Favourable Observing Conditions for Optical Imaging
The current period, with no eclipses and with excellent illumination conditions during the pericentre passes, is favourable to the optical imaging instruments HRSC and OMEGA.
The go/no go decision for MARSIS deployment is expected in January 2005. If the decision to deploy is made, the earliest date for deployment is 17 March 2005.
Science Planning Status
The PST planning for operations at the beginning of the second eclipse season is now completed. Planning for the Medium-Term Plans (MTP) of February and March 2005 is being finalised. The next occultation season will start on 8 December, which will give further opportunities for radio science measurements (MaRS).
The current combination of low data rate and loading of the data downlink windows makes it more difficult to find a trade-off between science and communications periods.
Science Data Archiving
The 1st Data Delivery Review started on 25 November and will be completed end of January. The available documentation and data sets have been distributed.
Science Highlights
Since the October status report the following images taken with the HRSC instrument were released: