Phoenix Mars Lander.

[MeteorWayne]

So the (corrected) Saturday times would be 9:26:34 am UT and 10:02:59 AM UT. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[bobblebob]

I took Friday off work aswell <img src="/images/icons/frown.gif" />

 

[3488]

Think I can forget that idea too.<br /><br />Thanks BPCooper.<br /><br />Hopefully Saturday will be O.K. Will be very good to see the Phoenix go. <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /><br />So MeteorWayne, with that extra three seconds sleep, you should be bright & with it???? <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> Not!! <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />Lets hope that there are no more delays.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Yessir, Bright eyed and bushy brained <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[bobblebob]

Are the aiming to launch at the earlier opportunity which would be August 3 5:35:18 a.m?

 

[MeteorWayne]

No.<br />The Friday Aug 3 launches are out of the picture due to the lightning delayed propellant loading.<br />It looks like all is on track for the Sat Aug 4 attempts, barring any further developments. <br /><br />Edited for pluralizing <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Image below: On Launch Pad 17-A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, <br />the first half of the fairing is installed around the Phoenix spacecraft. <br /><br />NASA/George Shelton.<br />---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />The last time we get ever get to see the Cruise Stage.<br /><br />Next time its exposed, will be in space (hopefully).<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Image below: On Launch Pad 17-A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, <br />Complete fairing is installed around the Phoenix spacecraft. <br /><br />NASA/George Shelton.<br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />That's it now.<br /><br />Phoenix is now closed off to the world.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[bobblebob]

Oops sorry the date was meant to be the 4th. Meant to say are we aiming for the earliest opportunity on Saturday the 4th?

 

[MeteorWayne]

Well, yes, if the first opportunity works weather and spacecraft/launcher health wise, they will surely take it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

They would very silly not to.<br /><br />This mission is far too important to screw up.<br /><br />From a rather nervous Andrew. <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /><br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[brellis]

That's a wonderful sequence, Andrew -- thanks for posting. <br /><br />As I always say before a long recording/performance in my music work: Good luck, studio! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#ff0000"><em><strong>I'm a recovering optimist - things could be better.</strong></em></font> </p> </div>

 

[3488]

Thanks brellis.<br /><br />I do enjoy following this. If successful, Mars Phoenix Lander WILL be one for the books.<br /><br />Given the enormous success of the MERs, Odyssey & MRO, lessons have clearly <br />been learned after the MCO / MPL back to back failures.<br /><br />I am cautiously optimistic about Phoenix.<br /><br />Not only that Phoenix has been very thoroughly tested.<br /><br />Fly Phoenix, fly.<br /><br />For those interested in the landing site & north polar region on Mars, please <br />see these threads started by exoscientist (Bob Clark).<br /><br />North polar Geysers <br /><br />&<br /><br />Proposal for landing site of Phoenix Mars Lander.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Heres the news of the postponement from NASA that includes refinements to news conference times.<br /><br />07.31.07<br /><br />Katherine Trinidad<br />Headquarters, Washington<br />202-358-3895<br />katherine.trinidad@nasa.gov<br /><br />George Diller<br />Kennedy Space Center, Fla.<br />321-867-2468<br />george.h.diller@nasa.gov<br /><br />MEDIA ADVISORY: 07-097<br /><br />NASA POSTPONES PHOENIX LAUNCH<br /><br />CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Friday's scheduled launch of NASA's Phoenix <br />Mars Lander aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta II rocket has been <br />postponed 24 hours. The two available launch times on Saturday, Aug. <br />4, are 5:26:34 a.m. and 6:02:59 a.m. EDT.<br /><br />Due to a forecast for severe weather around the Kennedy Space Center <br />launch pad in Florida on Tuesday afternoon, fueling of the second <br />stage will not be completed. Although fueling is expected to be <br />finished Wednesday morning, there is insufficient contingency time in <br />the schedule to move forward with the launch on Friday.<br /><br />The prelaunch news conference is now scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 2, <br />at 2 p.m. at the NASA press site at Kennedy Space Center. All other <br />planned events for the news media will occur 24 hours after their <br />originally scheduled times. NASA Television and Web coverage for <br />launch will begin at 3:30 a.m. on Saturday. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Thanks MeteorWayne.<br /><br />I will be 'tuning in'.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Considering the look of the radar over Florida now US radar I have to wonder about the 80% probability of good weather Saturday morning. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[bpcooper]

What is currently over us is part of a tropical wave over the Gulf. The forecast calls for it to move north and inland without development by tomorrow, and in from the south comes hot conditions; as much as the mid-90s here Saturday afternoon, which generally helps to suppress storm formation.<br /><br />The benefit of the 5am launch time is, of course, none of our daily afternoon storms.<br /><br />They are also expecting drier conditions the next week compared to the past week. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p>-Ben</p> </div>

 

[bobblebob]

I missed the Phoenix Prelaunch Press Conference which was meant to happen at 2pm. Is it repeated?

