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	Scientists are particularly interested in Saturn's moon Titan because it's one of the few known moons with its own dense atmosphere. Titan's atmosphere is also thought to be very similar to what Earth's atmosphere was a long time ago. By learning about Titan, we'll learn about our own planet.

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2002-07-09 | MISSIONS
CONTOUR Misson: Earth Orbit to Hibernation

Now that NASA's CONTOUR mission has launched successfully, its next step is to spend several weeks simply adjusting its orbit around Earth. By August 15, CONTOUR will be in position for its big leap: firing its main engine to escape Earth orbit and begin circling the Sun. CONTOUR's path will eventually bring it back by Earth several times, and into contact with up to three comets. Once it enters solar orbit, engineers will spend months testing the spacecraft and, on October 31, put the spacecraft to sleep to await its first swing by Earth in 2003. CONTOUR will help astrobiologists determine if comets provided Earth with the water in its oceans and the building blocks of life.

More on this story Full text of original item from NASA/JHUAPL, Jul 09, 2002

Related news stories

Aug 22, 2002 | MISSIONS
CONTOUR Still Silent
(NASA/JHUAPL) - The mission team continues checking for a signal from the spacecraft.

Aug 19, 2002 | MISSIONS
CONTOUR Team Listens for a Signal
(NASA/JHUAPL) - A part may have separated from the spacecraft and may be drifting alongside.

Aug 16, 2002 | MISSIONS
Search for CONTOUR Continues
(NASA/JHUAPL) - Mission operators continue to listen for a signal from the comet-chasing spacecraft.

Jul 03, 2002 | MISSIONS
The Comet Chase is On
(NASA/JHUAPL) - NASA's CONTOUR space probe lifted off this morning, heading for encounters with comets.

Jul 02, 2002 | MISSIONS
CONTOUR Prepares to Launch
(NASA/JHUAPL) - The mission, which will fly past as many as three comets, is scheduled to launch before dawn Wednesday.

Apr 30, 2002 | MISSIONS
CONTOUR Spacecraft Arrives at Kennedy Space Center for Launch Preparations
(NASA) - The mission will examine the nuclei of comets up close.

Jan 03, 2002 | SCIENCE, MISSIONS, TECHNOLOGIES
Kevlar vs. Comets: Bullet-Proof Craft to Get Closest Comet Views Ever
(Space.com) - NASA's CONTOUR spacecraft will be pelted by high-velocity particles as it swoops in for close-up views of comets.

Feb 29, 2000 | MISSIONS
Construction of comet spacecraft to begin
(CNN) - The Contour space probe will examine two to three comets up close.

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