(APL) in Laurel, Maryland report that commands have been sent to NEAR Shoemaker to start science operations on the asteroids surface. APL both designed and is managing the asteroid surveying craft for NASA.Data is being collected by both the Gamma Ray Spectrometer, as well as an onboard magnetometer.
To date, no magnetic field has been found at Eros. Discovery of an intrinsic magnetic field at Eros would be the first definitive detection of magnetism at an asteroid. The find would have important implications about the space rocks thermal and geologic history.
Contact!
"Were pretty sure the spacecraft has received commands. Theres been a voltage drain, indicating the Gamma Ray instrument is doing what it needs to do," said Helen Worth, an APL spokeswoman.
The relaying of science data from the asteroid to Earth is expected around 11:23 a.m. EST (16:23 GMT) Sunday. However, it is likely to take until early Monday to ascertain whether data received is useful, Worth told SPACE.com.
NASA gave the go-ahead for engineers and scientists to remain in radio lock with NEAR Shoemaker after the craft gently touched down on Eros February 12.
The mission was to conclude two days later. A surprise to many, the probe remained intact and in good working order after coming to a stop on the asteroids rocky surface.
NASA extended the mission for up to 10 days. There is the possibility of a further extension, to assure that enough listening time from ground stations is found.
Following four-year a journey of more than 2 billion miles (3.2 billion kilometers), and a yearlong observational campaign around Eros, NEAR Shoemaker braked itself onto the asteroid, plopping down at less than 4 miles per hour (between 1.5 and 1.8 meters per second).
If the science data direct from the asteroid is received on Earth, it will be almost five years to the day after being launched.
"Were in contact and delighted," said Robert Farquhar, NEAR mission director at APL. "We expect to have all the data that we need by the end of February," he told SPACE.com.
High science on low-gain
The car-sized spacecraft had already gleaned 10 times more data during its circling of Eros than originally planned. It completed all the missions science goals before Mondays landing on the boulder-strewn mini-world.
Science data is being slowly transmitted through the spacecrafts low-gain antenna, at just 10 bytes per second.
"We dont know if the instruments still working," said Jacob Trombka, NEAR team leader for the X-ray Gamma Ray Spectrometer at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. "The detectors are very hardy. The thing Im more worried about is the wiring and all the electronic connections," he said.
"We wont know if its working until Sunday. Were looking forward to seeing our first data right from the surface," Trombka told SPACE.com.
Trombka said the Gamma Ray device will take a period of time to stabilize and provide the best and most reliable science information. The detector itself is anywhere from in the dusty covering of Eros to sitting about a 3.3 feet (1 meter) above the surface. "It doesnt make much difference," he said.
"Within seven days to 10 days we should have a good data set," Trombka said. "If we get data, this is going to be an extremely good test of this sensor for future missions, particularly for rovers on Mars," he said.
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