What will become of the two cubesats deployed as part of the Insight mission?











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So as part of the Insight mission, two Cubesats were also launched to relay data during landing (so data can be obtained if something goes wrong)



Cubesats



What becomes of these satellites once their primary mission is done?










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    up vote
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    So as part of the Insight mission, two Cubesats were also launched to relay data during landing (so data can be obtained if something goes wrong)



    Cubesats



    What becomes of these satellites once their primary mission is done?










    share|improve this question
























      up vote
      11
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      11
      down vote

      favorite











      So as part of the Insight mission, two Cubesats were also launched to relay data during landing (so data can be obtained if something goes wrong)



      Cubesats



      What becomes of these satellites once their primary mission is done?










      share|improve this question













      So as part of the Insight mission, two Cubesats were also launched to relay data during landing (so data can be obtained if something goes wrong)



      Cubesats



      What becomes of these satellites once their primary mission is done?







      mars artificial-satellite insight






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      asked Nov 26 at 20:01









      Machavity

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      2,2741736






















          3 Answers
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          accepted










          MarCO's primary mission isn't actually to transmit data from InSight during its entry period. That's a non-essentially function that can be done by other spacecraft, if needed. Instead, the main part of the MarCO mission is determining the functionality of cubesats during deep space missions. We've never before sent such small spacecraft this far from Earth, and the satellites are really mostly a testbed for future cubesat missions.



          In terms of their orbital trajectory - well, Emily Lakdawalla wrote about this back in March:




          With no ability to enter orbit at Mars, the MarCO spacecraft will shoot on past, remaining in solar orbit. I assume their Earth controllers will remain in contact for as long as possible.




          As I understand it, "as long as possible" is hopefully in the area of a few weeks.






          share|improve this answer




























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            Not an answer, but comments can't have pictures.



            After the primary mission of supporting the InSight landing, one of the MarCO sats did snap a nice picture of Mars while departing:



            enter image description here






            share|improve this answer




























              up vote
              8
              down vote













              Both MarCO cubesats are flying by Mars -- not in orbit. Furthermore, during their radio coverage of InSight's entry/descent/landing, their solar arrays are pointed away from the sun, towards Mars. They are on battery power, and will eventually stop transmitting when the batteries die. Then they will continue passively around the sun.



              MarCO paths






              share|improve this answer

















              • 1




                Why don't the MarCO sats re-orient the arrays towards the sun after EDL? Do they lack the attitude gas to do that?
                – Wayne Conrad
                Nov 26 at 21:25








              • 1




                @WayneConrad "Each MarCO's attitude-control system combines a star tracker, Sun sensors, gyroscopes and three-axis reaction wheels for monitoring and adjusting orientation. Accelerating a reaction wheel rotates the spacecraft in the opposite direction from the direction the wheel is spinning." No mention of any attitude gas at all. But I don't know why they couldn't reorient with just reaction wheels.
                – Ross Presser
                Nov 26 at 22:16






              • 3




                There are thrusters, fed by a single tank. They were used for course corrections, and to de-saturate the reaction wheels. MarCO A (nicknamed WALL-E) had a leak and is believed to be out of gas. MarCO B might be able to re-orient to the sun, but being aligned to send data to Earth is a higher priority.
                – Dr Sheldon
                Nov 26 at 23:03






              • 5




                Clearly, orienting for data transmission is important right now. That doesn't explain why they wouldn't reorient later. Many interplanetary craft aim solar and antenna by reorienting the craft repeatedly, after all.
                – Saiboogu
                Nov 26 at 23:09






              • 1




                According to space.com/42541-mars-insight-lander-success.html, "It's possible that MarCO-A and MarCO-B could observe an asteroid or other celestial body if their paths bring them close enough, and if funding for an extended mission is granted, John Baker, NASA's program office manager for the MarCO mission, told Space.com." This contradicts the assertion that they are going to run out of power in a few weeks and die.
                – Wayne Conrad
                Nov 27 at 0:58











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              3 Answers
              3






              active

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              3 Answers
              3






              active

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              active

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              active

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              up vote
              15
              down vote



              accepted










              MarCO's primary mission isn't actually to transmit data from InSight during its entry period. That's a non-essentially function that can be done by other spacecraft, if needed. Instead, the main part of the MarCO mission is determining the functionality of cubesats during deep space missions. We've never before sent such small spacecraft this far from Earth, and the satellites are really mostly a testbed for future cubesat missions.



