44 - ARES vs ALITA: Two - Orbital mechanic is a harsh mistress
On January 23, 1989. Aelita-1 arrival at Mars, but do its low thrust ion engine, they needed 23.5 day to spiral into its Mars Orbit.
But January 28 , Ares 1&2 arrive at Mars and enter High elliptical Orbit and check their Mars Exploration Moduls Eagle and Falcon.
While crew of Aelita-1 start orbital survey of Mars with sensors and Telescopes, drop Ares 1&2 series of probes on Mars, who would do science research.
Then on February 2, 1989. the Mars Exploration Moduls Eagle and Falcon descent to surface of Mars, while Aelita-1 still enter its needed orbit.
For Soviets the Disappointment was clear: the Americans would land first.
in USA were nail biting waiting until MEMs enter Mars Atmosphere and descend to Surface and report back, that signal took 20 minute to arrive at Earth
Finally came message: the Eagle has landed follow by the Falcon has landed. in Mangala Valles (10°S 150°W in Tharsis region) only 16 km from each other.
Art work by Drell7
John Young became first Human on Mars: „
its small Step for me, but next step of Humanity in the exploration of the Univers“
Follow by George W. Bush the son of current President. „
Hey this place look just like New Mexico desert“
20 minute later The USA erupted in cheer joyful shout, In White House President Bush congratulate the Crew.
Next to him stand Robert Nixon, his gamble 20 years ago brought USA this Victory in the Space-race.
While George W. Bush stole the show with remark „
hey dad i’m standing on Mars, are you proud ?“, „
yes i’m very proud my son“ answer embarrassed President 20 minute later…
For next 30 days the Crews of Eagle and Falcon study the Mars surface, conducts experiments and collect samples.
On February 20, 1989 land the Soviets on Mars, on 37° north and 162 ° West, at the edge Utopia Planitia and north Elysium Planitian.
With Valery Ivanovich Tokarev becoming first Soviet on Mars „
just another Step“ was his disappoint reaction.
The crew Falcon discover water ice deposit under ground at their landing site.
On day 17 after landing, arrive a visitors on mars horizon, the two German Rover Max and Moritz,
After 2 years odyssey over surface, both collected a treasure of Geological Samples.
Like wise collect the Soviets also Sample containers from their Marshkod rovers.
On March 2, the Soviet MPK took off successfully and docked with Aelita-1, that prepared to leave Mars orbit
Follow two days later by Eagle and Falcon docking with Ares 1&2
March 7, 1989 Aelita-1 began Mars orbit departure next 17.5 days, it spiral out Mars orbit into interplanetary space.
while on March 9 leave Ares 1&2 Mars orbit to Earth the upper stage of Eagle and Falcon parked in stable orbit around Mars.
Sadly the US Triumph was over shadow by Tragedy,
On April 28, 1989 died Astronaut Raymond Tanner on Moon during Lunar EVA under Diana 14 mission.
During exploration of Lunar lava tubes at Lacus Mortis,
So far know stumble Tanner and fall deep, hit with helmet face plate into a bolder, the resulting hole in Helmet depressurised his suit fast, killing the 31 year old astronaut.
This dead let bizarre situation what to do with Body ? Bring it to Moonlab and there to Earth ? who to store the decomposing body on station ?
In end Mission control in consultation with Tanner family made decision: his body is bury on landing site, leading to sharp protest by religious groups who worship the Moon.
NASA investigate incident and gave recommendations for handling body of dead Astronauts in Space:
„
If a return of Body is not possible do safety or hygienic reason, the deceased has to „bury“ at place or hand over to Space in analog to burial at sea“