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SORCE Mission
Status
LASP
Activity -
As thermal vacuum testing progresses at Orbital, the instrument
scientists and the LASP Mission Operations Center are busy
with their own testing and verification. Real-time data
from the thermal vacuum tests is being transmitted 24 hours
a day to LASP. The data received from Orbital is being broadcast
to three terminals in room 241 at LASP. Record files are
being switched every 2 hours and sent to the database for
processing, with the database running 1-3 hours behind the
real-time data. It is possible to access the real-time raw
record files at LASP as well.
Instrument
scientists are monitoring the instrument test results closely
and verifying the data. The thermal vacuum tests for each
instrument have been very valuable for uncovering potential
flaws with the data collected, software problems, or instrument
anomalies. SORCE scientists are working diligently to get
all calibration files together,
Countdown
to Launch - December 1
(as of August 27, 2002) |
with
the intention of having an Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document
(ATBD) review in September. The Mission Operations Center
is addressing all software and hardware issues.
The
last SORCE monthly review was held on Tuesday, July 30,
at Orbital Sciences. Rick Kohnert updated everyone on the
system status noting that the current margins for power,
mass, and memory are well within acceptable limits, 11%,
11.6%, and 19.5% respectively. He also reviewed the July
9-10 meeting at Kennedy Space Center, to plan the final
arrangements for SORCE's arrival and integration. The next
monthly review will be on Wednesday, August 28, at Orbital
Science Corporation.
SORCE
with solar arrays deployed
The
SORCE 24-page brochure is progressing and should be going
to the printer the last week in September. The last pieces
of art and text are coming together, and final proofing
will begin in early September. Additional promotional pieces
are in the works including a pre-launch video that will
go out to the news media before the launch and will be used
as a resource when needed following the launch. NASA television
producers will be coming to LASP in September to shoot a
few final clips for the animated video. Closer to launch,
there will also be video taped interviews with SORCE scientists
and NASA Program Directors. The
complete SORCE public relations package will also include
a Fact Sheet, Lithograph, an educational interactive CD-ROM,
poster, and an Education and Outreach package for professional
educators. NASA personnel |
