Author Topic: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007  (Read 74079 times)

Online jacqmans

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RE: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #260 on: 08/04/2007 04:53 pm »
RELEASE: 45-07

NASA SPACECRAFT HEADS FOR POLAR REGION ON MARS

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - NASA's Phoenix Mars Mission blasted off
Saturday, aiming for a May 25, 2008, arrival at the Red Planet and a
close-up examination of the surface of the northern polar region.

Perched atop a Delta II rocket, the spacecraft left Cape Canaveral Air
Force Base at 5:26 a.m. EDT into the predawn sky above Florida's
Atlantic coast.

"Today's launch is the first step in the long journey to the surface
of Mars. We certainly are excited about launching, but we still are
concerned about our actual landing, the most difficult step of this
mission," said Phoenix Principal Investigator Peter Smith of the
University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, Tucson.

The spacecraft established communications with its ground team via the
Goldstone, Calif., antenna station of NASA's Deep Space Network at
7:02 a.m. EDT, after separating from the third stage of the launch
vehicle.

"The launch team did a spectacular job getting us on the way." said
Barry Goldstein, Phoenix project manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion
Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. "Our trajectory is still being evaluated
in detail; however we are well within expected limits for a
successful journey to the red planet. We are all thrilled!"

Phoenix will be the first mission to touch water-ice on Mars. Its
robotic arm will dig to an icy layer believed to lie just beneath the
surface. The mission will study the history of the water in the ice,
monitor weather of the polar region, and investigate whether the
subsurface environment in the far-northern plains of Mars has ever
been favorable for sustaining microbial life.

"Water is central to every type of study we will conduct on Mars,"
Smith said.

The Phoenix Mars Mission is the first of NASA's competitively proposed
and selected Mars Scout missions, supplementing the agency's core
Mars Exploration Program, whose theme is "follow the water." The
University of Arizona was selected to lead the mission in August 2003
and is the first public university to lead a Mars exploration
mission.

Phoenix uses the main body of a lander originally made for a 2001
mission that was cancelled before launch. "During the past year we
have run Phoenix through a rigorous testing regimen," said Ed Sedivy,
Phoenix spacecraft program manager for Lockheed Martin Space Systems,
Denver, which built the spacecraft. "The testing approach runs the
spacecraft and integrated instruments through actual mission
sequences, allowing us to asses the entire system through the life of
the mission while here on Earth."

Samples of soil and ice collected by the lander's robotic arm will be
analyzed by instruments mounted on the deck. One key instrument will
check for water and carbon-containing compounds by heating soil
samples in tiny ovens and examining the vapors that are given off.
Another will test soil samples by adding water and analyzing the
dissolution products. Cameras and microscopes will provide
information on scales spanning 10 powers of 10, from features that
could fit by the hundreds into a period at the end of a sentence to
an aerial view taken during descent. A weather station will provide
information about atmospheric processes in the arctic region.

The Phoenix mission is led by Smith, with project management at JPL
and development partnership at Lockheed Martin, Denver. The NASA
Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center and the United Launch
Alliance are responsible for the Delta II launch service.
International contributions are provided by the Canadian Space
Agency, the University of Neuchatel (Switzerland), the University of
Copenhagen (Denmark), the Max Planck Institute (Germany) and the
Finnish Meteorological Institute. JPL is a division of the California
Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

Additional information on Phoenix is available online at:

http://www.nasa.gov/phoenix

Additional information on NASA's Mars program is available online at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mars
Jacques :-)

Offline Danny Dot

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RE: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #261 on: 08/04/2007 04:54 pm »
It is REALLY nice to have some good press coming in about how NASA is spending our tax dollars.  I do hope the landing goes OK.   Many, many places for something to go wrong in landing on another planet.

I love to watch the science come in from these planetary missions.  Much more interesting than watching crystals grow in microgravity.

Danny Deger
Danny Deger

Offline John44

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Online jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #263 on: 08/06/2007 03:09 pm »
LOCKHEED MARTIN-BUILT PHOENIX SPACECRAFT LIFTS OFF FOR NINE MONTH VOYAGE TO MARS

NASA SPACECRAFT TO EXPLORE MARTIAN ARCTIC'S ICY SUBSURFACE

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA.,August 4, 2007

NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander, designed and built by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT], was successfully launched this morning from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 5:26 a.m. EDT aboard a Delta II rocket provided by United Launch Alliance.

