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Main
Date: 12 Nov 2006 03:53:06
From: Sam Wormley
Subject: NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
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NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
http://www.space.com/news/061110_mgs_missing.html
By Ker Than
Staff Writer
posted: 10 November 2006
11:24 am ET
This story was updated at 5:23 pm EST.
NASA's Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft has failed to check in
with Earth for the fifth straight day in a row, after losing contact
during a routine adjustment of its solar array.
If contact is not reestablished by Saturday, NASA might try to have
another Mars-orbiting spacecraft take pictures of MGS to assess its
condition.
On Nov. 2, MGS mangers sent commands for the spacecraft to adjust the
position of one of its solar power arrays to better track the sun.
Returning data indicated a problem with the motor that moves the array,
so a backup motor and control circuitry were switched on.
No signal was received on Nov. 3 and 4, but a weak signal was received
on Nov. 5, suggesting the spacecraft had switched to a safe mode and
was awaiting further instructions from Earth. The signal cut out
completely later that day and nothing has been heard since.
Engineers think the spacecraft has performed a programmed maneuver in
which it turns its solar arrays toward the sun to maintain its power
supply. When it does this, it also reorients its entire body in the
same direction, thus making communication with Earth less effective.
"The spacecraft has many redundant systems that should help us get it
back into a stable operation, but first we need to re-establish
communications," said MGS project manager Tom Thorpe of NASA's Jet
Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.
It's also possible, Thorpe said, that the spacecraft was hit by a
micrometeorite, and that it's antenna was jolted out of alignment.
NASA is still trying to contact the spacecraft, because its ability to
receive commands might not be impaired. But if nothing is heard from
MSG by Saturday, NASA will ask the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)
team to begin preperations late next week to take pictures of MGS in
order to assess its orientation and condition. The two spacecraft pass
within about 60 miles (100 km) of each other several times a week.
"That would help a lot to determine where we are now and what commands
we should be using," Thorpe told SPACE.com.
MGS launched towards Mars just over 10 years ago, on Nov. 7, 1996, and
marked NASA's first successful return to the red planet in two decades.
The spacecraft was originally tasked with examining Mars for a full
Martian year, roughly two Earth years. Operations were slated to end in
early 2001, but like the two Mars rovers, Opportunity and Spirit, MGS
was continued to perform so admirably that its mission was repeatedly
extended, most recently on Oct. 1 of this year.
Since its mission formally began in 1999, MGS has returned a wealth of
data about the red planet. The spacecraft has tracked the evolution of
a dust storm, gathered information on the Martian landscape, found
compelling evidence of gullies apparently carved by flowing water, and
revealed the infamous "face on Mars," originally photographed in 1976
by Viking 1, to be nothing more than a natural landscape. It has also
taken tens of thousands of high-resolution images of Mars and performed
the first three-dimensional mapping of the planet's North Pole.
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Date: 12 Nov 2006 05:46:59
From: Loser
Subject: Re: NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
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"Sam Wormley" <swormley1@mchsi.com > wrote in message
news:45569AA1.7020005@mchsi.com...
> NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
> http://www.space.com/news/061110_mgs_missing.html
>
> By Ker Than
> Staff Writer
> posted: 10 November 2006
> 11:24 am ET
>
> This story was updated at 5:23 pm EST.
>
> NASA's Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft has failed to check in
> with Earth for the fifth straight day in a row, after losing contact
> during a routine adjustment of its solar array.
>
> If contact is not reestablished by Saturday, NASA might try to have
> another Mars-orbiting spacecraft take pictures of MGS to assess its
> condition.
>
> On Nov. 2, MGS mangers sent commands for the spacecraft to adjust the
> position of one of its solar power arrays to better track the sun.
> Returning data indicated a problem with the motor that moves the array,
> so a backup motor and control circuitry were switched on.
>
> No signal was received on Nov. 3 and 4, but a weak signal was received
> on Nov. 5, suggesting the spacecraft had switched to a safe mode and
> was awaiting further instructions from Earth. The signal cut out
> completely later that day and nothing has been heard since.
>
> Engineers think the spacecraft has performed a programmed maneuver in
> which it turns its solar arrays toward the sun to maintain its power
> supply. When it does this, it also reorients its entire body in the
> same direction, thus making communication with Earth less effective.
