Cassini Significant Events 04/28/10 - 05/04/10
The most recent spacecraft telemetry was acquired on May 4th 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, April 28 (DOY 118)
Both Sun Sensor Assemblies (SSA) performed normally after the
Enceladus 9 flyby yesterday. After the performance of all four quadrants
was verified, a real time command file was uplinked to the spacecraft to
turn off the backup assembly SSA-B.
Thursday, April 29 (DOY 119)
A kickoff meeting was held today to begin the process of generating
and approving a Live Update for Iapetus observations on DOY 123. After
examining the files for the update, Science Planning recommended a NO GO
for the update. When team members for the Ultraviolet Imaging
Spectrograph (UVIS) and Imaging Science (ISS) concurred - the prime
instruments affected - the update was cancelled.
Orbit Trim Maneuver (OTM) #245 was performed today. This was the cleanup
maneuver following the Enceladus 9 encounter on April 27. The main engine
burn began at 5:59 AM PDT. Telemetry immediately after the maneuver
showed a burn duration of 33.25 seconds, giving a delta-V of 5.71 m/s.
All subsystems reported normal performance after the maneuver.
A feature story called "Cassini and Amateurs Chase Storm on
Saturn" describes the collaboration between Cassini team members and
amateur astronomers on tracking storms on Saturn. Images from amateur
astronomers have been linked with data from the Composite Infrared
Spectrometer (CIRS).
The data showed a large, turbulent storm, dredging up material from the
deep atmosphere and covering an area at least five times larger than the
biggest blizzard in this year's Washington, D.C.-area storm nicknamed
"Snowmageddon." For the full details link to:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/cassinifeatures/feature20100429/
Friday, April 30 (DOY 120)
A news note entitled "Cassini Returning Enceladus Gravity
Data" described the successful completion of the E9 Enceladus flyby
on April 27. The Radio Science Team performed a 26-hour gravity
observation, acquiring radiometric data that scientists will use to
understand the moon's interior composition and mass distribution in the
region around the south pole. For more details, see:
http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/cassinifeatures/feature20100430/
Monday, May 3 (DOY 123)
This week the Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer performed
equatorial global mosaic observations of Saturn to support the study of
Saturn atmospheric dynamics, and observed the E and G rings. ISS
performed a Wide Angle Camera observation of Saturn, and an observation
of Iapetus. RADAR observed Titan from a distance using the Radiometry
mode. The Cassini Plasma Spectrometer continued a survey of the Saturn
magnetosphere. CIRS measured oxygen compounds of Saturn as a function of
latitude. UVIS observed Enceladus in the vicinity of the plume, studying
changes in the volatile gases and searching for possible connections with
plume eruptions. The Magnetometer performed a 6-hour calibration
activity. Called a "cal roll," the activity put the spacecraft
in a series of slow rolls about one of its axes. The Cosmic Dust Analyzer
(CDA) pointed the spacecraft towards the known direction of interstellar
dust sources from outside our solar system.
On Friday, Port 2 Spacecraft Activity Sequence Files were delivered as
part of the S63 Science Operations Plan process, and today the Port 3
files for S62 were delivered.
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