NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter successfully performs orbital insertion

[enigma]

This just in:

They just re-acquired signal with the MRO after it went around the far side of Mars.

They are waiting to ensure it is in the correct orbit right now.

 

[scott1]

Was it soppsed to go on the farside of mars?Wouldn't they knew it lost contact?

 

[enigma]

NASA TV links:

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

 

[scott1]

NASA TV links:

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

Does it have sound

 

[enigma]

Was it soppsed to go on the farside of mars?Wouldn't they knew it lost contact?

Yes,

It had to go around to the far side for the orbital insertion. The fact that they re-established communications on time meant that the insertion was a success.

They have lost 2 of the 4 missions they've sent there in the last 15 years during orbital insertion.

 

[enigma]

Two way communications successful. MRO is in orbit!

This is great news!

 

[Ivan Seeking]

GREAT! And the success rate is going up again.

 

[Astronuc]

Was it soppsed to go on the farside of mars?Wouldn't they knew it lost contact?

Yes, it is supposed to go behind Mars since it is traversing the ecliptic. It pretty much went according to plan. They just have to sit tight and hope it functioned as planned - and it did.

On Cue, Spacecraft Glides into Orbit Around Mars
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5257061

All Things Considered, March 10, 2006 · Mission controllers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., burst into applause as the Reconnaissance Orbiter arrives safely to Mars. Only about two-thirds of NASA's Mars missions have survived. The spacecraft is supposed to gather more information about Mars than all previous missions combined.

 

[-Job-]

Great news. I love the work people at NASA do.

 

[FredGarvin]

I heard that we have to wait until November before there is any real data sent back. Why so long? Does that time frame include NASA going thru it and scrubbing it before public release?

 

[scott1]

I heard that we have to wait until November before there is any real data sent back. Why so long? Does that time frame include NASA going thru it and scrubbing it before public release?

That's not that long compared to how long it took gailo,voyger and some probes to there planets.I think NASA trying to be carful they probally don't want to go on tv and say "The $2billon prob crashed" there probally just to craful.

 

[FredGarvin]

That's not that long compared to how long it took gailo,voyger and some probes to there planets.I think NASA trying to be carful they probally don't want to go on tv and say "The $2billon prob crashed" there probally just to craful.

I figured it would be something like that, but 8 months? That's awfully cautious.

 

[scott1]

I figured it would be something like that, but 8 months? That's awfully cautious.

You do pay taxes right?

 

[enigma]

They have to aerobrake it into the final orbit. I'm just guessing, but they probably don't want to deploy the scopes until they're done with that phase.

 

[piqueen314]

MRO Primary Science Phase- Begins in Nov.

The data from MRO will not be available until November because Mars will be in opposition and NASA will lose/have limited communication with the spacecraft before Nov.

 

[hypatia]

" Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter successfully performs orbital insertion"

I think I need a shower now!