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Gravity Probe B

Testing Einstein's Universe

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR WEEK ENDING 26 NOVEMBER 1999:

STANFORD HIGHLIGHT
Phase C of Payload test I continued this week with slow speed spins of gyroscopes #3 and #4. The gyro range of motion was measured in each case. For gyro #3 the spin down rate of 0.80 mHz/hr met specification. For gyro #4 the spin down rate in the horizontal position was anomalously high. We have begun an investigation to determine the cause, which may be the result of the high gas flow used during earlier tests with the gyro delevitated. In addition, the DPA temperature stability measurement was successfully completed and the dewar boil-off rate in the horizontal orientation was consistent with the expectation. Team members involved in this work include R. Brumley, B. Clarke, P. Ehrensberger, B. Farley, C. Gray, D. Hipkins, R. Leese, J. Maddocks, D. Murray, M. Taber, C. Warren, and T. Welsh

Photo: the life and times of a GP-B gyroscope...

SPACE VEHICLE HIGHLIGHT
The engineering unit Solar Array Deployment Mechanism (SADM) has successfully completed 100 cycles, fulfilling the mechanism life testing requirement.

Photo: LMMS engineer Shawn Shelton with the engineering unit SADM in B/255.

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