Here's a Quick Guide to the Mission Section:
WHERE IS THE ORBITER NOW?:
MISSION TEAM:
![mission team](images/team-th.jpg) |
MISSION TEAM |
The people who are making this mission possible
|
LAUNCH VEHICLE, SPACECRAFT, & INSTRUMENTS:
![launch vehicle](images/launch-vehicle-th.jpg) |
LAUNCH VEHICLE |
Learn all about the rocket that launched the spacecraft
|
MISSION TIMELINE:
![Pre-launch activities - Rover 2 moved to workstand](images/pre-launch-th.jpg) |
PRE-LAUNCH ACTIVITIES |
Preparation for the mission, including assembly and testing, delivery to Cape Canaveral and mission rehearsals
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090813151957im_/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/images/spacer.gif) |
![launch](images/launch-th.jpg) |
LAUNCH |
Lift-off from Earth
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090813151957im_/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/images/spacer.gif) |
![cruise](images/cruise-th.jpg) |
CRUISE |
Voyage through space
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090813151957im_/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/images/spacer.gif) |
![Approach](images/approach-th.jpg) |
APPROACH |
Nearing the red planet Mars
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090813151957im_/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/images/spacer.gif) |
![Mars orbit insertion](images/moi-th.jpg) |
MARS ORBIT INSERTION |
Capture into a looping orbit around Mars
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090813151957im_/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/images/spacer.gif) |
![Aerobraking](images/aerobraking-th.jpg) |
AEROBRAKING |
Using the martian atmosphere to slow down and achieve the proper science orbit
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090813151957im_/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/images/spacer.gif) |
![science operations](images/science-ops-th.jpg) |
SCIENCE OPERATIONS |
Learning about Mars through the day-to-day activities of the orbiter
|
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090813151957im_/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/images/spacer.gif) |
![Spirit performs surface operations](images/telecomm-relay-th.jpg) |
COMMUNICATIONS RELAY |
Support Mars exploration by providing communications support for future missions
|
COMMUNICATIONS WITH EARTH: