The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) spacecraft is entering the final phase of construction in advance of delivery, says builder Lockheed Martin.
"It's pretty much built up now," says Jeff Coyne, the programme's assembly, test and launch operations manager, adding that the project requiring only blanketing, external panels and reattachment of the gull wing-shaped solar arrays.
MAVEN will fly an elliptical orbit around Mars, making 'deep dips' into the planet's atmosphere and analysing it in an attempt to understand how and why the planet has largely lost its protective atmosphere.
Unique to MAVEN is the articulated payload appendage, which swivels a large parabolic antenna a few degrees, adding some complexity to the project.
MAVEN will also serve to relay signals from on-planet spacecraft, including the Curiosity rover.
The spacecraft has enough hydrazine thruster fuel to complete its two-year mission, and another of similar duration after that.
The spacecraft is scheduled for launch on 18 November atop a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle.
Source: Flight International