[sac-forum] Mars Phoenix "First Images"

Recently, it seems there is some confusion about exactly when the first images could be received from Mars Phoenix after landing. Following are excerpts from the Phoenix Landing Events Media Schedule that should clarify those times and the content of those first images. 

The Phoenix Landing Events Media Schedule for first images reads:
/Mars Odyssey "bent-pipe" relay transmission from Phoenix, with engineering data and* possibly including first images*, 6:43 to 7:02 pm PT. Data could take up to about 30 additional minutes in pipeline before being accessible. If all goes well, live television feed from control room* may* show first images as they are received. *The first images to be taken after landing will be of solar arrays, to check deployment status*.
/That means that* *if Phoenix has landed safely, the first pictures of the spacecraft (in black and white -- no color) relayed by the Odyssey orbiter to Earth* COULD BE* posted on the Phoenix website* AS SOON AS* between 7:30 pm and 8 pm PT. Most likely, any photos would be posted closer to 8 pm PT. Photos of the spacecraft are necessary to check deployment of the solar arrays and other necessary spacecraft systems. If the Martian surface is showing in these images, it will be as background. 

The Phoenix Media schedule also states:
/If operations proceed relatively smoothly, the first eight to 10 days after landing will be a "characterization phase" of checking out and understanding the performance of the spacecraft's power and thermal systems, as well as the robotic arm and other instruments.
/Daily news briefings to be held at 11 am PT, from Monday, May 26 through Friday May 30, will serve as updates on mission status. During that time, photos will be posted on the Phoenix website as released.
If you have questions about the Phoenix Landing schedule, please check the Phoenix Toolkit at: 

 http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/phoenix/main.php

Information will be updated in real time as events occur.

Peter

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