Deployment of second MARSIS boom delayed

User rating: not rated yet

MARSIS
The deployment of the second antenna boom of the Mars Express Sub-Surface Sounding Radar Altimeter (MARSIS) science experiment has been delayed pending investigation of an anomaly found during deployment of the first antenna boom.
The anomaly was discovered on 7 May towards the end of the first deployment operations. Deployment of the first boom started on Wednesday 4 May. The problem with the boom was confirmed by flight control engineers working at ESA's European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, on 7 May, after which further activity was stopped pending a full assessment of the situation. The decision to delay deployment of Boom 2 pending clarification of the situation and implications was made on 8 May.


Full story »

All News summaries from Space & Earth science news
All News summaries for May 09, 2005

NASA study finds rising Arctic storm activity sways sea ice, climate

2 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
A new NASA study shows that the rising frequency and intensity of arctic storms over the last half century, attributed to progressively warmer waters, directly provoked acceleration of the rate of arctic sea ice drift, long ...

Lichens function as indicators of nitrogen pollution in forests

3 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
Scientists have found lichens can give insight into nitrogen air pollution effects on Sierra Nevada and San Bernardino mountain ecosystems, and protecting them provides safeguards for less sensitive species.

NASA spacecraft ready to explore outer solar system

4 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
The first NASA spacecraft to image and map the dynamic interactions taking place where the hot solar wind slams into the cold expanse of space is ready for launch Oct. 19. The two-year mission will begin from ...

University professor stresses links between US Navy sonar and whale strandings

4 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review a series of lower court rulings that restrict the Navy's use of sonar in submarine detection training exercises off the coast of Southern California. The court ...

India to launch unmanned lunar mission this month

4 hours ago | User rating: not rated yet
India will launch its first lunar mission on October 22 from southern India, a top official from the country's space agency said Monday.