Why was MarCO-B CubeSats flying away after InSight landed?
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Farewell to Mars
November 26, 2018
MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 4,700 miles (6,000 kilometers) away during its flyby of the Red Planet on Nov. 26, 2018. MarCO-B was flying by Mars with its twin, MarCO-A, to attempt to serve as communications relays for NASA’s InSight spacecraft as it landed on Mars. This image was taken at about 12:10 p.m. PST (3:10 p.m. EST) while MarCO-B was flying away from the planet after InSight landed.
I know the MarCO CubeSats had traveled through 7-months-long deep space journey all the way along with InSight probe to Mars. They both relay data and monitor throughout InSight's EDL procedures then transmit data back to Earth. However with the reference above, why MarCO-B was flying away from the planet after landing? I thought the two CubeSats would keep sticking to the orbit as InSight's company for the two-years-long mission? What would happens to MarCO-A in latter as well?
mars artificial-satellite nasa insight
asked 4 hours ago
si_the_nibba
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up vote
2
down vote
favorite
Farewell to Mars
November 26, 2018
MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 4,700 miles (6,000 kilometers) away during its flyby of the Red Planet on Nov. 26, 2018. MarCO-B was flying by Mars with its twin, MarCO-A, to attempt to serve as communications relays for NASA’s InSight spacecraft as it landed on Mars. This image was taken at about 12:10 p.m. PST (3:10 p.m. EST) while MarCO-B was flying away from the planet after InSight landed.
I know the MarCO CubeSats had traveled through 7-months-long deep space journey all the way along with InSight probe to Mars. They both relay data and monitor throughout InSight's EDL procedures then transmit data back to Earth. However with the reference above, why MarCO-B was flying away from the planet after landing? I thought the two CubeSats would keep sticking to the orbit as InSight's company for the two-years-long mission? What would happens to MarCO-A in latter as well?
mars artificial-satellite nasa insight
asked 4 hours ago
si_the_nibba
858
New contributor
si_the_nibba is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I hope you don't mind that I added the actual image. This is a pretty historic item! Feel free to edit or adjust further.
– uhoh
3 hours ago
1
@uhoh Definitely one of the most breathtaking image. I saw it on JPL's IG of course I wouldn't mind it.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
1
You can see the camera that took this image in this answer
– uhoh
2 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
up vote
2
down vote
favorite
Farewell to Mars
November 26, 2018
MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 4,700 miles (6,000 kilometers) away during its flyby of the Red Planet on Nov. 26, 2018. MarCO-B was flying by Mars with its twin, MarCO-A, to attempt to serve as communications relays for NASA’s InSight spacecraft as it landed on Mars. This image was taken at about 12:10 p.m. PST (3:10 p.m. EST) while MarCO-B was flying away from the planet after InSight landed.
I know the MarCO CubeSats had traveled through 7-months-long deep space journey all the way along with InSight probe to Mars. They both relay data and monitor throughout InSight's EDL procedures then transmit data back to Earth. However with the reference above, why MarCO-B was flying away from the planet after landing? I thought the two CubeSats would keep sticking to the orbit as InSight's company for the two-years-long mission? What would happens to MarCO-A in latter as well?
mars artificial-satellite nasa insight
asked 4 hours ago
si_the_nibba
858
New contributor
si_the_nibba is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Farewell to Mars
November 26, 2018
MarCO-B, one of the experimental Mars Cube One (MarCO) CubeSats, took this image of Mars from about 4,700 miles (6,000 kilometers) away during its flyby of the Red Planet on Nov. 26, 2018. MarCO-B was flying by Mars with its twin, MarCO-A, to attempt to serve as communications relays for NASA’s InSight spacecraft as it landed on Mars. This image was taken at about 12:10 p.m. PST (3:10 p.m. EST) while MarCO-B was flying away from the planet after InSight landed.
