Mariner 9 -- still in orbit? |
Mariner 9 -- still in orbit? |
Mar 15 2015, 06:44 PM
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#1
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Member Group: Members Posts: 102 Joined: 8-August 12 Member No.: 6511 |
I've read in various places that Mariner 9 was supposed to remain in orbit until sometime in the 2020s or 2030s. However, I've never seen an authoritative quote for the exact end of its mission. (One may not exist, of course.) The wikipedia page gives a date of 2022, with a footnote, but unfortunately the link (to a NASA page) is dead.
Does anyone know anything more? Also, would it be theoretically possible to image Mariner 9 (assuming we knew where it was) using any of the other orbiters? Doug M. |
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Mar 15 2015, 08:43 PM
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#2
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Member Group: Members Posts: 423 Joined: 13-November 14 From: Norway Member No.: 7310 |
Retrieved a working link of the Wikipedia reference via the Wayback Machine:
http://appel.nasa.gov/2011/11/27/ata_4-9_mariner_9-html/ QUOTE Mariner 9 remains in orbit around Mars until 2022, when it is expected to burn up or crash on to the surface.
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Mar 15 2015, 08:45 PM
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#3
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2542 Joined: 13-September 05 Member No.: 497 |
Does anyone know anything more? Also, would it be theoretically possible to image Mariner 9 (assuming we knew where it was) using any of the other orbiters? http://starbrite.jpl.nasa.gov/pds/viewMiss..._NAME=MARINER71 QUOTE On October 27, 1972, telemetry data indicated that the spacecraft was no longer capable of holding the fixed attitude and, as the last battery power was being used, a final command was sent to stop transmitting. The slowly tumbling Mariner 9 will remain in orbit for a minimum of 50 years before it enters the atmosphere of Mars, disintegrates, and falls to the surface. Since we don't have good tracking data from the end of mission and even if we did there are enough random factors in orbit lifetime, any prediction would be meaningless. Since we don't know where it is, it's not really interesting to think about imaging it, though I'm sure it's "theoretically possible." -------------------- Disclaimer: This post is based on public information only. Any opinions are my own.
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Mar 15 2015, 08:46 PM
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#4
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Founder Group: Chairman Posts: 14434 Joined: 8-February 04 Member No.: 1 |
Theoretically possible to image it? Yes. MGS imaged MODY and MEX. I'm sure MRO could manage a similar stunt.
But we don't know where it is - so it's out of the question. |
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Mar 16 2015, 12:23 PM
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#5
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Merciless Robot Group: Admin Posts: 8785 Joined: 8-December 05 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 602 |
I'd actually be surprised if it is still in orbit. That 50-yr minimum estimate was made a long time before the dynamics of the martian atmosphere were well understood to say nothing of the detailed behavior of its upper portion. Plus it was, what, four solar cycles ago or so?
Tons of variables, but most of those would seem to act to decrease orbital longevity rather than prolong it. We'll never know, unfortunately. -------------------- A few will take this knowledge and use this power of a dream realized as a force for change, an impetus for further discovery to make less ancient dreams real.
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Mar 16 2015, 02:27 PM
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#6
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1089 Joined: 19-February 05 From: Close to Meudon Observatory in France Member No.: 172 |
Retrieved a working link of the Wikipedia reference via the Wayback Machine: Dear Habukaz, thanks a lot for the link. However, unlike that is said in the caption of this webpage ("Image of landslides in the Melas Chasma on Mars taken by Mariner 9. November 13, 1971 .../... "), the image inserted was not taken by Mariner 9, but by Mars Odyssey |
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Mar 16 2015, 02:52 PM
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#7
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 2542 Joined: 13-September 05 Member No.: 497 |
I'd actually be surprised if it is still in orbit. That 50-yr minimum estimate was made a long time before the dynamics of the martian atmosphere were well understood... On the other hand periapsis was about 1600 km so it's not like it gets deep into the atmosphere. There might be some insight in http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1974CeMec...9..395B but I haven't read it yet. -------------------- Disclaimer: This post is based on public information only. Any opinions are my own.
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Mar 26 2015, 11:21 PM
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#8
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Member Group: Members Posts: 890 Joined: 18-November 08 Member No.: 4489 |
the naif kernel from 1999 has the 71 & 72 dates
CODE BRIEF -- Version 4.0.0, September 8, 2010 -- Toolkit Version N0065 Summary for: m9.bsp Body: -9 w.r.t. MARS BARYCENTER (4) Start of Interval (ET) End of Interval (ET) ----------------------------- ----------------------------- 1971 NOV 14 01:30:00.000 1972 MAR 29 21:00:00.000 1972 APR 01 20:00:00.000 1972 APR 14 06:30:00.000 |
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