Phobos-Grunt's main engine will be test fired tonight
First attempt to start the propulsion unit of the "Phobos-Grunt" interplanetary probe that had failed to eject onto a Mars-bound trajectory, will commence tonight, reports ITAR-TASS.
A source from rocket&space industry said: "We plan the first attempt to start the propulsion unit of the "Phobos-Grunt" interplanetary probe for 21:16 Moscow time (17:16 UTC)". Specialists say the spacecraft will be situated in a best point of its orbit for a proper boosting burn.
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Roscosmos specialists will attempt to save Phobos-Grunt tonight
November 9, 2011, 17:40
Moscow, November 9. INTERFAX.RU - Speciatists of Roscosmos will attempt to eject Phobos-Grunt spacecraft to a Mars-bound trajectory during the night of Wednesday and Thursday's morning, told a source in the rocket&space industry to Interfax AVN.
According to him, at 23:00 Moscow time (19:00 UTC) Phobos-Grunt will pass within visibility range of the primary measurement and command centre in Baikonur. At this time, specialists will collect telemetry information from the spacecraft, that will allow them to determine the exact cause of the issue.
After analyzing the information, measures will be taken to address the problem, if it is found solvable. If possible, manoeuveres to boost into the intermediate orbit and then to escape trajectory will also be performed.
The source highlighted that Phobos-Grunt will appear in range of Russian tracking stations earlier, about 21:30 MSK (17:30 UTC), but only Baikonur station is capable of gathering the full set of telemetry information and, what's most important, to issue the command to perform the manoeuvres.
"Having the issues with the present orbit's height and electric supply of equipment, we have to perform boosting as soon as possible. But undue hurry is not desirable, as well. One error now may cost us the whole mission" - he remarked.
---------- Post added at 10:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:29 PM ----------
November 9, 2011, 17:40
Moscow, November 9. INTERFAX.RU - Speciatists of Roscosmos will attempt to eject Phobos-Grunt spacecraft to a Mars-bound trajectory during the night of Wednesday and Thursday's morning, told a source in the rocket&space industry to Interfax AVN.
According to him, at 23:00 Moscow time (19:00 UTC) Phobos-Grunt will pass within visibility range of the primary measurement and command centre in Baikonur. At this time, specialists will collect telemetry information from the spacecraft, that will allow them to determine the exact cause of the issue.
After analyzing the information, measures will be taken to address the problem, if it is found solvable. If possible, manoeuveres to boost into the intermediate orbit and then to escape trajectory will also be performed.
The source highlighted that Phobos-Grunt will appear in range of Russian tracking stations earlier, about 21:30 MSK (17:30 UTC), but only Baikonur station is capable of gathering the full set of telemetry information and, what's most important, to issue the command to perform the manoeuvres.
"Having the issues with the present orbit's height and electric supply of equipment, we have to perform boosting as soon as possible. But undue hurry is not desirable, as well. One error now may cost us the whole mission" - he remarked.