I know the MarCO CubeSats had traveled through 7-months-long deep space journey all the way along with InSight probe to Mars. They both relay data and monitor throughout InSight's EDL procedures then transmit data back to Earth. However with the reference above, why MarCO-B was flying away from the planet after landing? I thought the two CubeSats would keep sticking to the orbit as InSight's company for the two-years-long mission? What would happens to MarCO-A in latter as well?
mars artificial-satellite nasa insight
mars artificial-satellite nasa insight
asked 4 hours ago
si_the_nibba
858
New contributor
si_the_nibba is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 4 hours ago
si_the_nibba
858
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edited 2 hours ago
asked 4 hours ago
si_the_nibba
858
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asked 4 hours ago
si_the_nibba
858
asked 4 hours ago
si_the_nibba
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858
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si_the_nibba is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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New contributor
si_the_nibba is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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Check out our Code of Conduct.
I hope you don't mind that I added the actual image. This is a pretty historic item! Feel free to edit or adjust further.
– uhoh
3 hours ago
1
@uhoh Definitely one of the most breathtaking image. I saw it on JPL's IG of course I wouldn't mind it.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
1
You can see the camera that took this image in this answer
– uhoh
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I hope you don't mind that I added the actual image. This is a pretty historic item! Feel free to edit or adjust further.
– uhoh
3 hours ago
1
@uhoh Definitely one of the most breathtaking image. I saw it on JPL's IG of course I wouldn't mind it.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
1
You can see the camera that took this image in this answer
– uhoh
2 hours ago
I hope you don't mind that I added the actual image. This is a pretty historic item! Feel free to edit or adjust further.
– uhoh
3 hours ago
I hope you don't mind that I added the actual image. This is a pretty historic item! Feel free to edit or adjust further.
– uhoh
3 hours ago
1
1
@uhoh Definitely one of the most breathtaking image. I saw it on JPL's IG of course I wouldn't mind it.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
@uhoh Definitely one of the most breathtaking image. I saw it on JPL's IG of course I wouldn't mind it.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
1
1
You can see the camera that took this image in this answer
– uhoh
2 hours ago
You can see the camera that took this image in this answer
– uhoh
2 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Neither the MarCO satellites nor InSight itself had the ability to enter Martian orbit - the interplanetary approach to Mars is quite fast, and it takes a lot of fuel to slow down enough for Mars to capture a probe. InSight itself used Mars's atmosphere to slow itself down, but the MarCO satellites had neither heat shields nor significant maneuvering capacity, so they had no way to stop.
MarCO wasn't required for the InSight EDL, by the way; their ability to relay telemetry in real time was convenient but not critical to the mission. They were more of a technology demonstration than a necessary piece of the system.
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
77.5k2250336
So MarCOs weren't its necessity at the first place? That said, InSight is able to take care of itself throughout the mission after landed?
– si_the_nibba
4 hours ago
1
MarCOs weren't necessary; I believe InSight will rely on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as a main communication relay with Earth going forward.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
Where would they go after this? Are the two CubeSats going to slowly drift away into deep space overtime? That's sad, though.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
1
They'll drift forever in an orbit around the sun, like many interplanetary probes and transfer stages have before them. They aren't going fast enough to leave the solar system.
– Russell Borogove
2 hours ago
Are those considered as space trash just like any other before the CubeSats?
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
The MarCOs where sent together with InSight, towards mars.
They don't have any way of propelling themself; so they cannot alter their trajectory.
Since they where BEFORE InSight corrected itself towards a collision course, they had no other chance but to do a flyby of Mars.
InSight was on a collision course, and lost it's orbital velocity in Mars atmosphere.
Since one of the CubeSats goals was to relay telemetry to earth right after/during the landing, they couldn't be made to land with InSight since they wouldn't have been able to relay InSight signals.
answered 1 hour ago
Antzi
7,65312450
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
Neither the MarCO satellites nor InSight itself had the ability to enter Martian orbit - the interplanetary approach to Mars is quite fast, and it takes a lot of fuel to slow down enough for Mars to capture a probe. InSight itself used Mars's atmosphere to slow itself down, but the MarCO satellites had neither heat shields nor significant maneuvering capacity, so they had no way to stop.
MarCO wasn't required for the InSight EDL, by the way; their ability to relay telemetry in real time was convenient but not critical to the mission. They were more of a technology demonstration than a necessary piece of the system.