Initial contact with the spacecraft, called acquisition of signal, was obtained at 7:02 a.m. EDT by Lockheed Martin's Flight Operations team at its Space Systems Company facility near Denver. Mars is 121 million miles away from Earth today, but Phoenix will travel 422 million miles over its 9 ?-month journey.

"Our team is extremely proud to deliver mission success for such long-standing customers as NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory," said Jim Crocker, vice president of Sensing and Exploration Systems at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "We have a distinguished history of delivering Mars missions for NASA and we look forward to seeing the great science Phoenix will discover. The Lockheed Martin, JPL and University of Arizona teams have worked closely together over the last few years to make this mission a success and this morning's launch is a majestic start to the voyage."

Phoenix is the first mission of NASA's Mars Scout Program. Scheduled to arrive at Mars on May 25, 2008, the spacecraft will land on the icy northern latitudes of Mars. During its 90-day primary mission, Phoenix will dig trenches with its robotic arm into the frozen layers of water below the surface. The spacecraft will use various on-board instruments to analyze the contents of the ice and soil - checking for the presence of organic compounds and other conditions favorable for life.

"The entire series of launch-day events went like clockwork. Launch and initial acquisition is the first of our critical events, and it couldn't have gone smother," said Ed Sedivy, spacecraft program manager at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "I'm thrilled to be on our way. I couldn't be more proud of the team of women and men whose hard work and tremendous dedication are helping make NASA's expanded knowledge of our solar system a reality."

During the next few weeks, engineers from Lockheed Martin, JPL and NASA will perform checkout and calibrations on the spacecraft, and make the first of several trajectory control maneuvers to maintain a course to Mars. Throughout Phoenix's cruise to the red planet, the team will perform round the clock monitoring of the spacecraft, and will maintain command and control of the spacecraft during its entire mission. The team will also work hand-in-hand with the Science Operation Center based at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.

"Landing on Mars is the most challenging critical event we execute in planetary exploration," said Tim Gasparrini, deputy program manager for Phoenix entry, decent and landing at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company. "Now that we are safely on the way to Mars, our entry, decent and landing team will draw upon our decades of experience in exploring the universe and focus its energy on a successful landing and surface science operations."

The Phoenix mission is led by Principal Investigator Peter Smith of the University of Arizona, Tucson, with project management at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, and development partnership, and flight operations at Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver. International contributions are provided by the Canadian Space Agency, the University of Neuchatel (Switzerland), the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), the Max Planck Institute (Germany) and the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation, meteorological and communications satellites and instruments; space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; fleet ballistic missiles; and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.
 
Contact:
Gary Napier, (303) 971-4012; [email protected]

NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution JPEG images of the Phoenix spacecraft being built and tested at Lockheed Martin are available at: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/phoenixphotos.

For additional information, visit:
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/phoenix

http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu

http://www.nasa.gov/phoenix
Jacques :-)

Online jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #264 on: 08/06/2007 06:27 pm »
Canadian Space Agency

August 4, 2007

Canada: On its Way to Mars

LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC -- NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander launched successfully this
morning at 5:26 a.m. EDT from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida.
Canada's meteorological station on the lander will track the weather and
climate on Mars.

"Large-scale international projects, like the Phoenix mission, advance
Canada's position in the knowledge economy," said the Honourable Maxime
Bernier, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian
Space Agency. "Our newly released Science and Technology Strategy --
Mobilizing Science and Technology to Canada's Advantage -- recognizes the
importance of encouraging and showcasing Canadian know-how and ingenuity."

Phoenix will travel a total of 680 million kilometres to land in the Arctic
region of Mars in late May, 2008, and use its 2.35-metre robotic arm to dig
for clues about the history of water on Mars, as well as the soil's
potential for harbouring life. Canada's meteorological station will help
accurately model Mars's climate and predict future weather processes. This
information may improve understanding of Earth's dynamic polar regions by
comparing the two planets.

