Mars Global Surveyor Status Report 29 Aug 2001

Mars Global Surveyor Status Report

Wednesday, August 29, 2001 (DOY 234/19:00:00 to DOY 241/19:00:00 UTC)

Launch/Days since Launch = Nov. 7, 1996/1757 days

Start of Mapping/Days since Start of Mapping = April 1, 1999/881 days

Total Mapping Orbits = 11,070

Total Orbits = 12,753

Recent Events:

Background Sequences – The spacecraft is operating nominally in
performing daily recording and transmission of science data. The
mm152 sequence has performed well since it started on 01-228
(8/16/01). It terminates on 01-255 (9/12/01).

A Delta-DOR experiment was performed on 01-236 (8/24/01).

Other – Five Roll Only Targeted Observations (ROTOs) were
successfully performed since the last report. MGS has completed 183
ROTOs to date.

Spacecraft Health:

All subsystems report good health and status except for the MOLA
payload instrument that malfunctioned on 01-181 (6/30/01). The MOLA
instrument team is still investigating the anomaly.

Uplinks:

There have been 13 uplinks to the spacecraft during the past week,
including instrument command loads, and the MZ128 and MZ129 ROTO
mini-sequences. Also a new ROTO script was uplinked. It will allow
MGS to perform ROTOs during scheduled communications orbits.
Previously MGS has been restricted to performing ROTOs only during
scheduled non-communications orbits. 5,590 command files have been
radiated to the spacecraft since launch.

Upcoming Events:

Delta-DOR experiments are scheduled for 01-247 (9/4/01), 01-253
(9/10/01), 01-267 (9/24/01), 01-269 (9/26/01).

A Solar Array (SA) and High Gain Antenna (HGA) flexible modes
baseline diagnostic test will be performed on 01-154 (9/11/01).
Performing this test periodically should give us insight into any
additional SA hinge or HGA gimbal degradation if it occurs.

MOLA Diagnostic Test #4 will take place on 01-156 (9/13/01).