August 25, 2011
Dawn Spacecraft in Vesta Orbit
The Dawn spacecraft is now in orbit around Vesta and obtaining images at
resolution 1 kilometer and better. These are being posted daily on the JPL
Dawn website, http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov, as an “image of the day” series. I can
highly recommend visiting this web site regularly.
Frederick Pilcher
ALPO Minor Planets Section Coordinator
March 22, 2011
Dawn Spacecraft Approaches Vesta
The Dawn spacecraft is now only 4.2 million kilometers from Vesta, and
will reach its target in another four months. The most comprehensive
description which I have ever read about the maneuverings by the ion thrust
engine, and the plan to achieve science goals while in orbit, has been posted.
http://blogs.jpl.nasa.gov/2011/03/dawn-spacecraft-creeping-up-on-Vesta/
Frederick Pilcher
ALPO Minor Planets Section Coordinator