Canada's participation in Phoenix brings together expertise from government,
industry and the research community from across the country. York University
leads the Canadian science team with participation by the University of
Alberta, Dalhousie University, Optech and the Geological Survey of Canada
(part of Natural Resources Canada), with international collaboration from
the Finnish Meteorological Institute. MDA Space Missions is the prime
contractor for the meteorological station, in partnership with Optech.
Aarhus University (Denmark) constructed the wind telltale.

The mission is led by the University of Arizona in partnership with NASA's
Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The Canadian Space Agency is one of the
international partners that include the University of Neuchatel
(Switzerland), the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), and the Max Planck
Institute in Germany.

About the Canadian Space Agency

Established in 1989, the CSA coordinates all civil space-related policies
and programs on behalf of the Government of Canada. The CSA directs its
resources and activities through four key thrusts: earth observation, space
science and exploration, satellite communications, and space awareness and
learning. By leveraging international cooperation, the CSA generates
world-class scientific research and industrial development for the benefit
of humanity.

For more information, please visit the Agency's website:
     http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/exploration/phoenix.asp

Video, animations and pictures are available at this address:
     ftp://ftpsts118.space.gc.ca/users/jjanu/pub/

For more information, please contact:

Canadian Space Agency
Media Relations
450-926-4370
www.space.gc.ca
Jacques :-)

Offline moose

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Re: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #265 on: 08/07/2007 03:21 am »
Ok, so I was having a bad hair day. Dropped my headset (it was a new model without a clip), omitted the fairing jettison call (let myself get distracted), and said nothing about the low vernier engine #2 chamber pressure (it was a bum transducer).  And then we couldn't get all the third stage data including spacecraft sep. Shoot me. :frown:
I was totally bummed that I couldn't wish Phoenix a successful trip like I did with Spirit.
Nah, some days are just better than others when performing flight commentary.  I'll make it up to you guys on Dawn.
Just found out about this site and wanted to share my 0.02$.
Cheers
That telemetry guy

Offline Antares

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Re: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #266 on: 08/07/2007 03:27 am »
Well, at least Lockheed and CSA can get the name of the launch facility right.  It's kind of a nit, but KSC PAO should be able to name correctly 100% of the time something in its own backyard.  There are differences between an AFB and an AFS.  No attention to detail, certain simple things shouldn't ever be missed.
If I like something on NSF, it's probably because I know it to be accurate.  Every once in a while, it's just something I agree with.  Facts generally receive the former.

Offline Lee Jay

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Re: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #267 on: 08/07/2007 03:35 am »
Quote
moose - 6/8/2007  9:21 PM
Just found out about this site and wanted to share my 0.02$.
Cheers

Welcome!

Offline Jim

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Re: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #268 on: 08/07/2007 03:46 am »
Quote
moose - 6/8/2007  11:21 PM

Ok, so I was having a bad hair day. Dropped my headset (it was a new model without a clip), omitted the fairing jettison call (let myself get distracted), and said nothing about the low vernier engine #2 chamber pressure (it was a bum transducer).  And then we couldn't get all the third stage data including spacecraft sep. Shoot me. :frown:
I was totally bummed that I couldn't wish Phoenix a successful trip like I did with Spirit.
Nah, some days are just better than others when performing flight commentary.  I'll make it up to you guys on Dawn.
Just found out about this site and wanted to share my 0.02$.
Cheers

Welcome Moose!

Actually was just paging through Tim Van Milligan's Model Rocket Design and Construction and showed my wife your pic

Offline simonbp

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RE: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #269 on: 08/08/2007 06:01 am »
My sentiments exactly... :)

Simon ;)

Offline punkboi

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Offline Nick L.

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Re: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #271 on: 08/08/2007 11:54 pm »
Quote
moose - 6/8/2007  11:21 PM

Ok, so I was having a bad hair day. Dropped my headset (it was a new model without a clip), omitted the fairing jettison call (let myself get distracted), and said nothing about the low vernier engine #2 chamber pressure (it was a bum transducer).  And then we couldn't get all the third stage data including spacecraft sep. Shoot me. :frown:
I was totally bummed that I couldn't wish Phoenix a successful trip like I did with Spirit.
Nah, some days are just better than others when performing flight commentary.  I'll make it up to you guys on Dawn.
Just found out about this site and wanted to share my 0.02$.
Cheers

It's Marc Lavigne, the Voice of Delta II! Welcome to the forums, sir, it's really great to have you here! I've always wondered who it was that gave us the great insight on the well-being of Delta. :) It must take some great experience to intepret those graphs and charts and tell what is happening hundreds of miles in space.

