There are three types of activities leading up to landing: cruise stage trajectory maneuvers (TCMs) are carried out to direct the spacecraft to Mars, an instrument turn-on and check-out is carried during cruise, and training is carried out during operational readiness tests (ORTs).
TRAINING
Operational readiness tests (ORTs) will generally be carried out during the second week of each month. These tests will train the operations and science teams in operating...
