Phoenix Mars Lander.

Boris_Badenov · May 25, 2008

Approach speed has increased by 71 km/h to 10,250 km/h.I'm curious why they are allowing he approach speed to creep up like this? Is it a fuel saving measure (in other words, mass saving), or some other reason? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center">. </div><div align="center">Never roll in the mud with a pig. You'll both get dirty & the pig likes it.</div> </div>

Cygnus_2112 · May 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Approach speed has increased by 71 km/h to 10,250 km/h.I'm curious why they are allowing he approach speed to creep up like this? Is it a fuel saving measure (in other words, mass saving), or some other reason? Posted by boris1961</DIV> This is intended to happen.  The velocity will keep increasing until entry interface.  The spacecraft is going "down hill" towards Mars, into it gravity well.  There is no way of reducing the velocity, outside of using tons of propellant

3488 · May 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> This is intended to happen.  The velocity will keep increasing until entry interface.  The spacecraft is going "down hill" towards Mars, into it gravity well.  There is no way of reducing the velocity, outside of using tons of propellant Posted by Cygnus_2112</DIV>That's true, it would require an awful lot of fuel to arrest the acceleration due to Mars's gravity. Phoenix is now well within the Hill Sphere of Mars.After all this time, we're nearly there.Landing Countdown. Day: 0 Hours: 6 Minutes: 35 Seconds: 45 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 · May 25, 2008

<div id="post-241379" class="postcolor">Mars's gravity now 4.40 times that of the Sun on Phoenix. Andrew Brown. </div> <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>

moonmadness · May 25, 2008

<img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/11/71bf6415-47b9-4803-9ba3-c69d0f8f7df5.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I'm not a rocket scientist, but I do play one on the TV in my mind. </div>

MeteorWayne · May 25, 2008

Stats at 5 hours to landing. Altitude 54,347 km (-10,401) {33770 miles) Mars' gravity now 6 times that of the sun Approach velocity 10,462 km/h (+121) {2.91 km/s, 6501 mph} Phoenix solar orbit velocity 70815 (-95) Distance to go 340,233 km {211,411 miles} MW <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>

aphh · May 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Stats at 5 hours to landing.Altitude 54,347 km (-10,401) {33770 miles)Mars' gravity now 6 times that of the sunApproach velocity 10,462 km/h (+121) {2.91 km/s, 6501 mph}Phoenix solar orbit velocity 70815 (-95)Distance to go 340,233 km {211,411 miles}MW Posted by MeteorWayne</DIV>It's got still almost the distance equivalent from earth to the moon to travel. But it doesn't make sense.With the current velocity of 2.91 km/s it would take Phoenix 32 hrs to reach it's destination? Is the planet also closing in on Phoenix shortening the distance?One would think we're approaching from behind, so the planet is moving in the same general direction as Phoenix. But the planet is atleast rotating, hmm...Any word on the mechanics here?

3488 · May 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>It's got still almost the distance equivalent from earth to the moon to travel. But it doesn't make sense.With the current velocity of 2.91 km/s it would take Phoenix 32 hrs to reach it's destination? Posted by aphh</DIV> Remember the acceleration towards Mars is increasing. Also both Phoenix & Mars are moving in orbit around the Sun. So that figure of distance to travel to landing is the Heliocentric distance, not how far Phoenix has to travel with respect to Mars. The 2.91 KMS is relation to Mars (Areocentric), not Heliocentric.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>

aphh · May 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'> Remember the acceleration towards Mars is increasing. Also both Phoenix & Mars are moving in orbit around the Sun. So that figure of distance to travel to landing is the Heliocentric distance, not how far Phoenix has to travel with respect to Mars. The 2.91 KMS is relation to Mars (Areocentric), not Heliocentric.Andrew Brown. Posted by 3488</DIV>Thanks for the clarification.

MeteorWayne · May 25, 2008

Stats at 4 hours to landing (3:38:32 EDT) Altitude above Mars 43,811 km Gravity of Mars is 9 times that of the sun. Approach speed to Mars 10,734 km/h (+272 km/h) Distance to landing 269,360 km MW <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 · May 25, 2008

Yes, Phoenix is actually ahead o Mars in it's orbit. So Mars is pulling it back as they intercept a point a feww hundred km ahead of them. If the craft was heading straight down to the surface, it would't take long at all!But they are aiming at a point ahead of both orbits when the gravity of Mars will overwhelm that from the sun, and draw it down into the atmosphere. <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 · May 25, 2008

Replay of Press Briefing on NASA TV Now <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>

aphh · May 25, 2008

Entry interface at 12,700 km/h.Edit: I accidentally edited my post, MeteorWayne's reply was helpful.

derekmcd · May 25, 2008

Just checkin in... This is something not to miss. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div> <div>"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</div> </div>

spin0 · May 25, 2008

Posting in a nervewrecking thread. Keeping fingers crossed. Go Phoenix! Peanuts, anyone?  BTW, what does EDL stand for? Entry Descent Landing?   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