              In terms of their orbital trajectory - well, Emily Lakdawalla wrote about this back in March:




              With no ability to enter orbit at Mars, the MarCO spacecraft will shoot on past, remaining in solar orbit. I assume their Earth controllers will remain in contact for as long as possible.




              As I understand it, "as long as possible" is hopefully in the area of a few weeks.






              share|improve this answer

























                up vote
                15
                down vote



                accepted










                MarCO's primary mission isn't actually to transmit data from InSight during its entry period. That's a non-essentially function that can be done by other spacecraft, if needed. Instead, the main part of the MarCO mission is determining the functionality of cubesats during deep space missions. We've never before sent such small spacecraft this far from Earth, and the satellites are really mostly a testbed for future cubesat missions.



                In terms of their orbital trajectory - well, Emily Lakdawalla wrote about this back in March:




                With no ability to enter orbit at Mars, the MarCO spacecraft will shoot on past, remaining in solar orbit. I assume their Earth controllers will remain in contact for as long as possible.




                As I understand it, "as long as possible" is hopefully in the area of a few weeks.






                share|improve this answer























                  up vote
                  15
                  down vote



                  accepted







                  up vote
                  15
                  down vote



                  accepted






                  MarCO's primary mission isn't actually to transmit data from InSight during its entry period. That's a non-essentially function that can be done by other spacecraft, if needed. Instead, the main part of the MarCO mission is determining the functionality of cubesats during deep space missions. We've never before sent such small spacecraft this far from Earth, and the satellites are really mostly a testbed for future cubesat missions.



                  In terms of their orbital trajectory - well, Emily Lakdawalla wrote about this back in March:




                  With no ability to enter orbit at Mars, the MarCO spacecraft will shoot on past, remaining in solar orbit. I assume their Earth controllers will remain in contact for as long as possible.




                  As I understand it, "as long as possible" is hopefully in the area of a few weeks.






                  share|improve this answer












                  MarCO's primary mission isn't actually to transmit data from InSight during its entry period. That's a non-essentially function that can be done by other spacecraft, if needed. Instead, the main part of the MarCO mission is determining the functionality of cubesats during deep space missions. We've never before sent such small spacecraft this far from Earth, and the satellites are really mostly a testbed for future cubesat missions.



                  In terms of their orbital trajectory - well, Emily Lakdawalla wrote about this back in March:




                  With no ability to enter orbit at Mars, the MarCO spacecraft will shoot on past, remaining in solar orbit. I assume their Earth controllers will remain in contact for as long as possible.




                  As I understand it, "as long as possible" is hopefully in the area of a few weeks.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Nov 26 at 20:13









                  HDE 226868

                  2,47911137




                  2,47911137






















                      up vote
                      11
                      down vote













                      Not an answer, but comments can't have pictures.



                      After the primary mission of supporting the InSight landing, one of the MarCO sats did snap a nice picture of Mars while departing:



                      enter image description here






                      share|improve this answer

























                        up vote
                        11
                        down vote













                        Not an answer, but comments can't have pictures.



                        After the primary mission of supporting the InSight landing, one of the MarCO sats did snap a nice picture of Mars while departing:



                        enter image description here






                        share|improve this answer























                          up vote
                          11
                          down vote










                          up vote
                          11
                          down vote









                          Not an answer, but comments can't have pictures.



                          After the primary mission of supporting the InSight landing, one of the MarCO sats did snap a nice picture of Mars while departing:



                          enter image description here






                          share|improve this answer












                          Not an answer, but comments can't have pictures.



