Scientists back in touch with failed Russian Mars probe

MOSCOW — The European Space Agency has received the first signal from an unmanned Russian spacecraft bound for a moon of Mars since it got stuck in Earth’s orbit two weeks ago, officials said Wednesday, raising hope the mission might be saved.

Russia’s space agency said an ESA tracking facility in Australia got the signal from the Phobos-Ground probe early Wednesday in the western city of Perth.

ESA’s teams of flight dynamics technicians, who calculate the orbits, and the operational center staff, who actually send up the signal, had been helping to try to communicate with the Russian probe for the past 10 days, said Bernhard von Weyhe a spokesman for ESA, based at its operational headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany.

Roscosmos said Russian and European space experts will coordinate further attempts to contact the probe. Weyhe said the next try would occur later Wednesday when the spacecraft was expected to pass over the satellite dishes in Australia.

Weyhe said that technicians in Perth used a little side antenna rigged with a cone to send up a wide, but weak, signal — only 3 watts — to the probe. The strength resembled a signal that would be used to communicate with the craft once it reaches deep space, which is what it was programmed for.

“We did it as if the probe was on Mars, not only (125 to 210 miles) away from Earth,” Weyhe said.

The $170 million craft became stranded in orbit after its thrusters failed to fire following the Nov. 9 launch to send it on its path to one of Mars’ two moons, Phobos. The initial contact raised hopes of preventing the probe from crashing back to Earth.

Weyhe said the contact could be the first step in restablizing the mission, but underlined that the European Space Agency is only offering support to the Russians, who would have to decide the mission’s future.

“It’s up to the Russians to say what they will do,” Weyhe said.

Roscosmos’ deputy chief, Vitaly Davydov, said Tuesday that space experts will keep trying until the end of the month to fix the probe and steer it to its designated flight path. If they fail, the craft could plummet to Earth some time between late December and late February, he warned, adding that the site of the crash cannot be established more than a day in advance.

The spacecraft weighs 14.6 tons with a highly toxic rocket fuel accounting for most of its weight. There have been concerns the fuel could freeze and spill on impact, although most experts believe it will likely stay liquid and burn up on re-entry.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Vernon Streeter looks over the fence at the Skykomish Substation operated by Puget Sound Energy on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Skykomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Doesn’t make any sense’: Skykomish residents decry increased outages

Community members are frustrated about power outages and a lack of communication from Puget Sound Energy.

Glacier Peak, elevation 10,541 feet, in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest in Snohomish County, Washington. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald) 2019
2 years later, Glacier Peak seismometers delayed again

The U.S. Forest Service planned to install them in 2023. Now, officials are eyeing 2026.

Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson speaks at the Snohomish & Island County Labor Council champions dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Ferguson, WA Democrats prepare for new era of showdowns with Trump

Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson and Attorney General-elect Nick Brown are readying their legal teams.

Benson Boone (Photo provided by AEG Presents)
Monroe’s Benson Boone snags Grammy nomination for Best New Artist

The Monroe High grad this year has opened for Taylor Swift and won an MTV Video Music Award.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood caregiver accused of $674K check fraud

Prosecutors allege Sheila Saluquen defrauded the elderly owner of a car dealership for over a year.

Deborah Rumbaugh
‘Very hostile work environment’: Stanwood-Camano school supe resigns

Superintendent Deborah Rumbaugh said Tuesday she’ll be gone at the end of the school year.

The I-5, Highway 529 and the BNSF railroad bridges cross over Union Slough as the main roadways for north and southbound traffic between Everett and Marysville. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
After a monthslong lane closure, Highway 529 bridge to reopen Monday

A five-month closure of the northbound bridge between Everett and Marysville has frustrated drivers. It’ll soon be over.

Melinda Grenier serves patrons at her coffee truck called Hay Girl Coffee during the third annual Arlington Pride event in Arlington, Washington on Sunday, June 2, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
After long waits for permits, Snohomish County vendors may find relief

Food truck owners can now, with conditions, get some temporary permit fees waived. But those conditions are difficult to meet.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Lake Stevens in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
1 dead after crash into pole in Lake Stevens

A man crashed at the intersection of 91st Avenue NE and Highway 204 just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, officials said.

Snohomish County Superior Courthouse in Everett, Washington on February 8, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
WA court system outage means firearm sales on hold

Buyers must wait until the Washington State Patrol can access databases for background checks.

Snohomish County Council listens to George Skiles talk about his findings in an audit of the Snohomish County Executive Office on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Audit questions hiring practices in Snohomish County exec’s office

The report was presented to the County Council on Wednesday. It includes several recommendations.

David Hope, a Everett AquaSox ticket holder since 1994, talks about the stadium proposal presented to the public during a community information session on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett residents voice support, concerns over AquaSox stadium

On Tuesday, the city presented potential plans for a new or renovated stadium and fielded questions.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.