Infrared Images of Asteroid Received

A NASA spacecraft that made the closest fly-by ever of an asteroid has sent mission controllers infrared images of the asteroid.

The Deep Space 1 probe, which flew within an estimated 10 miles of the asteroid Braille on Wednesday night, began transmitting data from its infrared camera Friday, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena said.

Four black-and-white images were taken by the spacecraft’s camera--two about 70 minutes before its closest approach and two of poorer quality about 15 minutes after the encounter more than 117 million miles from Earth. It wasn’t immediately known what scientists have determined from the images.

The 8-foot craft was launched in October and designed primarily to test new forms of technology for future deep-space flights. The mission’s cost is $152 million.

Deep Space 1 will remain functional when its prime mission officially ends Sept. 18. It could fly by two comets in 2001 if an extended mission is funded.