The NEAR operations team has completed the final flight test last week, with the spacecraft performing flawlessly during a 30-hour rehearsal of the rendezvous sequence that will precede final orbital insertion about asteroid Eros.
The sequence includes a low-phase flyby on Feb. 13, during which NEAR will fly directly between Eros and the sun. The pass affords a unique opportunity to map the minerals on Eros' northern half under optimal lighting; a similar operation in October will cover the asteroid's southern hemisphere.
Meanwhile, no significant problems with DSN support have occured since the start of Eros approach operations. NEAR remains on course for its Feb. 14 rendezvous with Eros, which is now about 23,920 kilometers away from the spacecraft.
The NEAR team continues searching for small moons or space debris around Eros, though none appear in the approach images NEAR has taken over the past two weeks.
Upcoming Spacecraft Activities:
In addition to regular DSN tracking and taking of OpNav images, the following are operationally significant activities planned through Eros orbit insertion. Please consult the NEAR Flight Timeline for more details regarding upcoming science activities.
Jan 28 Eros Satellite Search B
Feb 2 Rendezvous Maneuver
Feb 4 Eros Satellite Search C
Feb 8 Rendezvous Maneuver and Momentum Bias
Feb 9 Eros Satellite Search D
Feb 14 Eros Orbit Insertion
This article is partially based on NEAR Science Report
