Status Report

Mars Global Surveyor Status Report 21 Mar 2001

By SpaceRef Editor
March 21, 2001
Filed under ,

Wednesday, March 21, 2001 (DOY 073/19:00:00 to DOY 080/19:00:00 UTC)

Launch / Days since Launch = Nov. 7, 1996 / 1596 days

Start of Mapping / Days since Start of Mapping = April 1, 1999 / 720 days

Total Mapping Orbits = 9,102

Total Orbits = 10,785

Recent Events:

Background Sequences — The spacecraft continues to operate nominally
in performing the beta-supplement daily recording and transmission of science
data. The mm122 sequence executed successfully from 01-074 (3/15/01) through
01-076 (3/17/01). The mm123 sequence has performed well since it started
on 01-077 (3/18/01). It terminates on 01-080 (3/21/01). The mm124 sequence,
successfully uplinked on 01-079 (3/20/01), begins executing on 01-081 (3/22/01).

Other – MGS performed 10 Roll Only Targeted Observations since the last
status report, bringing the total number of ROTOs to 36.



Spacecraft Health:

All subsystems report nominal health.

Uplinks:

There have been 10 uplinks to the spacecraft during the past week, including
instrument command loads, the background sequences cited above, the ROTO
mini-sequence mz080, and the Relay-22 Demo mini-sequence mz081. There have
been 5,200 command files radiated to the spacecraft since launch.

Upcoming Events:

The mm125 background sequence will be uplinked on 01-082 (3/23/01).
ROTO mini-sequences mz082 and mz083 will be uplinked and executed this next
week. On 01-082 (3/23/01), the mz081 mini-sequence will command MGS to
a more fuel-efficient attitude for approximately four hours. The data collected
during this demonstration will allow us to characterize the thermal, momentum
buildup, fuel usage, and Starex processing profiles of the spacecraft in
the new attitude. We will also gather high frequency body rate data to
diagnose the health of the -Y solar array hinge. This knowledge will help
us plan for future mission activities.

SpaceRef staff editor.