WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR WEEK ENDING 26 JANUARY 2001:
FINAL CLEARANCE CHECKS FOR PAYLOAD TO TILT DOLLY INSERTION COMPLETED
All final clearance checks for insertion of the Gravity Probe B Integrated Payload into the Space Vehicle Tilt Dolly have been completed. A foam
mockup of the Payload was constructed and used for successfully dry running the HEPL crane and Space Vehicle Tilt Dolly operations for installing the
Payload into the Tilt Dolly. Final checks of all sling lengths and proof tag documentation for lifting GSE were also completed.
Photo: The Integrated Payload entering the transport vehicle.
COMPLETED CM 13: GSS-FIRST FLIGHT UNIT DELIVERED FOR INTEGRATED PAYLOAD TESTING (II)
The GSS team successfully completed NASA milestone CM-13: GSS-First Flight Unit Delivered for Integrated Payload Testing (II). The delivery was more
than 6 weeks ahead of the baseline commitment. The milestone represents the first assembly and initial test of a GSS box. Additional detailed
testing is still required to show that the box is fully functional in all aspects, but the abbreviated FSU test procedure shows the box to be generally functional.
PAYLOAD TEST TEAM READIES PAYLOAD FOR SHIPMENT TO ACOUSTIC TEST
The payload test team has completed nearly all operations required prior to shipment of the payload to acoustic test. The plan calls for shipment
(weather permitting) this Saturday.
GYRO TEST TEAM BEGINS UNCAGED GYRO SHAKE
The gyro test team has begun the uncaged gyro shake test. The purpose of this test is to demonstrate that it is safe to transport the payload to
acoustic test with the gyroscopes uncaged. The test will also demonstrate that it is safe to perform the acoustic test with the gyroscopes uncaged.
A pathfinder test was completed during the past week. A number of problems were uncovered and resolved in that test.
Photo: A sealed test unit containing the mini-quartz block in the clean room during testing.