                          After the primary mission of supporting the InSight landing, one of the MarCO sats did snap a nice picture of Mars while departing:



                          enter image description here







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered Nov 26 at 22:43









                          Russell Borogove

                          79k2261345




                          79k2261345






















                              up vote
                              8
                              down vote













                              Both MarCO cubesats are flying by Mars -- not in orbit. Furthermore, during their radio coverage of InSight's entry/descent/landing, their solar arrays are pointed away from the sun, towards Mars. They are on battery power, and will eventually stop transmitting when the batteries die. Then they will continue passively around the sun.



                              MarCO paths






                              share|improve this answer

















                              • 1




                                Why don't the MarCO sats re-orient the arrays towards the sun after EDL? Do they lack the attitude gas to do that?
                                – Wayne Conrad
                                Nov 26 at 21:25








                              • 1




                                @WayneConrad "Each MarCO's attitude-control system combines a star tracker, Sun sensors, gyroscopes and three-axis reaction wheels for monitoring and adjusting orientation. Accelerating a reaction wheel rotates the spacecraft in the opposite direction from the direction the wheel is spinning." No mention of any attitude gas at all. But I don't know why they couldn't reorient with just reaction wheels.
                                – Ross Presser
                                Nov 26 at 22:16






                              • 3




                                There are thrusters, fed by a single tank. They were used for course corrections, and to de-saturate the reaction wheels. MarCO A (nicknamed WALL-E) had a leak and is believed to be out of gas. MarCO B might be able to re-orient to the sun, but being aligned to send data to Earth is a higher priority.
                                – Dr Sheldon
                                Nov 26 at 23:03






                              • 5




                                Clearly, orienting for data transmission is important right now. That doesn't explain why they wouldn't reorient later. Many interplanetary craft aim solar and antenna by reorienting the craft repeatedly, after all.
                                – Saiboogu
                                Nov 26 at 23:09






                              • 1




                                According to space.com/42541-mars-insight-lander-success.html, "It's possible that MarCO-A and MarCO-B could observe an asteroid or other celestial body if their paths bring them close enough, and if funding for an extended mission is granted, John Baker, NASA's program office manager for the MarCO mission, told Space.com." This contradicts the assertion that they are going to run out of power in a few weeks and die.
                                – Wayne Conrad
                                Nov 27 at 0:58















                              up vote
                              8
                              down vote













                              Both MarCO cubesats are flying by Mars -- not in orbit. Furthermore, during their radio coverage of InSight's entry/descent/landing, their solar arrays are pointed away from the sun, towards Mars. They are on battery power, and will eventually stop transmitting when the batteries die. Then they will continue passively around the sun.



                              MarCO paths






                              share|improve this answer

















                              • 1




                                Why don't the MarCO sats re-orient the arrays towards the sun after EDL? Do they lack the attitude gas to do that?
                                – Wayne Conrad
                                Nov 26 at 21:25








                              • 1




                                @WayneConrad "Each MarCO's attitude-control system combines a star tracker, Sun sensors, gyroscopes and three-axis reaction wheels for monitoring and adjusting orientation. Accelerating a reaction wheel rotates the spacecraft in the opposite direction from the direction the wheel is spinning." No mention of any attitude gas at all. But I don't know why they couldn't reorient with just reaction wheels.
                                – Ross Presser
                                Nov 26 at 22:16






                              • 3




                                There are thrusters, fed by a single tank. They were used for course corrections, and to de-saturate the reaction wheels. MarCO A (nicknamed WALL-E) had a leak and is believed to be out of gas. MarCO B might be able to re-orient to the sun, but being aligned to send data to Earth is a higher priority.
                                – Dr Sheldon
                                Nov 26 at 23:03






                              • 5




                                Clearly, orienting for data transmission is important right now. That doesn't explain why they wouldn't reorient later. Many interplanetary craft aim solar and antenna by reorienting the craft repeatedly, after all.
                                – Saiboogu
                                Nov 26 at 23:09






