WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR WEEK ENDING 16 MARCH 2001:
GP-B PAYLOAD SUCCESSFULLY DELIVERED TO STANFORD FROM ACOUSTIC TEST
The Gravity Probe B Payload was successfully returned to its Payload Assembly Stand in Stanford's HEPL High Bay. The Payload was
installed into the MPT on March 8. The MPT delivered the Payload to Stanford on March 10, where it was also re-installed into the S/V Tilt
Dolly. On March 11 the Payload was installed into the Payload Assembly Stand. These operations complete the transportation and handling portions
of the Payload Acoustic Test. The payload is now being configured for post-acoustic confidence test.
Photo: LMSS Engineer Bruce Hoyman observing the lift of the GP-B Payload out of the Space Vehicle Tilt Dolly in Stanford's HEPL High Bay.
ECU IN PREPARATION FOR FINAL PENALTY TESTING
The ECU Test set was ETPed in preparation for the ECU thermal vacuum penalty test. The GMA pressure sensor will be tested with the flight ECU
using the ECU/GMA harness. This test harness contains the in-line resistor fix for the pressure sensor common mode problem. Close out of ECU test
issues are being addressed prior to the AFT unit going into penalty thermal vacuum and random vibration test.
SRE QA AUDIT COMPLETE
During incoming inspection of the reworked forward converter and forward interface PWAs the QA inspector noted a missing stiffener from one of the
flight boards. The AFT and forward SRE units were disassembled and boards were removed for inspection for compliance with the design documentation.
The audit has identified two boards without stiffeners that were proto qual vibrated. Analysis is underway to determine the likelihood of potential
damage to the board components.
Photo: The Aft SRE electronics