[blam]

"correction... now I'm confused by the thread... it's as in the post above... 8:30 PM PST. 11:30 PM EST."

"It looks like there will not be confirmation of safe landing for about 24 hours (when signals and comm is established)"

Thanks. Watching the news at the above time will not verify a success or failure of the mission, correct?

[bonesmccoy]

If the lander makes it through to the surface and lands with the base down, there is the possibility that they will get signals in the first hour after landing.

If we do not hear JPL PAO announcing success in the first hour, I'll guess that it may take a day to hear from the spacecraft because:
1. The spacecraft will have to turn itself over/around
2. Mars needs to rotate enough for Earth rise to occur (12-13 hours)
3. The NASA Deep Space Network needs to be in good view of Mars (anyone know the vicinity of the tracking antennae)?

[Howlin]

Now, hold on; I am sure I heard them talking today about "six minutes of hell" that they are expecting today when they can verify that it has landed.

I did hear that the first transmissions would be tomorrow though.