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Gravity Probe B

Testing Einstein's Universe

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR WEEK ENDING 24 MARCH 2000:

STANFORD HIGHLIGHT
The Lockheed Martin Probe repair team has successfully completed all validation testing on the 2 thermal repair validation assemblies. This very important achievement gives us great confidence as we near the start of rework operations on the probe. The tests performed on the two samples are given below (in the order performed).

  1. Thermal conduction and vacuum integrity tests.
  2. Prototypical insertion of pins.
  3. Thermal conduction and vacuum tests following the rework/repair.
  4. Axial load and random vibration tests.
  5. Thermal and vacuum integrity recheck.
  6. Two thermal cycles to LN2 temperature.
  7. Thermal conduction and vacuum integrity tests.

Photo: A mock-up of the science instrument used for testing rework operations.

SPACE VEHICLE HIGHLIGHT
Both the pressed and epoxied Composite Neck Tube (CNT) validation specimens have successfully passed vacuum integrity and thermal conduction testing after load and random vibration testing. The specimens are each being subjected to two thermal shocks (dunking into LN2). They will then again be re-tested for both vacuum integrity and thermal conductance.

Photo: LMSS Engineers Eric Will, Mike Gate and LMSS Technician Thomas Hamm with one of the CNT validation specimens prepared for random vibration testing in LMSS B/151.

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