NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Artist's concept of Dawn. Image credit: 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.

Media contacts: DC Agle 818-393-9011
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.