[meteorite-list] Dawn Holding in Second Mapping Orbit

[Ron Baalke]

http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.php?feature=4649

Dawn Holding in Second Mapping Orbit
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
July 6, 2015

DAWN MISSION STATUS REPORT

NASA's Dawn spacecraft is healthy and stable, after experiencing an anomaly 
in the system that controls its orientation. It is still in its second 
mapping orbit 2,700 miles (4,400 kilometers) above dwarf planet Ceres.

On June 30, shortly after turning on its ion engine to begin the gradual 
spiral down to the next mapping orbit, its protective software detected 
the anomaly. Dawn responded as designed by stopping all activities (including 
thrusting), reconfiguring its systems to safe mode and transmitting a 
radio signal to request further instructions. On July 1 and 2, engineers 
made configuration changes needed to return the spacecraft to its normal 
operating mode. The spacecraft is out of safe mode, using the main antenna 
to communicate with Earth.

Dawn will remain at its current orbital altitude until the operations 
team has completed an analysis of what occurred and has updated the flight 
plan.

Because of the versatility of Dawn's ion propulsion system and the flexibility 
of the mission's plan for exploring Ceres, there is no special "window" 
for starting or completing the spiral to the third mapping orbit. The 
plans for the third and fourth mapping orbits can be shifted to new dates 
without significant changes in objectives or productivity.

More information on the Dawn mission is online at:

http://www.nasa.gov/dawn

http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov


Media Contact

Elizabeth Landau
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.
818-354-6425
Elizabeth.Landau at jpl.nasa.gov 

2015-229