When did the Dawn spacecraft launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station?
The Dawn mission launched on the 27th of September 2007. It departed from Space Launch Complex 17B using a Delta 7925-H rocket to escape Earth's gravity.
Questions about Dawn (spacecraft)
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What were the primary targets of the NASA Dawn orbiter mission?
Dawn targeted two large bodies in the asteroid belt named Ceres and Vesta. These protoplanets offered contrasting characteristics with one being wet and icy while the other remained dry and rocky.
How long did the Dawn spacecraft operate before ending its mission?
NASA announced the end of operations on the 1st of November 2018 when Dawn depleted its hydrazine fuel supply. The spacecraft had run out of propellant by the 31st of October 2018 while remaining in an uncontrolled but stable orbit around Ceres.
Which ion thruster technology enabled the Dawn mission to visit multiple celestial bodies?
The Dawn mission relied on heritage from Deep Space 1 which demonstrated long-duration use of xenon-propelled ion thrusters. This technology validated systems like the NSTAR electrostatic ion thruster for unique multi-orbit capabilities.
When did the Dawn spacecraft enter orbit around the dwarf planet Ceres?
The spacecraft entered Ceres orbit on the 6th of March 2015 four months before New Horizons arrived at Pluto. This made Dawn the first mission to study a dwarf planet at close range.