I noticed you aren't doing the telemetry callouts for Delta IV anymore. Do you have an arrangement where you get the Delta IIs and Steve gets the Delta IVs, or is it just who is available at the time?

Thanks very much!
Nick :)
"Now you may leave here for four days in space, but when you return it's the same old place..."

Offline punkboi

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Re: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #272 on: 08/11/2007 02:23 am »

Phoenix's current position in space:

http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu/where_phoenix.php


Online jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #273 on: 08/11/2007 07:00 am »
NEWS RELEASE: 2007-088                                                               August 10, 2007


NASA'S Mars-Bound Phoenix Adjusts Course Successfully


NASA's Phoenix Mars Lander today accomplished the first and largest of six course corrections planned during the spacecraft's flight from Earth to Mars.

Phoenix left Earth Aug. 4, bound for a challenging touchdown on May 25, 2008, at a site farther north than any previous Mars landing. It will robotically dig to underground ice and run laboratory tests assessing whether the site could ever have been hospitable to microbial life.

Phoenix today is traveling at about 33,180 meters per second (74,200 miles per hour) in relation to the sun. The first trajectory-correction maneuver was calculated to tweak the velocity by about 18.5 meters per second (41 miles per hour). The spacecraft fired its four mid-size thrusters for three minutes and 17 seconds to adjust its trajectory.

"All the subsystems are functioning as expected with few deviations from predicted performance," said Joe Guinn, Phoenix mission system manager at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

Key activities in the next few weeks will include checkouts of science instruments, radar and the communication system that will be used during and after the landing.

The second trajectory-correction maneuver is planned for mid-October. "These first two together take out the bias intentionally put in at launch," said JPL's Brian Portock, Phoenix navigation team chief. Without the correction maneuvers, the spacecraft's course after launch day would miss Mars by about 950,000 kilometers (590,000 miles), an intentional offset to prevent the third stage of the launch vehicle from hitting Mars. The launch vehicle is not subject to the rigorous cleanliness requirements that the spacecraft must meet as a protection against letting Earth organisms get a foothold on Mars.

The burn began at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.  Each of the four trajectory-correction thrusters provides about 15.6 newtons (3.5 pounds) of force. Smaller, attitude-control thrusters pivoted the spacecraft to the desired orientation a few minutes before the main burn and returned it afterward to the right orientation for catching solar energy while communicating with Earth. Their thrust capacity is about 4.4 newtons (1 pound) apiece. The twelve largest thrusters on Phoenix, delivering about 293 newtons (66 pounds) apiece, will operate only during the final minute before landing on Mars.

The Phoenix mission is led by Peter Smith of the University of Arizona, Tucson, with project management at JPL and development partnership at Lockheed Martin, Denver. International contributions are provided by the Canadian Space Agency; the University of Neuchatel, Switzerland; the universities of Copenhagen and Aarhus, Denmark; the Max Planck Institute, Germany; and the Finnish Meteorological Institute. JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.

Additional information on Phoenix is available online at: http://www.nasa.gov/phoenix and at http://phoenix.lpl.arizona.edu .
Jacques :-)

Offline moose

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Re: LIVE: Delta II - Phoenix, August 4, 2007
« Reply #274 on: 08/15/2007 02:57 am »
"I noticed you aren't doing the telemetry callouts for Delta IV anymore. Do you have an arrangement where you get the Delta IIs and Steve gets the Delta IVs, or is it just who is available at the time?"

Nick,
First, thank you for the warm welcome. And to answer your question above, a little history:
I took over for Skip Mackey back in 1999. It was a privilege to work with him. Along came Delta 3 and Nasa telemetry engineer Eric Anderson did the first two, I got the third (and final). Then came Delta 4 all while I was handling both coasts' worth of Delta 2 launches. I did the first three Delta 4's. So at one brief period,  I was the only ascent flight commentator for all three vehicles & both coasts.
Management wisely decided to find an alternate commentator and Steve stepped up.  We are considered backups to each other, but out of convenience he handles all Delta 4 and I do the Delta 2's. So that is the rest of the story.
Thanks for asking.
That telemetry guy

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