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Gravity Probe B

Testing Einstein's Universe

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR WEEK ENDING 28 May 1999:

STANFORD HIGHLIGHT
The team of Mike Taber, Dave Murray, Bill Thrasher, and Tom Welsh successfully performed a sub-atmospheric liquid helium transfer into the science mission dewar. This was the first time this operation was carried out on the science mission dewar.

The Probe C integration team successfully connected each gyroscope pickup loop cable to its associated SQUID readout hardware. The team members working on this task are Doron Bardas, Ken Bower, Rob Brumley, Chris Gray, David Hipkins, Russ Lesse, Ming Luo, Barry Muhlfelder, and Dorrene Ross.

Photo: Engineer Chris Gray applying epoxy to a screw. Screws are loosened, epoxy is applied and they are tightened again in the process known as "staking." Staking is done to keep fasteners tight during periods of vibration, particluarly during launch.

SPACE VEHICLE HIGHLIGHT
The Relativity Mission (GP-B) solar array development unit deployment mechanism was successfully random vibration tested in LMMS building. The development mechanism will complete functional testing at thermal vacuum extremes prior to qualification testing early this summer.
Photo: LMMS engineer Shawn Shelton with the Relativity Mission solar array deployment mechanism on the random vibration table.

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