New dawn satellite
You're referring to the New Dawn satellite!
New Dawn is a NASA Discovery-class mission that launched on June 30, 2011, with the primary goal of studying the asteroid Vesta, the second-largest object in the asteroid belt. The spacecraft was designed to orbit Vesta and gather data about its composition, geology, and evolution.
Here are some interesting facts about the New Dawn satellite:
- Mission objectives: The primary objectives of the New Dawn mission were to:
- Characterize Vesta's composition and geology.
- Study Vesta's surface features, including its craters, grooves, and bright spots.
- Investigate Vesta's internal structure and evolution.
- Spacecraft design: New Dawn was designed to be a small, lightweight spacecraft, with a mass of about 850 kg (1,874 lbs). It was equipped with a suite of scientific instruments, including cameras, spectrometers, and a gravity meter.
- Orbit: New Dawn entered into orbit around Vesta on July 16, 2011, and spent about 14 months studying the asteroid. The spacecraft's orbit was designed to allow it to study Vesta's surface from multiple angles and altitudes.
- Scientific discoveries: New Dawn made several significant scientific discoveries about Vesta, including:
- Vesta's surface is composed of basaltic rock, similar to the rocks found on Earth.
- Vesta has a large iron core, which is responsible for its strong magnetic field.
- Vesta's surface features are the result of a combination of impacts, tectonic activity, and volcanic processes.
- Legacy: New Dawn's findings have greatly expanded our understanding of Vesta and the asteroid belt. The mission has also paved the way for future asteroid missions, such as NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission, which is currently exploring the asteroid Bennu.
After completing its primary mission, New Dawn continued to orbit Vesta until its fuel ran out in July 2012. The spacecraft then entered a stable orbit around the Sun, where it remains today, serving as a "spacecraft graveyard" for future asteroid missions to study.