>
> "The spacecraft has many redundant systems that should help us get it
> back into a stable operation, but first we need to re-establish
> communications," said MGS project manager Tom Thorpe of NASA's Jet
> Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.
>
> It's also possible, Thorpe said, that the spacecraft was hit by a
> micrometeorite, and that it's antenna was jolted out of alignment.
>
> NASA is still trying to contact the spacecraft, because its ability to
> receive commands might not be impaired. But if nothing is heard from
> MSG by Saturday, NASA will ask the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)
> team to begin preperations late next week to take pictures of MGS in
> order to assess its orientation and condition. The two spacecraft pass
> within about 60 miles (100 km) of each other several times a week.
>
> "That would help a lot to determine where we are now and what commands
> we should be using," Thorpe told SPACE.com.
>
> MGS launched towards Mars just over 10 years ago, on Nov. 7, 1996, and
> marked NASA's first successful return to the red planet in two decades.
> The spacecraft was originally tasked with examining Mars for a full
> Martian year, roughly two Earth years. Operations were slated to end in
> early 2001, but like the two Mars rovers, Opportunity and Spirit, MGS
> was continued to perform so admirably that its mission was repeatedly
> extended, most recently on Oct. 1 of this year.
>
> Since its mission formally began in 1999, MGS has returned a wealth of
> data about the red planet. The spacecraft has tracked the evolution of
> a dust storm, gathered information on the Martian landscape, found
> compelling evidence of gullies apparently carved by flowing water, and
> revealed the infamous "face on Mars," originally photographed in 1976
> by Viking 1, to be nothing more than a natural landscape. It has also
> taken tens of thousands of high-resolution images of Mars and performed
> the first three-dimensional mapping of the planet's North Pole.
So what's your point? I already covered this.
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Date: 11 Nov 2006 21:34:55
From: Rich
Subject: Re: NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
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Sam Wormley wrote:
> NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
> http://www.space.com/news/061110_mgs_missing.html
>
> By Ker Than
> Staff Writer
> posted: 10 November 2006
> 11:24 am ET
>
> This story was updated at 5:23 pm EST.
>
> NASA's Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft has failed to check in
> with Earth for the fifth straight day in a row, after losing contact
> during a routine adjustment of its solar array.
>
> If contact is not reestablished by Saturday, NASA might try to have
> another Mars-orbiting spacecraft take pictures of MGS to assess its
> condition.
>
> On Nov. 2, MGS mangers sent commands for the spacecraft to adjust the
> position of one of its solar power arrays to better track the sun.
> Returning data indicated a problem with the motor that moves the array,
> so a backup motor and control circuitry were switched on.
>
> No signal was received on Nov. 3 and 4, but a weak signal was received
> on Nov. 5, suggesting the spacecraft had switched to a safe mode and
> was awaiting further instructions from Earth. The signal cut out
> completely later that day and nothing has been heard since.
>
> Engineers think the spacecraft has performed a programmed maneuver in
> which it turns its solar arrays toward the sun to maintain its power
> supply. When it does this, it also reorients its entire body in the
> same direction, thus making communication with Earth less effective.
>
> "The spacecraft has many redundant systems that should help us get it
> back into a stable operation, but first we need to re-establish
> communications," said MGS project manager Tom Thorpe of NASA's Jet
> Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.
>
> It's also possible, Thorpe said, that the spacecraft was hit by a
> micrometeorite, and that it's antenna was jolted out of alignment.
Also possible some worker f------ up. Human error (whether in
assembly, flight or operation) is usually always responsible for this
kind of thing, not some "micrometeorite."
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Date: 12 Nov 2006 01:46:03
From: Restless Cow Syndrome
Subject: Re: NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
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Rich wrote:
> Sam Wormley wrote:
> > NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
> > http://www.space.com/news/061110_mgs_missing.html
> >
> > By Ker Than
> > Staff Writer
> > posted: 10 November 2006
> > 11:24 am ET
> >
> > This story was updated at 5:23 pm EST.
> >
> > NASA's Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft has failed to check in
> > with Earth for the fifth straight day in a row, after losing contact
> > during a routine adjustment of its solar array.
