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Eros' saddle
 On February 1 the multispectral imager on the NEAR spacecraft acquired this image of the asteroid 433 Eros. When the image was acquired, NEAR was approximately 7,800 miles (11,600 km) from the asteroid. The image is part of a series taken during calibration tests being conducted during in the last stages of approach to the asteroid.

At this resolution of 0.7 miles (1.2 km) per pixel, a "saddle" is apparent at the upper left of the asteroid, near the terminator separating the day and night sides. This saddle, discovered in NEAR flyby images taken in December 1998, is the location of unusual bright rock deposits that scientists are eagerly waiting to see in high resolution images from Eros orbit later this month.

NEAR Burn Delayed
 Laurel - February 1, 2000 - The NEAR spacecraft went into a "safe" hold this morning while preparing for today's scheduled rendezvous burn.

The NEAR team will attempt the maneuver tomorrow and the mission remains on schedule for the Valentine's Day encounter with asteroid Eros.

The rendezvous burn is a braking maneuver designed to slow NEAR's speed relative to Eros (from 45 mph to 21 mph) and refine its trajectory toward the asteroid.

The spacecraft's onboard computer initiated the safe mode at 5 a.m. EST during a routine procedure that precedes a change in NEAR's velocity.

Mission operators stayed in constant touch with NEAR and the spacecraft appears healthy, though the NEAR team is looking into potential causes of the problem.

Upcoming Spacecraft Activities:
 In addition to regular DSN tracking and taking of OpNav images, the following are operationally significant activities planned through Eros orbit insertion.

Jan 28  Eros Satellite Search B
Feb 2   Rendezvous Maneuver
Feb 4   Eros Satellite Search C
Feb 8   Rendezvous Maneuver and Momentum Bias
Feb 9   Eros Satellite Search D
Feb 14  Eros Orbit Insertion
This article is sourced from the JHUAPL News Service for the NEAR mission

NEAR NEWS
 NEAR Team Ready For Asteroid Rendezvous Sequence
 Laurel - January 27, 2000 - NEAR has been targeted to pass directly between the Sun and Eros about 11 hours before final orbital capture. This will allow a spectral map of Eros to be taken at a 'zero phase angle' where the sun is directly overhead and the asteroid shadow free.

NEAR Reports At SpaceDaily
  • NEAR Begins To Return Eros Science
  • First Asteroid Rendezvous Days Away
  • Engine Burn Puts NEAR On Target For Eros
  • Hero NEAR But Far Away
  • NEAR Returns Basic Eros Data
  • Cutting It Fine In Deep Space
  • Fast Hack Saves NEAR
  • Burn Puts NEAR Back On Track
  • Better NEAR Than Never
  • NEAR Crisis In Deep Space
  • Is Eros A Dusty World
  • NEAR Mission Excitment Growing
  • Eros Orbital Countdown Begins
  • Eros 433 A Speck In The Void
  • NEAR Closing in on Eros 433
  • Mathailde 253 A Battered Shell
    		• NEAR Links
  • NEAR Mission Status
  • Cornell Astronomy
  • NEAR Mission Control
  • Discovery Program
  • NOE's At Planetary Society

    Related Baskets

  • TECH SPACE
  • DEEP SPACE ONE
  • STARDUST NEWS




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