SIRTF Update 17 September 2003

This is Day 24 of the 90-day in-orbit checkout and science
verification period. In-orbit checkout activities continue as planned.
The observatory has operated autonomously, collecting and downlinking
data, for periods in excess of 24 hours. All systems are performing as
expected. Engineering data from the science instruments are flowing
smoothly from the spacecraft through the ground data system to the
pipeline at the SIRTF Science Center, which is processing the data as
planned. The telescope is now at about 53 K (-220 C), and is expected
to reach its nominal operating temperature of 5.5 K (-267.5 C) in
early October.