[meteorite-list] Deployment of Second MARSIS Boom Delayed

From: Ron Baalke <baalke_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Mon May 9 14:13:38 2005
Message-ID: <200505091813.j49ID3S07257_at_zagami.jpl.nasa.gov>

http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Mars_Express/SEMQGXY5D8E_0.html

Deployment of second MARSIS boom delayed
European Space Agency
9 May 2005

The deployment of the second antenna boom of the Mars Express
Sub-Surface Sounding Radar Altimeter (MARSIS) science experiment has
been delayed pending investigation of an anomaly found during deployment
of the first antenna boom.
 
The anomaly was discovered on 7 May towards the end of the first
deployment operations. Deployment of the first boom started on Wednesday
4 May. The problem with the boom was confirmed by flight control
engineers working at ESA's European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in
Darmstadt, Germany, on 7 May, after which further activity was stopped
pending a full assessment of the situation.

The decision to delay deployment of Boom 2 pending clarification of the
situation and implications was made on 8 May.

Mission controllers were able to determine that 12 of the 13 boom
segments of Boom 1 were correctly locked into position. However, one of
the final segments, possibly No. 10, had deployed but was not positively
locked into position.

It was determined that deployment of the second boom should be delayed
in order to determine what implications the anomaly in the first boom
may have on the conditions for deploying the second.

This decision is in line with initial plans which had allowed for a
delay should any anomalous events occur during the first boom deployment.

Mission staff will now take the time necessary to investigate the boom
situation. Foreseen outcomes include confirming that all segments of
Boom 1 have been locked into place and determining how the deployment of
Boom 1 may affect that of Boom 2.

All efforts will be made to ensure the safety of the spacecraft overall
and to minimise any effects on the operations of ongoing science
activity on board Mars Express.

The MARSIS experiment is to map the Martian sub-surface structure to a
depth of a few kilometres. The instrument's 40-metre long antenna booms
will send low frequency radio waves towards the planet, which will be
reflected from any surface they encounter.

MARSIS is one of seven science experiments carried on board Mars
Express, one of the most successful missions ever flown to the Red
Planet. Mars Express was launched on 2 June 2003 and entered Mars orbit
in December 2003.
Received on Mon 09 May 2005 02:13:03 PM PDT


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