On 5 September 2012, Dawn concluded its successful exploration of Vesta, the second most massive object in the main asteroid belt. The spacecraft departed after 14 months in orbit and is now using its ion propulsion system to travel to dwarf planet Ceres, the most massive main-belt asteroid. The principal activity now is thrusting with the ion propulsion system to provide the 3.3 km/s required to rendezvous with Ceres early in 2015. Because two of the four reaction wheels have experienced faults and are likely unrecoverable, a substantial effort has been invested in preparing for Ceres operations with alternate attitude control methods. The project has engaged in an intensive campaign to reduce hydrazine expenditures, which has resulted in a significant increase in the hydrazine expected to be available for Ceres. Based on this work, studies provide good confidence that the required activities at Ceres can be completed. This paper describes post-Vesta operations, including measures taken to conserve hydrazine as well as other preparations for Ceres.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Dawn's operations in cruise from Vesta to Ceres


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2013-09-23


    Type of media :

    Preprint


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English



    DAWN'S Operations in Cruise from Vesta to Ceres

    Rayman, Marc D. / Mase, Robert A. | NTRS | 2013


    DAWN's Operations in Cruise from Vesta to Ceres

    Rayman, Marc D. / Mase, Robert A. | NTRS | 2013


    Dawn's Exploration of Vesta

    Rayman, Marc D. / Mase, Robert A. | NTRS | 2012


    Dawn׳s operations in cruise from Vesta to Ceres

    Rayman, Marc D. | Online Contents | 2014


    Dawn′s exploration of Vesta

    Rayman, Marc D. | Online Contents | 2014