Comments

The classic 'golf shot' statement for any space flight is overused and overplayed. Spacecraft are launched in the general direction they're headed (admittedly within a tight tolerance) and then use multiple opportunities to adjust their flight path. Not all the opportunities are used, but it's much different than the 'golf shot' As to having spacecraft over the necessary area, the arrival time of Phoenix has been known down to a few seconds resolution for months. Other satellites had that time to sync their orbits to be in the proper location to contact or photograph the arrival.