Stardust + Deep Impact mission extensions, ...two new comet flybys approved |
Stardust + Deep Impact mission extensions, ...two new comet flybys approved |
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#1
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![]() Member ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Members Posts: 125 Joined: 18-July 05 Member No.: 438 ![]() |
- Deep Impact to fly by Boethin on December 5, 2008.
- Stardust to visit Tempel 1 (DI's previous target) on February 14, 2011. More details here: |
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#2
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![]() Interplanetary Dumpster Diver ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Group: Admin Posts: 4404 Joined: 17-February 04 From: Powell, TN Member No.: 33 ![]() |
Yes!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for posting that. I am glad to see that they won't squander two good spacecraft. I wonder if the light curve/rotation period of Temple-1's nucleus is pegged well enough to ensure catching the crater. I doubt it, but it would be nice. Even still, it will be interesting to see it again. While the press release statement, "It will mark the first time a comet has ever been revisited," had me screaming HALLEY FLOTILLA!, this will be the longest period of time between visits to the same comet.
I am also glad to see Deep Impact being used again. Although HRI isn't great, the spacecraft has a lot of other great instruments, and even HRI's out of focus shots are better than anything we could get of a comet's nucleus from earth. I wonder if they will try to free Stardust's filter wheel. I remember it was never attempted because it was stuck on a convenient filter, and they didn't want to risk getting stuck on something less desirable for the Wildt-2 encounter. However, with having to have NAVCAM for the sample return mission over, it sure would be neat to try to free it. -------------------- |
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