SpaceKiwi · May 25, 2008

Great briefing, I sure hope for those guys on stage that they have a successful EDL.  One comment that stuck with me was the idea that, if you could look out a window on the spacecraft, Mars would appear as approximately ten times the size of a full Moon.  It's a heart-warming image to consider.I'm really nervous for those twelve thrusters, it seems impossibly difficult that they will pulse in concert to allow a stable descent to the Martian surface.  How far technology has come. SK  <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/11/0/eb054ea0-b75e-4794-a005-8507c4ce1fb4.Medium.gif" alt="" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

3488 · May 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Posting in a nervewrecking thread. Keeping fingers crossed. Go Phoenix! Peanuts, anyone?  Posted by spin0</DIV>I have spent a lot of emotional energy on this mission, particularly with the campaign to get the mission approved (which I was heavily involved in) @ a time when it was threatened with cancellation. It is very nearly crunch time. Landing Countdown.Day: 0 Hours: 3 Minutes: 32 Seconds: 30Andrew 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 · May 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Great briefing, I sure hope for those guys on stage that they have a successful EDL.  One comment that stuck with me was the idea that, if you could look out a window on the spacecraft, Mars would appear as approximately ten times the size of a full Moon.  It's a heart-warming image to consider.I'm really nervous for those twelve thrusters, it seems impossibly difficult that they will pulse in concert to allow a stable descent to the Martian surface.  How far technology has come. SK  Posted by SpaceKiwi</DIV>Hi SpaceKiwi.Apparently nine will be pulsing, three will be on constant thrust. But yes, it does prove how far we have come.Landing Countdown. Day: 0 Hours: 3 Minutes: 29 Seconds: 30 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>

moonmadness · May 25, 2008

<img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/1/12/11e2bfb7-117b-46a8-8c39-8fc48d3b0b6d.Medium.jpg" alt="" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> I'm not a rocket scientist, but I do play one on the TV in my mind. </div>

derekmcd · May 25, 2008

Quit chewing on your nails Andrew.<img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" /> As for the engines, he sounded pretty confident in them.  Paraphrasing, but he said as long as they start, they'll get the job done the rest of way without issues. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div> <div>"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</div> </div>

keermalec · May 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Quit chewing on your nails Andrew. As for the engines, he sounded pretty confident in them.  Paraphrasing, but he said as long as they start, they'll get the job done the rest of way without issues. Posted by derekmcd</DIV> Something which I find a bit disconcerting: all schedule times on nasa tv website are given EDT, yet the landing show is shot at the JPL in California and peeps on the show talk Pacific time. At what precise hour, EDT, will the Phoenix land?   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> “An error does not become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.” John F. Kennedy </div>

SpaceKiwi · May 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>As for the engines, he sounded pretty confident in them.  Paraphrasing, but he said as long as they start, they'll get the job done the rest of way without issues. Posted by derekmcd</DIV> I'm more concerned about the AI controlling them.  Oh well, these guys and girls know what they're doing I guess, and the technology has all been tested countless times.  I'm at least 55% confident. SK  <img src="http://sitelife.space.com/ver1.0/Content/images/store/15/4/2f1bbd35-9a4d-4eb8-946d-54dcf87a1445.Medium.gif" alt="" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> Who is this superhero? Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bring Back The Black! </div>

Philotas · May 25, 2008

Just for fun, I've checked the national (Norwegian, that is) media coverage of Phoenix. A bit disappointing; but at least I found it atop of the state channell's foreign news and a live web coverage starting in two hours at one of the commercial channels. And of course there is the coverage from the University of Oslo, which I'll follow in addition to the other sources.Countdown2 hours (!)39 minutes0 seconds   <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

derekmcd · May 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Something which I find a bit disconcerting: all schedule times on nasa tv website are given EDT, yet the landing show is shot at the JPL in California and peeps on the show talk Pacific time. At what precise hour, EDT, will the Phoenix land?   Posted by keermalec</DIV>7:51(ish) EDT, by my watch. I'm sure the exact time to within the minute is probably being constantly adjusted.  I noticed nasa's site and pheonix site are 2 min. difference with the pheonix site being 2 minutes earlier. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div> </div> <div>"If something's hard to do, then it's not worth doing." - Homer Simpson</div> </div>

MeteorWayne · May 25, 2008

Replying to: <DIV CLASS='Discussion_PostQuote'>Something which I find a bit disconcerting: all schedule times on nasa tv website are given EDT, yet the landing show is shot at the JPL in California and peeps on the show talk Pacific time. At what precise hour, EDT, will the Phoenix land?   Posted by keermalec</DIV> Landing should be at 7:38:32 PM EDT (4:38 PM PDT, 2338 UTC)The signals (traveling at the speed of light) will reach us about 15 minutes later, so then we will know. <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>

Phoenix Mars Lander.

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