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Author Topic: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter  (Read 65396 times)

Offline Ottawan

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Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
« on: August 08, 2005, 03:52:35 PM »
MRO is scheduled to liftoff Wednesday morning August 10th at 7:54 am Eastern time.

Just a heads up for those who want to tune in to NASA TV
« Last Edit: August 10, 2005, 12:14:37 PM by ottawan »
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Offline Atdaban

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Re: Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2005, 04:46:25 PM »
Can't wait...counting down as we speak! 8)
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Offline spacecat27

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Re: Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2005, 05:12:40 PM »
Unfortunately can't skip work to go up for that one, though I hope to split early Friday and see the GOES launch.
With opposition coming up in November, this is certainly the time to launch to Mars- think they're talking about a December arrival?  With its very high-res cameras and planned low orbit-- looking forward to some spectacular pics from this bird! 


Ammend:  I dunno where I got that December arrival idea- something else I was reading over on JPL and December stuck in my mind, I guess.  It's more like March- with another 6 months of aerobraking before it reaches its final science orbit.  So the really good stuff is over a year away yet.  :(
« Last Edit: August 09, 2005, 04:35:48 PM by spacecat27 »
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Offline Ottawan

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Re: Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2005, 11:03:34 AM »
A look forward to the orbiter mission . . . .

Orbiter to search for water on Red Planet
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Offline Satanic Mechanic

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Re: Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter
« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2005, 03:21:40 PM »
Ottawan,
Thanks for bringing up this mission.  I did not know about this launch since it has been overshadowed by the shuttle launch.  Here is a link on the NASA site about it: http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2005/aug/HQ_05216_MRO_update.html
Not only is this sattelite taking detailed pictures, it is acting as a relay for present and future Mars missions.  Just like a TDRS.

SM
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Offline spacecat27

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Re: Mars Reconnaisance Orbiter
« Reply #5 on: August 09, 2005, 03:46:36 PM »
And it's a HUGE machine!  Over on Everything Science, Orstio pointed out it's roughly the same size and weight as a large R/V!

Spaceflight Now notes it's been pushed to Thursday; and the Friday GOES launch has been pushed to Saturday.
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Offline Ottawan

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Re: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
« Reply #6 on: August 10, 2005, 12:15:58 PM »
Here is a link to the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter home page . .

MRO
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Offline Jirnsum

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Re: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
« Reply #7 on: August 10, 2005, 02:06:21 PM »
It did make the news here today, although I guess only because they were able to say "NASA is in trouble yet again"  :?
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Offline Nik

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Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
« Reply #8 on: August 10, 2005, 05:47:34 PM »
Can't blame NASA for feeling a bit 'over-scrutinised' right now, after a generation of oft-clumsy comprimises have been hauled out into view-- again...

And, given the recent record of Martian Whoopsies, I'd rather they got this one right. More than 'a lot' rides on it: instruments complement the current orbiter, mapping systems increase resolution still further, and relay function means subsequent craft can allocate *lots* more payload to instruments instead Earth-range transmitters...
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Offline Bob B.

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Re: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2005, 07:22:46 AM »
Launch is scheduled for 9:00 AM EDT today.  So far everything seems to be proceeding okay.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2005, 08:15:39 AM by Bob B. »
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Offline Ottawan

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Re: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2005, 07:52:18 AM »
They have just announced a 24 hour scrub and have begun de-tanking.

Still waiting to hear why.
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Offline Bob B.

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Re: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
« Reply #11 on: August 11, 2005, 07:53:35 AM »
The launch has been scrubbed for 24 hours due to a problem with the fueling of the Centaur stage.  The scrub came during the built-in hold at T-4 minutes.
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Offline Bob B.

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Re: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2005, 08:15:09 AM »
There was a problem with sensor readings during liquid hydrogen loading of the Centaur upper stage.  The launch was scrubbed because they felt the problem could not be resolved before the end of the launch window.  The rocket will stay on the pad overnight and they will try to launch again tomorrow (Friday).  Friday’s launch window is between 7:43 AM and 9:43 AM EDT.
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Offline LunarOrbit

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Re: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
« Reply #13 on: August 11, 2005, 10:25:07 AM »
What is with NASA's fuel sensors lately? ;)
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Offline Ottawan

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Re: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
« Reply #14 on: August 11, 2005, 10:42:07 AM »
I thought that was a strange coinkydink as well :D
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Man must explore . . . and this is exploration at its greatest

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