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Technology
Dawn Dictionary
Ion Propulsion

Podcast from 2007 Dawn
Launch Educator Conference
+ Lecture on Framing Camera

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Last updated: 03/16/09

 

Science Payload:

 


Framing Camera
   
Gamma Ray
and Neutron Spectrometer (GRaND)
 


Gravity Science
 

Technicians test Framing Camera 1
Credit: MPS
  Dawn mapping spectrometer
Credit: INAF
  GRaND Instrument
Credit: LANL
  Radio receiver on Dawn spacecraft
Credit: NASA/JPL
 

 


Scientific imaging system of the
Dawn Mission to the two complementary
protoplanets, 1 Ceres and 4 Vesta.
MPS
+ Framing Camera    Gallery
+ Lecture on    Framing
   Camera  podcast icon

 

Accomplishes the Dawn mission's
scientific and measurement objectives of producing spectral images
INAF
+ VIR Gallery

 

Measures elemental abundances on the surface of Vesta and Ceres
LANL
+ NEW!! GRaND
   Interactive
 
+ GRaND Gallery

 

Allows accurate measurements of the spacecraft's
orbit from which scientists can determine the gravity fields of Vesta and Ceres
Orbital

 

Data Return:
  • Images of Vesta and Ceres in three colors and black and white
  • Full surface with mapping spectrometer in three bands, 0.35 to 0.9 micron, 0.8 to 2.5 micron and 2.4 to
    5.0 micron
  • Neutron and gamma ray spectra to produce maps of the surface elemental composition of each asteroid, including the abundance of major rock-forming elements (O, Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti, and Fe), trace elements (Gd and Sm), long-lived radioactive elements (K, Th, and U), and light elements such as H, C, and N, which are the major constituents of ices.
  • Radio tracking to determine mass, gravity field, principal axes, rotational axis and moments of inertia.
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