Phoenix Probe Lands on Mars
Published on 25 May 2008 at 10:19 pm.
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Filed under Astrobiology, Astronomy, Exploration, Mars, Robotics, Space.
At 4:53:44 p.m. Pacific Time (7:53:44 p.m. Eastern Time) NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory received radio signals from the Mars Phoenix Lander confirming that it survived its landing in the north polar region of Mars.
The probe enters the Martian atmosphere at about 78 miles above the surface and begins decelerating from its space cruise velocity of 12,500 miles per hour down to Mach 1.7 (1.7 times the speed of sound) when its parachute deployed. The parachute is jettisoned at 1 km above the surface when the probe fires its rocket thrusters to decelerate it further until it reaches either 12 meters altitude or a speed of 5 miles per hour. At this point the rocket engines stop and the probe drops to the surface.
Above is an artist’s conception.
I cant wait to see how it really will look!
Tomorrow…
Check the Phoenix Mission Site for updates!
Kevin Knuth
Albany NY
