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Rosetta swingby update - 22:00 CET 24 February

24 February 2007

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Mars as seen by Rosetta's navigation camera (NAVCAM) during approach 24 February 2007. The image was taken at 19:32 CET from a distance of 237 477 km.

Credits: ESA

Spectacular view of Mars

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This slew was conducted before the 25 February swingby in order to orient Rosetta to observe Mars. It takes the spacecraft from the 'default' cruise orientation to the correct observation orientation.

Credits: ESA - C. Carreau

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This slew brings the spacecraft back to the default cruise orientation and adds an additional slew to prepare for the swingby, during which:

all Rosetta instruments are switched off; only the lander instruments will operate
all Rosetta instruments are rotated into shadow before the spacecraft actually swings behind Mars (they will therefore not 'see' any difference and there is no risk of an unwanted automated reaction
Rosetta instruments are pointing in the correct direction to observe Phobos when Rosetta exits the shadow of Mars, without additional slews

Credits: ESA - C. Carreau

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