Phoenix Landing: Nerves and Joy
05.25.08
Atmospheric entry on my mark. Five ... four ... three ... two ... one ... mark.
We have now entered the atmosphere and are starting to slow down.
Phoenix now one minute past the entry point. We still have a signal by direct, by Odyssey.
At this point in time Phoenix goes nominally through peak heating.
At this time we still see a signal by Odyssey.
Standing by for auto switch. Switch to 32K in 45 seconds.
Stop of Odyssey ... data and switch to 32K in 10 seconds. Odyssey switch to 32K detected. We have Odyssey locked up on Phoenix carrier.
Standing by for expected parachute deployment and Phoenix switch to 32K.
At this point in time, Phoenix will have nominally deployed its parachute. Standing by for telemetry acquisition.
(Cheers)
Phoenix switch to 32K detected.
We have data lockup. Parachute deployment trigger detected. Heat shield trigger detected. Ground relative velocity 90 meters per second.
(cheers)
Ground relative velocity 80 meters per second.
At this point in time standing by for radar RF on and altitude convergence.
Radar switch to altitude mode. Standing by for altitude convergence.
Landing leg deployment trigger detected.
Ground relative velocity 60 meters per second. Standing by for altitude convergence.
Radar reliable. Altitude 2,000 meters. Altitude convergence detected.
Altitude 1,800 meters. 1,700 meters ... 1,600 meters.
Standing by for lander separation. Altitude 1,100 meters.
Signal may drop out during lander separation.
Altitude 1,000 meters.
Lander separation detected. We have reacquired the signal. Gravity turn detected.
(cheers)
Altitude 600 meters ... 500 meters ... 400 meters ... 250 meters ... 150 meters ... 100 meters ... 80 meters ... 50 meters.
... detected. Altitude 40 meters ... 30 meters ... 27 meters ... 20 meters ... 16 meters ... standing by for touchdown.
Touchdown signal detected.
(Cheers)
Landing sequence initiated. Helium vent detected. Standing by for nominal termination of EDL comm.
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