 

[3488]

Thank you very much MeteorWayne & BPCooper.<br /><br />It does generally appear to be very good news on the weather.<br /><br />Lets hope that 80% chance of good weather, does not lessen.<br /><br />From a rather anxious Andrew. <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /><br /><br />Sweetspot of landing site of Phoenix .<br /><br /> Context image of landing site of Phoenix.<br /><br /> Possible Landing ellipses for Phoenix.<br /><br /> Topographical MGS MOLA data of landing site for Phoenix.<br /><br /> MGS MOLA global topographical context for site of Phoenix.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Yes launch conditions are much more likely to be favorable at 6AM than 7 PM. <br /><br />the launch is scheduled for Saturday AM; I still can't see that mass moving out by then.<br />Hopefully I'm wrong, wouldn't mind that at all <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

It's running now on NASA TV <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

08.02.07<br />Dwayne Brown/Tabatha Thompson<br />Headquarters, Washington<br />202-358-1726/3895<br />George Diller<br />Kennedy Space Center, Fla.<br />321-867-2468<br />Sara Hammond<br />University of Arizona, Tucson<br />520-419-8071<br />Guy Webster/D.C. Agle<br />Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.<br />818-354-6278/393-9011<br />RELEASE: 42-07<br /><br />NEXT DEPARTURE FOR MARS STANDS READY TO FLY<br /><br />CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A NASA robotic explorer equipped to dig up and <br />analyze icy soil on Mars sits atop a 13-story tall stack of rocket <br />engines prepared for liftoff before sunup on Saturday.<br /><br />A Delta II launch vehicle will carry the Phoenix Mars Lander into <br />Earth orbit and, about 90 minutes later, give it the push needed to <br />send it to Mars. A three-week period when planetary positions are <br />favorable for this launch begins with an opportunity at 5:26:34 a.m. <br />EDT on Aug. 4. A second opportunity the same day, if needed, will <br />come at 6:02:59 a.m. EDT.<br /><br />"We have worked for four years to get to this point, so we are all <br />very excited," said Barry Goldstein, Phoenix project manager at <br />NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena. "Our attention after <br />launch will be focused on flying the spacecraft to our selected <br />landing site, preparing for surface operations, and continuing our <br />relentless examination and testing for the all-important descent and <br />landing on May 25 of next year."<br /><br />Phoenix will travel 422 million miles in an outward arc from Earth to <br />Mars. It will determine whether icy soil on far northern Mars has <br />conditions that have ever been suitable for life.<br /><br /><font color="yellow">Studies of potential landing sites by spacecraft orbiting Mars led <br />NASA to approve a site at 68.35 degrees north latitude -- the <br />equivalent of northern Alaska -- and 233.0 degrees east longitude.<br />(Highlight mine--Wayne)</font><br /><br />"Phoenix investigates the rec <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Thank you very much MeteorWayne.<br /><br />So that will be 10:26:34 AM CET here. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />Not too early, a good time (although I will be about before then as I am pretty nervous<br />about this <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /><img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /><img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /><img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /><img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /><img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /><img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" />).<br /><br />Lets hope NOTHING goes wrong tomorrow morning.<br /><br />I will be watching on NASA TV & hopefully BBC News 24 will show the launch live too, so will <br />have the television on too.<br /><br />Cheers MeteorWayne for keeping us all informed. I for one am very grateful for your posts.<br /><br />Hopefully together we can share the launch in the morning.<br /><br />Below is a nice image of the Phoenix Mars Lander, during testing.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[3488]

Mars Phoenix Lander logo on the First Stage of the Delta 2.<br /><br />Andrew Brown. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080">"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".</font> <em><strong><font color="#000000">Linda Morabito </font></strong><font color="#800000">on discovering that the Jupiter moon Io was volcanically active. Friday 9th March 1979.</font></em></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://www.launchphotography.com/</font><br /><br /><font size="1" color="#000080">http://anthmartian.googlepages.com/thisislandearth</font></p><p><font size="1" color="#000080">http://web.me.com/meridianijournal</font></p> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Nice Logo!! <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>