The NEAR team will attempt the maneuver tomorrow and the mission remains on schedule for the Valentine's Day encounter with asteroid Eros.

The rendezvous burn is a braking maneuver designed to slow NEAR's speed relative to Eros (from 45 mph to 21 mph) and refine its trajectory toward the asteroid.

The spacecraft's onboard computer initiated the safe mode at 5 a.m. EST during a routine procedure that precedes a change in NEAR's velocity.

Mission operators stayed in constant touch with NEAR and the spacecraft appears healthy, though the NEAR team is looking into potential causes of the problem.

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.

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

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