Mars Global Surveyor Status Report 5 Mar 2003

• March 05, 2003 (DOY 057/19:00:00 to DOY 064/19:00:00 UTC)
• Launch / Days since Launch = Nov. 7, 1996 / 2310 days
• Start of Mapping / Days since Start of Mapping = April 1, 1999 / 1435 days
• Total Mapping Orbits = 17,834
• Total Orbits = 19,517

Recent Events:

Background Sequences – The spacecraft is operating nominally in performing
the beta-supplement daily recording and transmission of science data.
The mm257 sequence executed successfully from 03-058 (2/27/03) through
03-060 (3/01/03). The mm258 sequence has performed well since it started
on 03-061 (3/02/03). It terminates on 03-064 (3/05/03). The mm259 sequence,
successfully uplinked on 03-063 (3/04/03), begins executing near the end of
day on 03-064 (3/05/03).

Other – Ten Roll Only Targeted Observations (ROTOs) were performed
successfully by the mz249 and mz250 mini-sequences. MGS has completed 581
ROTOs to date.

Spacecraft Health:

Spacecraft subsystems report good health and performance. Electrical power
margin is being managed by utilizing on-board solar array pointing scripts
instead of auto-tracking. On 03-064 (3/05/03), the “three-part motion
25-degree offpoint” scripts replaced the “three-part motion 0-degree
offpoint” scripts. This decreases the excess energy being produced by
the solar panels thereby preserving life in the Partial Shunt Assemblies.

Uplinks:

There were 19 uplinks to the spacecraft during the past week. They
included new star catalog and ephemeris files, nominal instrument command
loads, three 25-degree offpoint solar array motion scripts, the mz250 &
mz251 ROTO mini-sequences, and the mm258 & mm259 background sequences.
7,456 command files have been radiated to the spacecraft since launch.

Upcoming Events:

ROTOs are planned for the mz251 & mz252 mini-sequences. A Delta-DOR
experiment is scheduled for 03-074 (3/15/03). Another Solar Array and
HGA Flex Modes Test is scheduled for 03-076 (3/17/03).