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Emily Lakdawalla • Jul 24, 2007
Canned Phoenix, anyone?
The last time I posted photos of Phoenix was two months ago, and they've made a lot of progress since then, preparing for their launch.
First, here's a neat photo from about a month ago, when they were showing off Phoenix to the media. We're looking at the underside of the spacecraft, so you can see the three footpads (white circles) and the twelve thrusters (currently capped with red plugs) that represent Phoenix' landing system.
NASA / Kim Shiflett
The belly of the Phoenix
On June 26, 2007, photographers were treated to a view of the Phoenix Mars lander, encased in its backshell. The view is of the underside of the spacecraft.
NASA / Dimitri Gerondidakis
Phoenix is mated to its upper stage booster
In the Hazardous Payload Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center on July 17, 2007, the Phoenix Mars lander is guided on to its upper stage booster.
NASA / Troy Cryder
Mounting the heat shield onto Phoenix
In the Hazardous Payload Servicing Facility, workers guide the heat shield onto the Phoenix Mars lander. The heat shield will protect the lander and slow its descent into Mars' atmosphere.
NASA / Kim Shiflett
Canning Phoenix
On July 20, 2007, in the Hazardous Payload Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, Phoenix is prepared for transport to its launch pad. The spacecraft has been mated to its upper stage booster, wrapped in protective plastic, and placed atop one half of a shipping canister. The top of the shipping canister is being lowered to cover the spacecraft.
NASA / George Shelton
Lifting Phoenix to the top of the mobile service tower
In the early morning hours of July 23, 2007, Phoenix (encased in a protective shipping canister) is lifted to the top of the mobile service tower at launch pad 17-A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.| Date | Instant One | Instant Two |
|---|---|---|
| August 3 | 09:35:18 | 10:11:24 |
| August 4 | 09:26:31 | 10:02:55 |
| August 5 | 09:17:23 | 09:53:59 |
| August 6 | 09:07:48 | 09:44:32 |
| August 7 | 08:57:36 | 09:34:29 |
| August 8 | 08:46:45 | 09:23:52 |
| August 9 | 08:35:51 | 09:12:57 |
| August 10 | 08:24:24 | 09:01:38 |
| August 11 | 08:12:14 | 08:49:39 |
| August 12 | 07:58:26 | 08:36:55 |
| August 13 | 07:44:52 | 08:23:21 |
| August 14 | 07:30:30 | 08:08:51 |
| August 15 | 07:13:45 | 07:53:18 |
| August 16 | 07:57:25 | 07:36:33 |
| August 17 | 07:38:04 | 07:18:22 |
| August 18 | 07:15:51 | 07:54:59 |
| August 19 | 07:00:50 | 07:39:36 |
| August 20 | 06:44:09 | 07:23:08 |
| August 21 | 06:26:03 | 07:05:22 |
| August 22 | 06:06:37 | 06:46:03 |
| August 23 | 05:43:32 | 06:24:47 |
| August 24 | 05:18:59 | 06:01:02 |
Meanwhile, at the other pad, the entire process was proceeding in reverse for Dawn.
 Back indoors for Dawn On July 22, 2007, the Dawn spacecraft and its upper stage motor were replaced in their shipping canister and removed from the Delta II launch vehicle on pad 17-B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. It was moved by truck back to the Hazardous Payload Processing Facility at Astrotech. It will be returned to the pad after the launch of the Phoenix mission to Mars. Credit: Top row: NASA / George Shelton. Bottom row: NASA / Charisse Nahser |
