DEEP IMPACT The Mission Now

Deep Impact Mission Deep Impact PI Update: –Given by Dr. Mike A’Hearn on September 11 –Look at the July PI update at

Inside The Flyby Spacecraft Instrument Module, With All Five Panels And The Telecom Top Deck Installed March, ‘03

Flyby Spacecraft Instrument Module and Propulsion Module Mated Hydrazine tank is the silver ball filling the cavity of the Instrument Module. April, ‘03

Impactor Spacecraft Being Installed On The Launch Vehicle Adapter (LVA) June, ‘ lb Impactor Cratering Mass, and the 5 debris shields are visible at base of the S/C

High Resolution Imager (HRI) & Medium Resolution Imager (MRI) Telescopes Mounted On The Instrument Platform June, ‘03

High Gain Antenna (HGA), 0.25 o Gimbal, & Tripod Mounted On The Flyby Spacecraft. July, ‘03

The Flyby S/C with the Instrument Platform and the High Gain Antenna mounted. July, ‘03

Deep Impact Mission What effect does the change in the launch date have on the mission? –More pre-flight testing –Less time for in-flight testing

Deep Impact Mission January 2004 launch: –One year orbit around the Sun –Instrument Calibration –Nineteen months December 2004 launch: –Direct path to comet –Shortened calibrations –Six months

Deep Impact Mission Interesting new insights made during mission development –Software –Hardware –How does the PI feel about these insights?

Deep Impact Mission Questions you may get from the public –Will the impact knock the comet off its path and send it toward Earth? The collision between the impactor and comet is like a pebble hitting a semi-truck traveling the freeway. There is a physical effect, but there is not enough force to knock the truck off the road or divert it from its path. (Mike will be adding to this explanation. Deep Impact FAQ’s can be found at: )

Deep Impact Mission Questions you may get from the public: –Is this mission really a test to see how to blow up a comet or to give the military information for their work? This mission is funded as a science mission. Its objectives are to study the inside of a comet to gain more knowledge about the structure and composition. In addition, the Deep Impact mission responds to the NASA goal to protect our planet by enhancing our knowledge of comets so that we may address the issue of terrestrial hazards from cometary impacts. (This is per Sandy Dawson JPL Risk Management.)

Deep Impact Mission What instruments/facilities will be observing during encounter? –Deep Impact spacecraft (Flyby & impactor) –Large telescopes (primary location - Hawaii) –Amateur astronomers (internationally) –Hubble –Others

Deep Impact Mission What are the best locations on Earth from which to observe impact? –Hawaii because it will be dark How can amateurs astronomers view the impact? ( See for small telescope observers and for general audience) Are the best observation points likely to change?

Deep Impact Mission What else should you know about the Deep Impact mission?