2000 Jan 24
NEAR Aces Final Flight Test
The NEAR spacecraft passed its final flight test last week, flawlessly rehearsing the 30-hour rendezvous sequence that will precede its orbit of asteroid Eros.The sequence includes a low-phase flyby on Feb. 13, during which NEAR will fly directly between Eros and the sun. The pass affords a unique opportunity to map the minerals on Eros' northern half under optimal lighting; a similar operation in October will cover the asteroid's southern hemisphere.
NEAR remains on course for its Feb. 14 rendezvous with Eros, which is now about 15,250 miles (24,400 kilometers) away from the spacecraft. The NEAR team continues searching for small moons or space debris around Eros, though none appear in the approach images NEAR has taken over the past two weeks. The latest pictures from NEAR -- as well as a second movie of the asteroid's rotation -- will appear on the NEAR Web site this week.