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
77.5k2250336
So MarCOs weren't its necessity at the first place? That said, InSight is able to take care of itself throughout the mission after landed?
– si_the_nibba
4 hours ago
1
MarCOs weren't necessary; I believe InSight will rely on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as a main communication relay with Earth going forward.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
Where would they go after this? Are the two CubeSats going to slowly drift away into deep space overtime? That's sad, though.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
1
They'll drift forever in an orbit around the sun, like many interplanetary probes and transfer stages have before them. They aren't going fast enough to leave the solar system.
– Russell Borogove
2 hours ago
Are those considered as space trash just like any other before the CubeSats?
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
4
down vote
Neither the MarCO satellites nor InSight itself had the ability to enter Martian orbit - the interplanetary approach to Mars is quite fast, and it takes a lot of fuel to slow down enough for Mars to capture a probe. InSight itself used Mars's atmosphere to slow itself down, but the MarCO satellites had neither heat shields nor significant maneuvering capacity, so they had no way to stop.
MarCO wasn't required for the InSight EDL, by the way; their ability to relay telemetry in real time was convenient but not critical to the mission. They were more of a technology demonstration than a necessary piece of the system.
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
77.5k2250336
So MarCOs weren't its necessity at the first place? That said, InSight is able to take care of itself throughout the mission after landed?
– si_the_nibba
4 hours ago
1
MarCOs weren't necessary; I believe InSight will rely on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as a main communication relay with Earth going forward.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
Where would they go after this? Are the two CubeSats going to slowly drift away into deep space overtime? That's sad, though.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
1
They'll drift forever in an orbit around the sun, like many interplanetary probes and transfer stages have before them. They aren't going fast enough to leave the solar system.
– Russell Borogove
2 hours ago
Are those considered as space trash just like any other before the CubeSats?
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
4
down vote
up vote
4
down vote
Neither the MarCO satellites nor InSight itself had the ability to enter Martian orbit - the interplanetary approach to Mars is quite fast, and it takes a lot of fuel to slow down enough for Mars to capture a probe. InSight itself used Mars's atmosphere to slow itself down, but the MarCO satellites had neither heat shields nor significant maneuvering capacity, so they had no way to stop.
MarCO wasn't required for the InSight EDL, by the way; their ability to relay telemetry in real time was convenient but not critical to the mission. They were more of a technology demonstration than a necessary piece of the system.
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
77.5k2250336
Neither the MarCO satellites nor InSight itself had the ability to enter Martian orbit - the interplanetary approach to Mars is quite fast, and it takes a lot of fuel to slow down enough for Mars to capture a probe. InSight itself used Mars's atmosphere to slow itself down, but the MarCO satellites had neither heat shields nor significant maneuvering capacity, so they had no way to stop.
MarCO wasn't required for the InSight EDL, by the way; their ability to relay telemetry in real time was convenient but not critical to the mission. They were more of a technology demonstration than a necessary piece of the system.
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
77.5k2250336
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
77.5k2250336
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
77.5k2250336
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
77.5k2250336
77.5k2250336
So MarCOs weren't its necessity at the first place? That said, InSight is able to take care of itself throughout the mission after landed?
– si_the_nibba
4 hours ago
1
MarCOs weren't necessary; I believe InSight will rely on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as a main communication relay with Earth going forward.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
Where would they go after this? Are the two CubeSats going to slowly drift away into deep space overtime? That's sad, though.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
1
They'll drift forever in an orbit around the sun, like many interplanetary probes and transfer stages have before them. They aren't going fast enough to leave the solar system.
– Russell Borogove
2 hours ago
Are those considered as space trash just like any other before the CubeSats?
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
So MarCOs weren't its necessity at the first place? That said, InSight is able to take care of itself throughout the mission after landed?
– si_the_nibba
4 hours ago
1
MarCOs weren't necessary; I believe InSight will rely on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as a main communication relay with Earth going forward.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
Where would they go after this? Are the two CubeSats going to slowly drift away into deep space overtime? That's sad, though.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
1
They'll drift forever in an orbit around the sun, like many interplanetary probes and transfer stages have before them. They aren't going fast enough to leave the solar system.
