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Gravity Probe B

Testing Einstein's Universe

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR WEEK ENDING 19 JANUARY 2001:

PAYLOAD ACOUSTIC TEST PREPARATIONS CONTINUE TO GO WELL
Preparations for the move of the Science Payload to Sunnyvale for the Payload Acoustic test continue to go well. The team accomplished the following:

  1. The Space Vehicle transporter was driven from Vandenberg Air Force Base to Sunnyvale.
  2. The Transporter was instrumented with shock recorders, and was driven from Sunnyvale to Stanford and back on the route that will be used with the Payload. Shock levels were within expected levels.
  3. The Tilt Dolly, Tilt Ring, Payload Aft Support and associated slings and strongbacks were transported to Stanford.
  4. The Tilt Dolly was moved into the FIST Ops area, and is configured and ready to accept the Payload.

Photo: The Space Vehicle Transporter arriving at Stanford University

ECU EMI TEST IN PROGRESS
The ECU EMI testing is projected to end by 24 January. At conclusion of the testing the UV investigation in the TV chamber will begin. The design for inclusion of more filter area in the box cover has been completed and is out for review.

FORWARD SRE TRR PLANNED FOR 18 JANUARY
The Fwd SRE TRR is 18 January to allow start of pyroshock and random vib testing of the two forward units. Preparations are underway to replace the diodes on the Interpoint power supplies to reduce the synch voltage peaks.

UNCAGED GYROSCOPE SHAKE TEST
The gyroscope test team has been working on demonstrating in an off-line test the ability of the uncaged flight gyroscopes to safely survive the upcoming payload acoustic test. The team has successfully qualified the mini-quartz block system including a test gyroscope. The mini-quartz block and associated gyro suspension electronics were then transported to a shake facility. Two DDC GSE systems (only one is required for this test) were damaged in transportation. The plan is to repair a DDC system, retest the gyro, perform the shake on the gyro, and then retest the gyro thereby demonstrating the survivability of an uncaged gyro in shake.

Photo: The mini-quartz block in the clean room during testing.

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