Skip navigation

Gravity Probe B

Testing Einstein's Universe

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR WEEK ENDING 25 JANUARY 2002:

ECU, SRE, and TRE BOXES INSTALLED ONTO SPACE VEHICLE
The forward and aft ECU, one forward and one aft SRE, and one TRE were successfully installed onto the space vehicle. The confidence testing of these boxes, which tests the communication with the spacecraft, is in progress. The team successfully installed the forward and aft Sun Sensors and the forward and aft Omni Antennas . The forward Sun Sensors also successfully completed phasing testing after their installation.

Photo: The electronics boxes during Payload testing, taken last August.

SRE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT TEST RESULTS ARE ENCOURAGING
A large set of tests performed on the flight SRE system has demonstrated with reasonable confidence that on-orbit thermal variations of the SRE will not significantly affect the science data. The tests included measurements of the SRE science data temperature sensitivity and passive thermal attenuation. Measurements were made at roll frequency, orbital frequency, and near dc. Work is on-going to more completely understand all of the data so as to further reduce the program risk in this critical area. The team report is in progress and will be available towards the end of February.

Photo: The flight Aft SRE during assembly.

<<Previous Highlight   Next Highlight>>

Index of Highlights