NASA gives two successful spacecraft new assignments [ Stardust and Deep Impact ]

Spaceflight Now ^ | July 5, 2007 | NASA et al

[SunkenCiv]

The duo will make new observations of comets and characterize extrasolar planets. Stardust and Deep Impact will use their flight-proven hardware to perform new, previously unplanned, investigations... The EPOXI mission melds two compelling science investigations -- the Deep Impact Extended Investigation (DIXI) and the Extrasolar Planet Observation and Characterization (EPOCh). Both investigations will be performed using the Deep Impact spacecraft, which finished its prime mission in 2005... EPOCh's sensitivity will exceed both current ground and space-based observatory capabilities. EPOCh also will measure the mid-infrared spectrum of the Earth, providing comparative data for future efforts to study the atmospheres of extrasolar planets. This search for extrasolar planets will be made this year, en route to comet Boethin... John Mather, Chief Scientist for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, said, "EPOXI is a wonderful opportunity to add to our growing body of knowledge of exoplanets. Watching planets go behind or in front of their parent stars can tell us about their atmospheric chemistry."

[SunkenCiv]

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An artist's concept shows the Deep Impact spacecraft. Credit: NASA

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[SunkenCiv]

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[KevinDavis]

[SunkenCiv]

Wow. Kinda quiet topic after all... :’(