Why was the Perseverance rover sent into a spin before being detached and sent into deep space?
In: Physics
It’s like throwing a spiral (American)football. By spinning it equalizes the pull in every direction which allows it to travel in a straight line more easily without being tugged off course by a heavier side.
NASA covers this on their [Mars 2020 page](https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/mission/timeline/launch/launch-sequence-details/)
Basically they use the spin to stabilize the craft during the third stage burn. The first two stages served to get the craft up and into orbit, then they got it pointed at the target, spun it up, and lit off the third stage engine
The fast rotation means that any irregularity in the third stage engine won’t push them off course because it will push a bit in each direction as it spins around for the net thrust direction being straight down the planned course.
They have some maneuvering thrusters on the pod that carries the rover but the closer to the target course they can get the third stage then the less fuel they have to burn later and the more fuel they have for final correction burns closer to Mars
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