ESA Venus Express Status Report No. 87 – Mission Latest
19 Jul 2007 15:55
Report for Period 7 July to 14 July 2007
Routine observations with Venus Express took place during this reporting period and occurred as planned.
The table below shows a chronology of the main activities in the reporting period:
| MET (Day) | Date | DOY | VPER# | Main Activity |
| 607 | 08/07/07 | 189 | 443 | Routine Mission Operations |
| 608 | 09/07/07 | 190 | 444 | Routine Mission Operations |
| 609 | 10/07/07 | 191 | 445 | Routine Mission Operations. |
| 610 | 11/07/07 | 192 | 446 | Routine Mission Operations. |
| 611 | 12/07/07 | 193 | 447 | Routine Mission Operations. Before pass test DDOR with Cebreros, after pass test DDOR with New Norcia/Deep Space Network. |
| 612 | 13/07/07 | 194 | 448 | Routine Mission Operations |
| 613 | 14/07/07 | 195 | 449 | Routine Mission Operations. Before pass test DDOR with Cebreros, after pass test DDOR with New Norcia/Deep Space Network. |
At the end of the last Cebreros pass in the reporting period (DOY 195, 18:00z) Venus Express was orbiting Venus at 64.90 million km from the Earth. The one-way signal travel time was 216 seconds.
Payload Activities
ASPERA
The instrument was regularly operated as part of the routine plan.
MAG
The instrument was regularly operated as part of the routine plan. On DOY 192 the PI team requested a re-boot of the instrument to re-initialize internal parameters.
PFS
On DOY 191, 192 and 193 the PFS was operated to try to open the scanner during a wheel off-loading (WOL). There was no indication from the instruments telemetry that the scanner has moved, but this is awaiting confirmation after detailed assessment of housekeeping data and science data.
SPICAV
The instrument was regularly operated as part of the routine plan.
VeRA
No occultation observations were performed in this period.
VIRTIS
The instrument was regularly operated as part of the routine plan.
VMC
The instrument is operated as part of the routine plan.
Ground Facilities
Cebreros, New Norcia and Deep Space Network stations supported DDOR tests on DoY 193 and 195.
Future Milestones
Further tests with the PFS scanner are planned for 15 July and 26 July.
Testing of the newly uploaded SPICAV on-board control procedures is planned for 16 July.
An orbit change manoeuvre and IMP calibration are scheduled for 20 July.
