Frontier 6 adjusts its orbit to skirt just barely the atmosphere of Duna – a somewhat dangerous maneuver, the craft may experience extreme heat, depending on the (unknown) density of Duna’s atmosphere.

Frontier 6 drops below 50k… and sensors indicate there is indeed an atmosphere.   The Atmospheric Fluid Spectro-Variometer reports fascinating new insights into the composition of Duna’s atmosphere! After the close pass, engines fire to avoid being dragged further into the atmosphere on future passes.  KSEA has begun to talk seriously about a mission to Duna, and Frontier 6 is providing some compelling new data!