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Tag Archives: solar conjunction
Curiosity update: Until we meet again
Sols 2506-08, August 23, 2019, update by MSL scientist Michelle Minitti: Today was the final opportunity to actively command Curiosity before the Sun comes between us and Mars. Most of the instruments are safely stored for the solar conjunction break, … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged Aeolis Mons, CBU, clay-bearing unit, Curiosity, Gale Crater, Glen Etive, Glen Torridon, Mars Science Laboratory, Mount Sharp, MSL, Murray Formation, NASA, solar conjunction
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What’s solar conjunction and why does it matter?
The daily chatter between antennas here on Earth and those on NASA spacecraft at Mars is about to get much quieter for a few weeks. That’s because Mars and Earth will be on opposite sides of the Sun, a period … Continue reading
MAVEN: Solar conjunction coming
The MAVEN operations and navigation teams are preparing for Mars solar conjunction, when the Sun is lined up almost directly between Earth and Mars: https://go.nasa.gov/2OOZQhy. This year, Mars solar conjunction will happen between Aug. 28 – Sept. 7. Due to … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged atmosphere, Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN, MAVEN, NASA, solar conjunction, University of Colorado
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ExoMars TGO: Aerobraking restarts in September
After an approximately 11-week pause due to Mars conjunction and a major software update, ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) will restart its aerobraking campaign in September. Aerobraking, you’ll recall, is the year-long campaign being conducted by TGO using the … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged aerobraking, ESA, European Space Agency, ExoMars, ExoMars 2016, Roscosmos, solar conjunction, TGO, Trace Gas Orbiter
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Sun to blame for Mars communication stand-down
This month, movements of the planets will put Mars almost directly behind the sun, from Earth’s perspective, causing curtailed communications between Earth and Mars. NASA will refrain from sending commands to America’s three Mars orbiters and two Mars rovers during … Continue reading
Mars Orbiter Spacecraft: solar conjunction
[India's] Mars Orbiter Spacecraft (MOM) is under ‘solar conjunction’ at Mars, which means the spacecraft, which is orbiting Mars, is behind the Sun as viewed from the Earth. As a result of this event which happens once in 2.2 years … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged Indian Space Research Organization, ISRO, Mars Orbiter Mission, MOM, solar conjunction
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Solar conjunction: mission communications pause
In June 2015, Mars will swing almost directly behind the sun from Earth’s perspective, and this celestial geometry will lead to diminished communications with spacecraft at Mars. The arrangement of the sun between Earth and Mars is called Mars solar … Continue reading
Posted in Reports
Tagged Curiosity, Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN, Mars Exploration Rover, Mars Odyssey, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Science Laboratory, MAVEN, MER, MRO, MSL, NASA, Opportunity, solar conjunction
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