Mars Odyssey Orbiter gets into position for data relay of Mars Curiosity Rover landing

by David Todd | Jul 25, 2012 | Seradata News | 0 comments

Concerns are receding that the Mars Curiosity Rover (Mars Science Laboratory) will be out of communication with Earth during its risky “seven minutes of terror” skycrane landing sequence on 6 August. This was after the orbiting spacecraft Mars Odyssey Orbiter managed to relocate itself in its orbit ready for its deta relay function. A thruster firing on 24 July achieved this move.

Concerns had been previously raised after NASA’s Mars Odyssey Orbiter had a reaction wheel failure on 11 July which caused the spacecraft to fall into a temporary safe mode. Mars Odyessey Orbiter is needed as a data relay spacecraft as Earth will be out of direct communication visibility during the landing sequence.

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