Cassini Significant Events 03/24/10 - 03/30/10
The most recent spacecraft telemetry was acquired on March 30 from
the Deep Space Network tracking complex at Madrid, Spain. 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/mission/presentposition/.
Wednesday, March 24 (DOY 083)
A member of the Cassini Outreach staff was an invited speaker at the
8th annual All-Manitoba First Nation Science Fair Mar. 24th and 25th.
First Nations communities are found throughout Manitoba and are home to
the aboriginal people of the province. Over 400 students, their families
and teachers from 28 schools attended and received Cassini
handouts.
In preparation for the solid state recorder on Cassini to be
repartitioned for Extended Extended Mission operations, Visual and
Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) test files have been generated and
verified through Instrument Operations Multi-mission Image Processing
Laboratory, Mission Sequence Software and Spacecraft Operations Office
ground software tools.
Thursday, March 25 (DOY 084)
This week Radio Science performed Ka-TWTA maintenance and the
Magnetometer performed calibration rolls. The Cassini Plasma Spectrometer
obtained survey measurements, and the Magnetospheric and Plasma Science
Instrument teams took measurements for the magnetospheric boundaries,
solar wind, and auroral campaigns. Imaging Science (ISS), the Composite
Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) and Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS)
performed another observation in the Titan monitoring campaign, and all
the Optical Remote Sensing instruments participated in Titan cloud
monitoring campaign observations. UVIS conducted mosaic scans of Saturn's
magnetosphere and performed a stellar calibration. CIRS observed Saturn,
measuring oxygen compounds of H2O, and CO2 in the stratosphere as a
function of latitude. ISS performed observations in support of the
Satellite Orbit Campaign, observed the transit of Rhea across Janus,
Janus across Titan, and Rhea across Epimetheus, and turned to image the
still nearly edge-on, post-equinox E ring.
Friday, March 26 (DOY 085)
Orbit Trim Maneuver (OTM) #240 was performed today. This was the
apoapsis maneuver setting up for the Titan T67 and Dione D2 encounters on
April 5 and 7. The main engine burn began at 8:29 AM PDT. Telemetry
immediately after the maneuver showed a burn duration of 17.53 seconds,
giving a delta-V of 3.00 m/s. All subsystems reported nominal performance
after the maneuver.
Saturday, March 27 (DOY 086)
Sequence leads began uplinking the Instrument Expanded Block files
needed to support the S59 sequence. Eight files went up today. A second
set of files will go up on Monday, and the background sequence will
follow on April 1.
Monday, March 29 (DOY 088)
A news release entitled "1980s Video Icon Glows on Saturn
Moon" discusses the highest-resolution-yet temperature map and
images of Saturn's icy moon Mimas obtained by NASA's Cassini spacecraft.
The data reveal surprising patterns on the surface of the small moon,
including unexpected hot regions that resemble 'Pac-Man' eating a dot,
and striking bands of light and dark in crater walls. View the release at
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/newsreleases/newsrelease20100329/.
Port 3 Spacecraft Activity Sequence Files were due today as part of the
Science Operations Plan process for S61. The files will be merged and
released for review tomorrow.
A Go/No Go meeting was held today for a Live Inertial Vector Propagator
update to occur on April 5 for the Titan T67 encounter. It's a
"Go" so vectors will be modified for one ISS and three CIRS
observations.
The S60 Simulation Coordination meeting was held today. After collecting
inputs from the teams, it was determined that the only activity to be
tested will be the Radio Science DOY 169-170 Saturn occultation Live
Movable Block.
Tuesday, March 30 (DOY 089)
Port 2 Spacecraft Activity Sequence Files were due today as part of
the Science Operations Plan process for S62. The files will be merged and
released for review tomorrow.
The Cassini-Huygens Analysis and Results of the Mission (CHARM)
teleconference for March was held today. The topic: "Titan:
Ingredients for Life." A PDF of the presentation package may be
obtained at
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/video/products/MultimediaProductsCharm/.
An audio recording of this presentation was made and will be linked to
the same location within a few days.
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