Cassini Significant Events 10/14/09 - 10/20/09
The most recent spacecraft telemetry was acquired on Oct. 20 from the
Deep Space Network tracking complex at Canberra, Australia. The Cassini
spacecraft is in an excellent state of health and all subsystems are
operating normally. Information on the present position and speed of the
Cassini spacecraft may be found on the "Present Position" page
at:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/operations/present-position.cfm.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 (DOY 287):
The main engine cover was opened today completing the 51st in-flight
cycle of the cover. Cycle #52 will begin on Oct. 30.
Cassini scientists participated in a press briefing at NASA headquarters
today on constructing the first comprehensive sky map of our solar
system.
Observations from Cassini complemented data collected by NASA¹s
Interstellar Boundary Explorer. Images from the Ion and Neutral Camera on
Cassini¹s Magnetospheric Imaging Instrument suggest that the heliosphere,
the region of the sun¹s influence, may not have the comet-like shape
predicted by existing models. In a paper published Oct. 15 in Science
Express, scientists presented a new view of the heliosphere, which
suggests that it moves more like a slippery ball through smoke. The
"smoke" in this case is the interstellar medium, the matter
that fills the local region of our galaxy and is forced to flow around
the heliosphere. Here are the links to the full story, images, and
video:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/cassinifeatures/newsrelease20091015/
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/photos/imagedetails/index.cfm?imageId=3700
Thursday, Oct. 15 (DOY 288):
Orbit Trim Maneuver (OTM) #218 was performed today. This was the
cleanup maneuver from the Titan 62 encounter on Oct. 12. The main engine
burn began at 7:00 PM PDT. Telemetry immediately after the maneuver
showed a burn duration of 4.97 seconds, giving a delta-V of 0.845 m/s.
All subsystems reported nominal performance after the maneuver.
Today marked the 12th anniversary of the launch of the Cassini
Spacecraft.
The Instrument Operations Working Group met today to view presentations
relating to changes in operations processes for the proposed Extended
Extended Mission (XXM). Topics included the XXM Uplink Sequence
Implementation Process that combines and streamlines the Science
Operations Plan Process and the Science and Sequence Update Process, XXM
RBOT Response, and XXM Integration rules, contingency plans, and
pointing. These same presentations will be given next week at the Tuesday
plenary session of the Cassini Project Science Group meeting.
Friday, October 16 (DOY 289):
At periapsis on orbit #119, RADAR created a global map of Saturn¹s
equatorial region. During the week, Imaging Science (ISS) observed the
transits of Mimas across Rhea and of Tethys across Titan, and performed
lightning searches on Saturn. The Visual and Infrared Mapping
Spectrometer (VIMS) created regional and global mosaics of Saturn, and
observed the E and G rings. The Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS)
executed several slow extreme and far ultraviolet scans across Saturn¹s
visible hemisphere, and mapped volatiles in the immediate neighborhood of
Enceladus to test the connection of volatile changes to plume eruptions.
The Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) performed a Magnetosphere and
Plasma Science (MAPS) survey and led the pointing for the MAPS team Solar
Wind-Aurora Campaign observations. The Composite Infrared Spectrometer
(CIRS) measured oxygen compounds in the stratosphere of Saturn.
Sunday, Oct. 18 (DOY 291):
An AACS prime reaction wheel friction test took place on Oct. 18.
Wheels 1, 2, and 4 were spun up to +/-900 rpm and then allowed to coast
down to 0 rpm.
Performance was consistent with past friction test results.
Monday, Oct. 19 (DOY 292):
Cassini scientists, operations personnel, and flight team members
gathered this week for the 49th Project Science Group meeting. Instrument
Team meetings, working group meetings, and plenary sessions were held all
week.
Tuesday, Oct. 20 (DOY 293):
Today students from across the United States who entered the Cassini
Scientist for a Day essay contest called in and asked questions of
Cassini scientists during a live USTREAM TV webcast. Instrument
scientists and observation designers answered the students' questions.
Over 2,000 students in 68 classrooms watched the live event. The webcast
has been archived and is available at
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/2391081
Orbit Trim Maneuver (OTM) #219 was performed today. This was the apoapsis
maneuver setting up for the Enceladus 7 encounter on Nov. 2. The main
engine burn began at 6:29 PM PDT. Telemetry immediately after the
maneuver showed the duration was 24.42 seconds, giving a delta-V of 4.16
m/s. All subsystems reported nominal performance after the
maneuver.
------------------------
To unsubscribe from Cassini Spacecraft Updates or to subscribe with a
different email address, visit:
<
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/mailinglistsignup/ >
------------------------
This email address is not monitored. For comments and questions, please
contact Cassini Outreach at:
<
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/feedback/>
------------------------
Visit the JPL Cassini home page for more information about the Cassini
Project:
<http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/
>
------------------------
