Countdown to Vesta
Hey Space Placers!
We are less than 24 hours from DAWN entering orbit around Vesta. All systems are GO! The spacecraft is performing beautifully and according to the NASA JPL Press Release,
"Engineers expect the spacecraft to be captured into orbit at approximately 10 p.m. PDT Friday, July 15 (1 a.m. EDT Saturday, July16). They expect to hear from the spacecraft and confirm that it performed as planned during a scheduled communications pass that starts at approximately 11:30 p.m. PDT on Saturday, July 16 (2:30 a.m. EDT Sunday, July 17). When Vesta captures Dawn into its orbit, engineers estimate there will be approximately 9,900 miles (16,000 kilometers) between them. At that point, the spacecraft and asteroid will be approximately 117 million miles (188 million kilometers) from Earth."
The latest photo was taken on July 9th :
We are less than 24 hours from DAWN entering orbit around Vesta. All systems are GO! The spacecraft is performing beautifully and according to the NASA JPL Press Release,
"Engineers expect the spacecraft to be captured into orbit at approximately 10 p.m. PDT Friday, July 15 (1 a.m. EDT Saturday, July16). They expect to hear from the spacecraft and confirm that it performed as planned during a scheduled communications pass that starts at approximately 11:30 p.m. PDT on Saturday, July 16 (2:30 a.m. EDT Sunday, July 17). When Vesta captures Dawn into its orbit, engineers estimate there will be approximately 9,900 miles (16,000 kilometers) between them. At that point, the spacecraft and asteroid will be approximately 117 million miles (188 million kilometers) from Earth."
The latest photo was taken on July 9th :
Here's the link for the latest news: http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov/
Sky Guy in VA
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