2007

Dawn Spacecraft Prepared for Fueling May 28-June 1 In preparation for loading xenon and hydrazine propellants, the Dawn spacecraft was moved to the fueling area at Astrotech. Final Operations Test with Spacecraft and Attachment of Solar Arrays. May 21 - 25 The final mission operations test with the spacecraft was completed successfully. Dawn's solar arrays were attached to the spacecraft and the system for deploying them in space was given one final test, which went very smoothly. The Dawn project had a large display at JPL's Open House, attended by more than 32,000 people. Telecommunications Tests Conducted and Observations of 4 Vesta Completed with the Hubble Space Telescope. May 14 - 18 The spacecraft conducted a successful series of radio communications tests with MIL-71, the facility at the Kennedy Space Center that replicates a Deep Space Network station. The Hubble Space Telescope observed 4 Vesta, the first of Dawn's two destinations. Spacecraft Alignments Completed and Launch Rehearsal Conducted. May 7 - 11 The alignment of spacecraft components was verified and finalized this week, ensuring that antennas, ion thrusters, scientific instruments, and other devices are roperly oriented. With mission control at JPL connected to the spacecraft at Astrotech in Florida, mission controllers conducted another successful simulation of the final 4 hours of countdown, launch, and the first 4 hours of spacecraft operations once Dawn is in space. (This was a test of the procedures used to control the spacecraft and assess its condition; the launch vehicle was not involved.) From the DAWN website. ======================================================= WFPC2 10799 Photometric Mapping of 4 Vesta's Southern Hemisphere. We propose to image asteroid 4 Vesta throughout one complete rotati <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 6, 2007

From spaceflightnow. July 7 (New launch date) Launch window: 2009-2036 GMT (4:09-4:36 p.m. EDT) Launch site: SLC-17B, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida The United Launch Alliance Delta 2 rocket will launch NASA's Dawn spacecraft that will use an ion propulsion system to visit and orbit the asteroids Vesta and Ceres. The rocket will fly in the 7925-Heavy vehicle configuration. Delayed from June 2006 for a program review that led to cancellation. Mission was restored after controversy. Delayed from June 20. Delayed from June 30 due to launch pad crane problem that postponed rocket assembly. [June 6] <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Jun 6, 2007

Thanks MeteorWayne. I hope that it is not delayed too much further, as the Hurricane Season will be gathering pace. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 6, 2007

Early August still usually has a low rate of tropical cyclones, about the 3rd week in August is when it picks up. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Jun 6, 2007

Cheers MeteorWayne. I off to get some shut eye now as it is nearly midnight CET / BST. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 6, 2007

I'll be keeping an eye out to see when all your images get approved <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 9, 2007

06.06.07 George H. Diller Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 STATUS REPORT: ELV-060607 EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE STATUS REPORT Mission: Dawn Location: Astrotech Space Operations Facility Launch Pad: 17-B Launch Vehicle: Delta II 7925-H Launch Date: July 7, 2007 Launch Time: 4:09:31 - 4:36:22 p.m. EDT At Pad 17-B, the Delta II first stage was hoisted into the launcher on May 28 after a postponement due to high wind at the launch pad. Technicians then began working to erect the nine solid rocket boosters. A mechanical problem with the crane used to hoist and mate the first set of three boosters stalled further launch vehicle build-up. As a result of the crane problem at the pad, the launch of Dawn has been retargeted for July 7. Repairs to the crane are now complete. The operations to attach the solid rocket boosters resumed today. The second stage is planned to be hoisted atop the first stage on June 20. Due to the change in the launch date, the planned loading of xenon for the ion propulsion system was rescheduled. The operation began Tuesday night and is under way today. Hydrazine, used for spacecraft control and maneuvering, is scheduled to be loaded on June 10. The spacecraft will be transported to Pad 17-B for mating to the Delta II on June 26. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Jun 9, 2007

Thanks MeteorWayne. I will troll around the JPL site later & see if there are any new picturs. I'm off out now (I am let out you know from time to time), will be back later. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

MeteorWayne · Jun 12, 2007

Just thought this was interesting. Let's see what shows up in the media the next day..... 06.11.07 George Diller Kennedy Space Center, Fla. 321-867-2468 D.C. Agle Jet Propulsion Laboratory 818-393-9011 MEDIA ADVISORY: 27-07 NASA OFFERS MEDIA ACCESS TO DAWN SPACECRAFT JUNE 14 NASA's Dawn spacecraft, targeted to launch aboard a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral on July 7, will be the focus of a media opportunity at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14, at Astrotech in Titusville, Fla. The event is an opportunity to photograph Dawn and interview project and launch program officials about the mission. Dawn's goal is to characterize the conditions and processes of the solar system's earliest epoch 4.5 billion years ago by investigating in detail two of the largest asteroids, Ceres and Vesta. They reside between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Scientists theorize these were budding planets never given the opportunity to grow. However, Ceres and Vesta each followed a very different evolutionary path during the first few million years of the solar system's evolution. By investigating two very different asteroids during the spacecraft's eight-year flight, the Dawn mission aims to unlock some of the mysteries of planetary formation. Dawn will be the first spacecraft to orbit an object in the asteroid belt and the first to orbit two bodies after leaving Earth. For the media event, procedures for optically sensitive spacecraft must be followed by individuals entering the clean room where the spacecraft is being prepared for launch. Full clean room attire (bunny suits) must be worn and will be furnished. Please do not wear perfume, cologne or makeup. Long pants and closed-toe shoes must be worn -- no shorts, skirts or high heels. Camera equipment including tripods and photo accessories must <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id. I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function </div>

3488 · Jun 12, 2007

Thank you very much MeteorWayne. Shame that I cannot be there. No high heels, I think they would have looked very fetching on me. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" /> Actually it will be very interesting to see what will come out of this event. Perhaps we'll find out if 2 pallas is included as well as any other asteroids of opportunity for flybys. Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> "I suddenly noticed an anomaly to the left of Io, just off the rim of that world. It was extremely large with respect to the overall size of Io and crescent shaped. It seemed unbelievable that something that big had not been visible before". Linda Morabito on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.http://www.launchphotography.com/ http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearthhttp://web.me.com/meridianijournal </div>

DAWN mission to orbit 1 Ceres & 4 Vesta.

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