Cassini Significant Events 09/29/10 - 10/05/10
The most recent spacecraft telemetry was acquired on Oct. 5 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, Sept. 29 (DOY 272)
This week the Magnetospheric and Plasma Science (MAPS) instruments
continued to collect data at their nominal survey rates, and performed a
long survey using a spacecraft attitude that is optimal for solar wind
and aurora measurements. Imaging Science (ISS) performed four hour
observations of each of the moons Kiviuq and Siarnaq, and a five hour
observation of the moon Hyrrokin. The Composite Infrared Spectrometer
(CIRS) performed a 25 hour observation of Saturn to measure oxygen
compounds in the stratosphere.
Thursday, Sept. 30 (DOY 273)
The minimum Sun-Earth-Probe (SEP) angle of 2.12 degrees at the
midpoint of the solar conjunction period took place today. Attitude
control was switched from reaction wheels to thrusters to facilitate a
possible redistribution of lubrication in the wheel bearings during this
time.
Friday, Oct. 1 (DOY 274)
The Attitude and Articulation Control Subsystem (AACS) A8.8.0 flight
software (FSW) final Integrated Test Laboratory (ITL) end-to-end test was
successfully completed today in preparation for the upcoming A8.8.0 FSW
Uplink Readiness Review scheduled on Oct. 7, 2010.
Sunday, Oct. 3 (DOY 276)
The Solar Conjunction period ended today as the spacecraft reached an
SEP angle of 3 degrees. Attitude control was returned to reaction wheel
control, ending the 3-day period with the wheels turned off.
Five instrument expanded block (IEB) files were radiated to the
spacecraft today over DSS-15 in support of the S64 sequence. The S64
background sequence will be uplinked on Wednesday, Oct. 6, and go active
on Monday, Oct. 10.
Monday, Oct. 4 (DOY 277)
A week-long series of presentations and poster sessions at the 42nd
annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Division of
Planetary Sciences (DPS) begins today. A presentation titled
"Cassini-Huygens in the Saturn System: Recent Science Highlights and
the Solstice Mission" by the Cassini Project Scientist and
additional talks by other Cassini Team members were given today.
A press briefing called "A Perrier Ocean and Other Saturnian
Curiosities from Cassini-Huygens" was held today at the DPS meeting
at the Pasadena Convention Center. The topics covered included a proposed
model of a "Perrier" ocean feeding the jets of Enceladus, a
puzzling, narrow "crack" in one of Saturn's rings that is
associated with undulations that look like an ocean swell, and a
look-ahead to the new Cassini Solstice Mission.
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