Mars Express Retargeting complete
At 11:50 CET [1050 UTC], flight controllers at ESOC confirmed the success of a
crucial repointing manoeuvre, setting Mars Express on its final course for Mars
Orbit Insertion.
Yesterday, in order to send Beagle 2 on its way to a Mars landing, Mars Express
first had to be steered onto a collision course with the planet.
Today’s manoeuvre successfully redirected the spacecraft away from Mars, back to
a point 400 kilometres above the surface, where it is due to enter orbit early
on Christmas Day.
More about …
* Europe goes to Mars
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/index.html
* Mars Express overview
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/120379_index_0_m.html
Related articles
* The search for life
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMAGE1P4HD_exploring_0.html
* Crucial moments on the way to Mars
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM5Z0UZJND_0.html
* Testing times: An interview with Con McCarthy
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEMZTOXLDMD_people_0_iv.html
* Point and shoot
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEM2TP274OD_0.html
Related links
* Beagle 2 lander homepage
http://www.beagle2.com
IMAGE CAPTION:
[http://www.esa.int/export/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMUW0374OD_1.html]
The Mars Express orbiter is being retargeted to avoid collision with Mars.