> >
> > If contact is not reestablished by Saturday, NASA might try to have
> > another Mars-orbiting spacecraft take pictures of MGS to assess its
> > condition.
> >
> > On Nov. 2, MGS mangers sent commands for the spacecraft to adjust the
> > position of one of its solar power arrays to better track the sun.
> > Returning data indicated a problem with the motor that moves the array,
> > so a backup motor and control circuitry were switched on.
> >
> > No signal was received on Nov. 3 and 4, but a weak signal was received
> > on Nov. 5, suggesting the spacecraft had switched to a safe mode and
> > was awaiting further instructions from Earth. The signal cut out
> > completely later that day and nothing has been heard since.
> >
> > Engineers think the spacecraft has performed a programmed maneuver in
> > which it turns its solar arrays toward the sun to maintain its power
> > supply. When it does this, it also reorients its entire body in the
> > same direction, thus making communication with Earth less effective.
> >
> > "The spacecraft has many redundant systems that should help us get it
> > back into a stable operation, but first we need to re-establish
> > communications," said MGS project manager Tom Thorpe of NASA's Jet
> > Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.
> >
> > It's also possible, Thorpe said, that the spacecraft was hit by a
> > micrometeorite, and that it's antenna was jolted out of alignment.
>
> Also possible some worker f------ up. Human error (whether in
> assembly, flight or operation) is usually always responsible for this
> kind of thing, not some "micrometeorite."
yea probably you!
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Date: 13 Nov 2006 10:11:41
From: Mij Adyaw
Subject: Re: NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
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I wonder if the Zeta Riticulians had something to do with this? :-)
"Sam Wormley" <swormley1@mchsi.com > wrote in message
news:45569AA1.7020005@mchsi.com...
> NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
> http://www.space.com/news/061110_mgs_missing.html
>
> By Ker Than
> Staff Writer
> posted: 10 November 2006
> 11:24 am ET
>
> This story was updated at 5:23 pm EST.
>
> NASA's Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft has failed to check in
> with Earth for the fifth straight day in a row, after losing contact
> during a routine adjustment of its solar array.
>
> If contact is not reestablished by Saturday, NASA might try to have
> another Mars-orbiting spacecraft take pictures of MGS to assess its
> condition.
>
> On Nov. 2, MGS mangers sent commands for the spacecraft to adjust the
> position of one of its solar power arrays to better track the sun.
> Returning data indicated a problem with the motor that moves the array,
> so a backup motor and control circuitry were switched on.
>
> No signal was received on Nov. 3 and 4, but a weak signal was received
> on Nov. 5, suggesting the spacecraft had switched to a safe mode and
> was awaiting further instructions from Earth. The signal cut out
> completely later that day and nothing has been heard since.
>
> Engineers think the spacecraft has performed a programmed maneuver in
> which it turns its solar arrays toward the sun to maintain its power
> supply. When it does this, it also reorients its entire body in the
> same direction, thus making communication with Earth less effective.
>
> "The spacecraft has many redundant systems that should help us get it
> back into a stable operation, but first we need to re-establish
> communications," said MGS project manager Tom Thorpe of NASA's Jet
> Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.
>
> It's also possible, Thorpe said, that the spacecraft was hit by a
> micrometeorite, and that it's antenna was jolted out of alignment.
>
> NASA is still trying to contact the spacecraft, because its ability to
> receive commands might not be impaired. But if nothing is heard from
> MSG by Saturday, NASA will ask the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)
> team to begin preperations late next week to take pictures of MGS in
> order to assess its orientation and condition. The two spacecraft pass
> within about 60 miles (100 km) of each other several times a week.
>
> "That would help a lot to determine where we are now and what commands
> we should be using," Thorpe told SPACE.com.
>
> MGS launched towards Mars just over 10 years ago, on Nov. 7, 1996, and
> marked NASA's first successful return to the red planet in two decades.
> The spacecraft was originally tasked with examining Mars for a full
> Martian year, roughly two Earth years. Operations were slated to end in
> early 2001, but like the two Mars rovers, Opportunity and Spirit, MGS
> was continued to perform so admirably that its mission was repeatedly
> extended, most recently on Oct. 1 of this year.