                              • 1




                                According to space.com/42541-mars-insight-lander-success.html, "It's possible that MarCO-A and MarCO-B could observe an asteroid or other celestial body if their paths bring them close enough, and if funding for an extended mission is granted, John Baker, NASA's program office manager for the MarCO mission, told Space.com." This contradicts the assertion that they are going to run out of power in a few weeks and die.
                                – Wayne Conrad
                                Nov 27 at 0:58













                              up vote
                              8
                              down vote










                              up vote
                              8
                              down vote









                              Both MarCO cubesats are flying by Mars -- not in orbit. Furthermore, during their radio coverage of InSight's entry/descent/landing, their solar arrays are pointed away from the sun, towards Mars. They are on battery power, and will eventually stop transmitting when the batteries die. Then they will continue passively around the sun.



                              MarCO paths






                              share|improve this answer












                              Both MarCO cubesats are flying by Mars -- not in orbit. Furthermore, during their radio coverage of InSight's entry/descent/landing, their solar arrays are pointed away from the sun, towards Mars. They are on battery power, and will eventually stop transmitting when the batteries die. Then they will continue passively around the sun.



                              MarCO paths







                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered Nov 26 at 20:30









                              Dr Sheldon

                              4,59411647




                              4,59411647








                              • 1




                                Why don't the MarCO sats re-orient the arrays towards the sun after EDL? Do they lack the attitude gas to do that?
                                – Wayne Conrad
                                Nov 26 at 21:25








                              • 1




                                @WayneConrad "Each MarCO's attitude-control system combines a star tracker, Sun sensors, gyroscopes and three-axis reaction wheels for monitoring and adjusting orientation. Accelerating a reaction wheel rotates the spacecraft in the opposite direction from the direction the wheel is spinning." No mention of any attitude gas at all. But I don't know why they couldn't reorient with just reaction wheels.
                                – Ross Presser
                                Nov 26 at 22:16






                              • 3




                                There are thrusters, fed by a single tank. They were used for course corrections, and to de-saturate the reaction wheels. MarCO A (nicknamed WALL-E) had a leak and is believed to be out of gas. MarCO B might be able to re-orient to the sun, but being aligned to send data to Earth is a higher priority.
                                – Dr Sheldon
                                Nov 26 at 23:03






                              • 5




                                Clearly, orienting for data transmission is important right now. That doesn't explain why they wouldn't reorient later. Many interplanetary craft aim solar and antenna by reorienting the craft repeatedly, after all.
                                – Saiboogu
                                Nov 26 at 23:09






                              • 1




                                According to space.com/42541-mars-insight-lander-success.html, "It's possible that MarCO-A and MarCO-B could observe an asteroid or other celestial body if their paths bring them close enough, and if funding for an extended mission is granted, John Baker, NASA's program office manager for the MarCO mission, told Space.com." This contradicts the assertion that they are going to run out of power in a few weeks and die.
                                – Wayne Conrad
                                Nov 27 at 0:58














                              • 1




                                Why don't the MarCO sats re-orient the arrays towards the sun after EDL? Do they lack the attitude gas to do that?
                                – Wayne Conrad
                                Nov 26 at 21:25








                              • 1




                                @WayneConrad "Each MarCO's attitude-control system combines a star tracker, Sun sensors, gyroscopes and three-axis reaction wheels for monitoring and adjusting orientation. Accelerating a reaction wheel rotates the spacecraft in the opposite direction from the direction the wheel is spinning." No mention of any attitude gas at all. But I don't know why they couldn't reorient with just reaction wheels.
                                – Ross Presser
                                Nov 26 at 22:16






                              • 3




                                There are thrusters, fed by a single tank. They were used for course corrections, and to de-saturate the reaction wheels. MarCO A (nicknamed WALL-E) had a leak and is believed to be out of gas. MarCO B might be able to re-orient to the sun, but being aligned to send data to Earth is a higher priority.
                                – Dr Sheldon
                                Nov 26 at 23:03






