I've recently renewed an observing campaign on #TIANWEN1. The orbit hasn't changed so an aerobrake test claimed for late 2022 has not occurred yet. In preparation for observing an aerobraking manoeuvre I thought it would be interesting to study past missions that did one. 🧵⬇️
First a bit a reference of why we believe #TIANWEN1 will conduct an aerobraking test. This all relates to the #TIANWEN3 Mars sample return mission.
https://spacenews.com/china-aims-to-bring-mars-samples-to-earth-2-years-before-nasa-esa-mission/#:~:text=Sun%20added%20that%20the%20Tianwen%2D1%20orbiter%20will%20conduct%20an%20aerobraking%20test%20in%20Mars%20orbit%20later%20this%20year%20as%20part%20of%20the%20sample%20return%20mission%20preparation






