NASA's CubeSat is heading to Mars

NASA's CubeSat is heading to Mars

The artistic conduct of one of NASA's MarCO. MarCO Twins - the first CubeSat to complete a trajectory correction maneuver to head for the Red Planet

NASA has a leading position in the technology of tiny spacecraft CubeSat, opening a new access to space. Last week, two MarCO-A and MarCO-B space vehicles carried out firing of their propulsion systems (a trajectory correction maneuver) to head for Mars after launch. Both maneuvered successfully, and the InSight spacecraft went through this process on May 22.

MarCO's mission started on May 5th along with the InSight landing pad, which is due to land on the Red Planet on November 26th. The satellites are designed so that they accompany InSight on their way to Mars and redirect data on the mission’s entry into the atmosphere and landing. MarCO satellites did not plan to collect scientific data. This is a test of communication and navigation technology. MarCO A and B have successfully completed a set of communication texts in the last couple of weeks, demonstrating the possibilities of operating inexpensive CubeSat technology. MarCO-A adjusted its course to Mars relatively smoothly, but MarCO-B ran into unexpected problems. His maneuver was less due to a leaky valve. Leakage creates small changes in the trajectory. Engineers accounted for these jerks. Researchers will be watching the satellite for a few more weeks to refine these shocks.

As soon as the team analyzes the data, they will know the size of the following maneuvers. To reach Mars, you will need a few more course corrections. If they get to the Red Planet, they will try to transfer data to Earth about the landing process of InSight. But they play the role of additional funds, because the main information will come from the MRO.

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