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Phobos mission rocket releases spent propellant stage

by

Walter B. Myers/Novapix

Reference

e-exm01-00024

Date

2011-03-09

Once the Phobos mission rocket acquires enough velocity to place it into a Mars-intercepting orbit it releases the empty propellant stage. This reduces the amount of mass that must be braked seven months down the line in order to enter a stable Mars orbit.