>
> Since its mission formally began in 1999, MGS has returned a wealth of
> data about the red planet. The spacecraft has tracked the evolution of
> a dust storm, gathered information on the Martian landscape, found
> compelling evidence of gullies apparently carved by flowing water, and
> revealed the infamous "face on Mars," originally photographed in 1976
> by Viking 1, to be nothing more than a natural landscape. It has also
> taken tens of thousands of high-resolution images of Mars and performed
> the first three-dimensional mapping of the planet's North Pole.
>
>
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Date: 14 Nov 2006 21:00:11
From: Jim Klein
Subject: Re: NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
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In the early 60's there was a cartoon of the Russian Orbiter with the
dummy on board. It read, "Dummy to earth, Dummy to earth, what's this
about not coming back ?"
Maybe MGS came to the same realization, became self aware and became
angry. :-)
Jim Klein
Sam Wormley <swormley1@mchsi.com > wrote:
>NASA Loses Contact With Mars Global Surveyor
> http://www.space.com/news/061110_mgs_missing.html
>
>By Ker Than
>Staff Writer
>posted: 10 November 2006
>11:24 am ET
>
>This story was updated at 5:23 pm EST.
>
>NASA's Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft has failed to check in
>with Earth for the fifth straight day in a row, after losing contact
>during a routine adjustment of its solar array.
>
>If contact is not reestablished by Saturday, NASA might try to have
>another Mars-orbiting spacecraft take pictures of MGS to assess its
>condition.
>
>On Nov. 2, MGS mangers sent commands for the spacecraft to adjust the
>position of one of its solar power arrays to better track the sun.
>Returning data indicated a problem with the motor that moves the array,
>so a backup motor and control circuitry were switched on.
>
>No signal was received on Nov. 3 and 4, but a weak signal was received
>on Nov. 5, suggesting the spacecraft had switched to a safe mode and
>was awaiting further instructions from Earth. The signal cut out
>completely later that day and nothing has been heard since.
>
>Engineers think the spacecraft has performed a programmed maneuver in
>which it turns its solar arrays toward the sun to maintain its power
>supply. When it does this, it also reorients its entire body in the
>same direction, thus making communication with Earth less effective.
>
>"The spacecraft has many redundant systems that should help us get it
>back into a stable operation, but first we need to re-establish
>communications," said MGS project manager Tom Thorpe of NASA's Jet
>Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.
>
>It's also possible, Thorpe said, that the spacecraft was hit by a
>micrometeorite, and that it's antenna was jolted out of alignment.
>
>NASA is still trying to contact the spacecraft, because its ability to
>receive commands might not be impaired. But if nothing is heard from
>MSG by Saturday, NASA will ask the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO)
>team to begin preperations late next week to take pictures of MGS in
>order to assess its orientation and condition. The two spacecraft pass
>within about 60 miles (100 km) of each other several times a week.
>
>"That would help a lot to determine where we are now and what commands
>we should be using," Thorpe told SPACE.com.
>
>MGS launched towards Mars just over 10 years ago, on Nov. 7, 1996, and
>marked NASA's first successful return to the red planet in two decades.
>The spacecraft was originally tasked with examining Mars for a full
>Martian year, roughly two Earth years. Operations were slated to end in
>early 2001, but like the two Mars rovers, Opportunity and Spirit, MGS
>was continued to perform so admirably that its mission was repeatedly
>extended, most recently on Oct. 1 of this year.
>
>Since its mission formally began in 1999, MGS has returned a wealth of
>data about the red planet. The spacecraft has tracked the evolution of
>a dust storm, gathered information on the Martian landscape, found
>compelling evidence of gullies apparently carved by flowing water, and
>revealed the infamous "face on Mars," originally photographed in 1976
>by Viking 1, to be nothing more than a natural landscape. It has also
>taken tens of thousands of high-resolution images of Mars and performed
>the first three-dimensional mapping of the planet's North Pole.
>
James E. Klein
jameseklein@earthlink.net
Engineering Calculations
http://www.ecalculations.com
ecalculations@ecalculations.com
Engineering Calculations is the home of
the KDP-2 Optical Design Program
for Windows.
1-818-507-5706 (Voice and Fax)
1-818-823-4121
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