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(6.2
OBC & APE) was loaded on September 19. The software
up-grade will capture all the test track updates and improve
the APE and CEU performance. This new upgrade will allow
the Comprehensive Performance Testing to continue as scheduled
for the rest of the month.
Following
the final optical alignments, the solar array installation,
deployment testing, stowing and blanketing will take place.
Orbital will also be very involved in preparing for the
upcoming Mission Operations rehearsal at LASP, since this
will be the final testing before SORCE leaves for the launch
site. As this rehearsal is being conducted from the LASP
Mission Operations Center using the engineering model satellite
hardware (called the flatsat, located at Orbital's facilities
in Sterling, VA), the spacecraft will undergo Mass Properties
testing to determine the craft's mass distribution. These
data are critical to proper operation of the spacecraft
attitude control system.
The
month of October will also include additional Mission Operations
tests as well as a Long Duration test. The purpose of the
Long Duration test is to allow the spacecraft to run uninterrupted
for 5 straight days, making contact with LASP two times
per day, just like it will be doing in orbit. This will
serve as the final verification that both the spacecraft
and the mission operators are ready for the move to the
launch site. Kennedy
Space Center Activity -
Launch preparations are well underway, with Kennedy Space
Center (KSC) preparing for SORCE'S arrival. LASP engineers
will participate in a Ground Operations Review Meeting at
KSC on September 24 and 25 to discuss SORCE requirements.
After testing at Orbital has concluded and the Pre-Ship
Review (PSR) conducted, the SORCE spacecraft and the Ground
Support Equipment (GSE) required to move, operate, and test
the spacecraft will be prepared for shipment to KSC. The
scheduled ship-date to KSC is October 25. SORCE will be
transported by chartered truck, with Orbital and LASP personnel
closely monitoring from a separate chase vehicle. The shipment
will arrive at KSC on Saturday, October 26, and will immediately
be unpacked. At that point, the post-ship checkout and Pegasus
integration process will commence. |
A
SORCE technician checks the bolts connecting the Instrument
Module platform to the Spacecraft Bus.
Upcoming
Meetings
SORCE scientists plan to present
papers or attend the following 2002 - 2003 meetings:
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COSPAR,
Oct. 14-19, Houston, TX
-
AMS,
Nov. 4-8, San Antonio, TX
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NIST
Satellite Instrument Calibration Workshop, Nov. 5-7,
Gaithersburg, MD
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EOS
Investigators Working Group Nov. 18-20, Ellicott City,
MD
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AGU
Fall Meeting, Dec. 6-10, San Francisco, CA
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AAS,
Jan. 5-9, Seattle, WA
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AMS,
Feb. 9-13, Long Beach, CA
-
AAAS,
Feb. 13-18, Denver, CO
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