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Gravity Probe B

Testing Einstein's Universe

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR WEEK ENDING 21 JANUARY 2000:

STANFORD HIGHLIGHT
The gyroscope test group has completed room temperature operations on gyroscopes #3 and #4. The gyroscopes performed flawlessly as listed below.

  1. Both gyros were levitated on the first attempt
  2. The rotor spindown rates in the gyro center position were nominal.
  3. The rotor range of motion were nominal.
  4. The rotor spindown rates in the gyro spinup position were nominal.
These results confirm that the spindown rate anomalies found in Payload Test I were the result of cryo-contamination. This anomaly will be rectified for Payload Test II by modification of test procedures and hardware as required. The UV systems for the 4 gyroscopes were rechecked and all of the hardware met spec. The team members involved in this work include R. Brumley, B. Clarke, C. Gray, D. Hipkins, and R. Leese.

Photo: Technician Chris Gray holding one of the four science gyro assemblies.

SPACE VEHICLE HIGHLIGHT
The two flight RF box assemblies, each consisting of one transponder, band reject filter, transfer switch, and diplexer, have been installed on the spacecraft in B/205.

Photo: LMMS Engineer Bill Jacobsen with the flight RF boxes installed on the spacecraft.

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