NASA's Dawn spacecraft has begun the interplanetary cruise phase of its 8-year, 3-billion mile journey to asteroid Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres.
Artist concept of Dawn.
NASA/JPL
NASA's Dawn spacecraft has successfully completed the initial checkout phase of the mission and begun its interplanetary cruise phase, which is highlighted by nearly continuous thrusting of its ion propulsion system. Dawn is on a 8-year, 3-billion mile journey to asteroid Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres.