                              • 5




                                Clearly, orienting for data transmission is important right now. That doesn't explain why they wouldn't reorient later. Many interplanetary craft aim solar and antenna by reorienting the craft repeatedly, after all.
                                – Saiboogu
                                Nov 26 at 23:09






                              • 1




                                According to space.com/42541-mars-insight-lander-success.html, "It's possible that MarCO-A and MarCO-B could observe an asteroid or other celestial body if their paths bring them close enough, and if funding for an extended mission is granted, John Baker, NASA's program office manager for the MarCO mission, told Space.com." This contradicts the assertion that they are going to run out of power in a few weeks and die.
                                – Wayne Conrad
                                Nov 27 at 0:58








                              1




                              1




                              Why don't the MarCO sats re-orient the arrays towards the sun after EDL? Do they lack the attitude gas to do that?
                              – Wayne Conrad
                              Nov 26 at 21:25






                              Why don't the MarCO sats re-orient the arrays towards the sun after EDL? Do they lack the attitude gas to do that?
                              – Wayne Conrad
                              Nov 26 at 21:25






                              1




                              1




                              @WayneConrad "Each MarCO's attitude-control system combines a star tracker, Sun sensors, gyroscopes and three-axis reaction wheels for monitoring and adjusting orientation. Accelerating a reaction wheel rotates the spacecraft in the opposite direction from the direction the wheel is spinning." No mention of any attitude gas at all. But I don't know why they couldn't reorient with just reaction wheels.
                              – Ross Presser
                              Nov 26 at 22:16




                              @WayneConrad "Each MarCO's attitude-control system combines a star tracker, Sun sensors, gyroscopes and three-axis reaction wheels for monitoring and adjusting orientation. Accelerating a reaction wheel rotates the spacecraft in the opposite direction from the direction the wheel is spinning." No mention of any attitude gas at all. But I don't know why they couldn't reorient with just reaction wheels.
                              – Ross Presser
                              Nov 26 at 22:16




                              3




                              3




                              There are thrusters, fed by a single tank. They were used for course corrections, and to de-saturate the reaction wheels. MarCO A (nicknamed WALL-E) had a leak and is believed to be out of gas. MarCO B might be able to re-orient to the sun, but being aligned to send data to Earth is a higher priority.
                              – Dr Sheldon
                              Nov 26 at 23:03




                              There are thrusters, fed by a single tank. They were used for course corrections, and to de-saturate the reaction wheels. MarCO A (nicknamed WALL-E) had a leak and is believed to be out of gas. MarCO B might be able to re-orient to the sun, but being aligned to send data to Earth is a higher priority.
                              – Dr Sheldon
                              Nov 26 at 23:03




                              5




                              5




                              Clearly, orienting for data transmission is important right now. That doesn't explain why they wouldn't reorient later. Many interplanetary craft aim solar and antenna by reorienting the craft repeatedly, after all.
                              – Saiboogu
                              Nov 26 at 23:09




                              Clearly, orienting for data transmission is important right now. That doesn't explain why they wouldn't reorient later. Many interplanetary craft aim solar and antenna by reorienting the craft repeatedly, after all.
                              – Saiboogu
                              Nov 26 at 23:09




                              1




                              1




                              According to space.com/42541-mars-insight-lander-success.html, "It's possible that MarCO-A and MarCO-B could observe an asteroid or other celestial body if their paths bring them close enough, and if funding for an extended mission is granted, John Baker, NASA's program office manager for the MarCO mission, told Space.com." This contradicts the assertion that they are going to run out of power in a few weeks and die.
                              – Wayne Conrad
                              Nov 27 at 0:58




                              According to space.com/42541-mars-insight-lander-success.html, "It's possible that MarCO-A and MarCO-B could observe an asteroid or other celestial body if their paths bring them close enough, and if funding for an extended mission is granted, John Baker, NASA's program office manager for the MarCO mission, told Space.com." This contradicts the assertion that they are going to run out of power in a few weeks and die.
                              – Wayne Conrad
                              Nov 27 at 0:58


















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