Transcript Actual .ppt file here

NEAR Shoemaker Landing
Ken Ekegren
Spacecraft Goals
Orbit Eros Asteroid
 Take High Resolution Pictures
 Multiple X-Ray and Spectroscopic
Readings

The NEAR Spacecraft

A Solar Powered Satellite
 Built by JPL
 Designed for orbiting only
Components:
Landing Effort
Satellite had completed its mission
 Still had fuel
 Opportunity to attempt a landing

– Information will help in future
exploration
– Scientists can exercise control from a
huge distance
Procedures
Scientists had to create theoretical
mission
 Compare data to actual info from
NEAR
 Finalized by adding 17 seconds to
spacecraft’s clock

Current Status
NEAR is sitting on Eros
 Antenna still working
 Solar panels will soon be in shadows
 Next 3 months at -230 F

Related Documents
Plenty of websites
 Pictures and info
 Animations available
 JPL website will update
 Hope to revive spacecraft in
“summer”

Conclusion
First ever landing on something
other than moon or planet
 Will lead to landings on comets and
other asteroids
