Genesis Mission Outreach E-News, 24th Edition November 2001
Visit the Genesis mission outreach Web site at: http://genesismission.jpl.nasa.gov
Today Marks the Start of Genesis Science Collection
“We’ve been planning for this day since 1983 when we calculated the feasibility of a solar wind sample return,” noted mission Principal Investigator Don Burnett. “December 1997 marked the official start of the Genesis mission; today marks the official start of science collection for Genesis. This is when the first atoms arrive from the sun to the spacecraft–our first guaranteed solar matter that will be returned to Earth.”
We’re There!
The Genesis spacecraft went into perfect orbit insertion about the first Lagrangian point, L1, the morning of November 16, 2001. According to Mission Design and Navigation Team Lead George Carlisle, “The recent LOI (Lissajous Orbit Insertion) maneuver, on November 16, set up the five halo loops that Genesis will complete around L1 (lasting about 30 months), thus beginning the science part of the mission. Though this was a modest maneuver, it made the difference between allowing us to stay near L1 and collect the valuable science data represented by the solar wind particles over the next two and a half years, and falling back to Earth within a few months, empty handed.” http://www.genesismission.org/mission/index.html
What is LOI? According to Genesis Mission Operations Manager Don Sweetnam, “LOI is a spacecraft maneuver that enables a transition from the launch and early portion of the mission to the science sample collection portion of the mission. This is a mission milestone because a successful LOI maneuver will put us into an orbit that ensures we can collect solar wind samples for two years AND puts us on the proper trajectory to get back to Earth when sample collection is completed.”
See the mission status report:
November 16, 2001-Genesis Mission Status Report on Launch Orbit Insertion (LOI)
We’re there! A flawless 268-second burn was performed today to inject the spacecraft into its Lissajous orbit at Lagrange 1. A quick look of the burn that took us in to orbit insertion shows that the direction was within 1 degree of the plan. The backshell was successfully closed and science paused on Thursday. The program will hold a Readiness Review on November 20. The review objectives include showing that the project is ready to open the canister and start science, has contingency plans, and operations is ready to implement the plan. We continue to maintain the sample return capsule’s battery at the desired temperature of 23 C with its heater. The science instruments were successfully taken out of high voltage operation before orbit insertion. The Sun has been quiet for the last few days…
Read the JPL news release on LOI at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/releases/2001/release_2001_223.html
Where is the Genesis Spacecraft Now?
View the position of the Genesis spacecraft. Most images are updated every 10 minutes. http://www.genesismission.org/mission/live_shots.html
NEW Middle School Education Module on Launch and Propulsion
Launch student excitement with the new middle school module titled “Dynamic Design: Launch and Propulsion.” http://www.genesismission.org/educate/scimodule/Launch_Prop.html Student texts and activities guide classroom learning about the history of rocketry and how rockets are launched today. Initially, students work individually with variables that might affect the performance of a launch vehicle. Then a team investigation of a selected variable culminates in a testing activity, enabling students to learn the various aspects of launching a rocket. In the assessment, students compete in a rocket activity that challenges them to build a launch vehicle and fly it to the highest of their abilities.
NASA’s Discovery Program Quarterly Newsletter
A new Discovery Program newsletter has been posted online. Read about Genesis and other NASA Discovery missions in the latest Discovery Dispatch at: http://discovery.nasa.gov/newsletters_archive.html
An Apple for the Teacher
Teachers, watch for upcoming details around our February 21, 2002 Genesis Webcast in honor of National Engineers’ Week. We will bring mission engineers, classroom teachers, and students together nationwide for an interactive Webcast. Plan on participating in this exciting opportunity, and watch the Genesis Web site for additional information as the Webcast date nears.
Genesis Mission Outreach E-News features information about the mission, its outreach Web site, and products, services, and materials available from the McREL Genesis Education and Public Outreach (EPO) team. NASA’s Discovery 5 Mission: Genesis is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
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