– Russell Borogove
2 hours ago
Are those considered as space trash just like any other before the CubeSats?
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
So MarCOs weren't its necessity at the first place? That said, InSight is able to take care of itself throughout the mission after landed?
– si_the_nibba
4 hours ago
So MarCOs weren't its necessity at the first place? That said, InSight is able to take care of itself throughout the mission after landed?
– si_the_nibba
4 hours ago
1
1
MarCOs weren't necessary; I believe InSight will rely on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as a main communication relay with Earth going forward.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
MarCOs weren't necessary; I believe InSight will rely on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter as a main communication relay with Earth going forward.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
Where would they go after this? Are the two CubeSats going to slowly drift away into deep space overtime? That's sad, though.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
Where would they go after this? Are the two CubeSats going to slowly drift away into deep space overtime? That's sad, though.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
1
1
They'll drift forever in an orbit around the sun, like many interplanetary probes and transfer stages have before them. They aren't going fast enough to leave the solar system.
– Russell Borogove
2 hours ago
They'll drift forever in an orbit around the sun, like many interplanetary probes and transfer stages have before them. They aren't going fast enough to leave the solar system.
– Russell Borogove
2 hours ago
Are those considered as space trash just like any other before the CubeSats?
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
Are those considered as space trash just like any other before the CubeSats?
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
The MarCOs where sent together with InSight, towards mars.
They don't have any way of propelling themself; so they cannot alter their trajectory.
Since they where BEFORE InSight corrected itself towards a collision course, they had no other chance but to do a flyby of Mars.
InSight was on a collision course, and lost it's orbital velocity in Mars atmosphere.
Since one of the CubeSats goals was to relay telemetry to earth right after/during the landing, they couldn't be made to land with InSight since they wouldn't have been able to relay InSight signals.
answered 1 hour ago
Antzi
7,65312450
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
The MarCOs where sent together with InSight, towards mars.
They don't have any way of propelling themself; so they cannot alter their trajectory.
Since they where BEFORE InSight corrected itself towards a collision course, they had no other chance but to do a flyby of Mars.
InSight was on a collision course, and lost it's orbital velocity in Mars atmosphere.
Since one of the CubeSats goals was to relay telemetry to earth right after/during the landing, they couldn't be made to land with InSight since they wouldn't have been able to relay InSight signals.
answered 1 hour ago
Antzi
7,65312450
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
The MarCOs where sent together with InSight, towards mars.
They don't have any way of propelling themself; so they cannot alter their trajectory.
Since they where BEFORE InSight corrected itself towards a collision course, they had no other chance but to do a flyby of Mars.
InSight was on a collision course, and lost it's orbital velocity in Mars atmosphere.
Since one of the CubeSats goals was to relay telemetry to earth right after/during the landing, they couldn't be made to land with InSight since they wouldn't have been able to relay InSight signals.
answered 1 hour ago
Antzi
7,65312450
The MarCOs where sent together with InSight, towards mars.
They don't have any way of propelling themself; so they cannot alter their trajectory.
Since they where BEFORE InSight corrected itself towards a collision course, they had no other chance but to do a flyby of Mars.
InSight was on a collision course, and lost it's orbital velocity in Mars atmosphere.
Since one of the CubeSats goals was to relay telemetry to earth right after/during the landing, they couldn't be made to land with InSight since they wouldn't have been able to relay InSight signals.
answered 1 hour ago
Antzi
7,65312450
answered 1 hour ago
Antzi
7,65312450
answered 1 hour ago
Antzi
7,65312450
answered 1 hour ago
Antzi
7,65312450
7,65312450
add a comment |
add a comment |
si_the_nibba is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
si_the_nibba is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
si_the_nibba is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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I hope you don't mind that I added the actual image. This is a pretty historic item! Feel free to edit or adjust further.
– uhoh
3 hours ago
1
@uhoh Definitely one of the most breathtaking image. I saw it on JPL's IG of course I wouldn't mind it.
– si_the_nibba
2 hours ago
1
You can see the camera that took this image in this answer
– uhoh
2 hours ago