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Gravity Probe B

Testing Einstein's Universe

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FOR WEEK ENDING 19 APRIL 2002:

ECU AND SRE OPERATIONAL TESTS LOOK GOOD
Space vehicle integration continued to make good progess in the past week. The ECU operational test successfully confirmed the payload thermometry, heaters, and other instrumentation. The SRE operational test successfully turned on and flux locked three of the flight SQUIDs. The fourth SQUID will be tested next week. The P9 gauge which measures probe pressure was installed on the space vehicle and the ECU which monitors this gauge gave a probe pressure of 17 mT (as expected). Currently, a pumping system is in use on the probe to reduce the pressure.

Photo: Stanford University Engineer Ken Bower with the installed P9 gauges on the GP-B Space Vehicle.

GSS FORWARD BOX SERIAL #1 COMPLETES BOX LEVEL TESTING
Forward GSS box serial #1 has completed extended functional test. This is the last of the tests required at box level for the forward unit. The unit will next be installed on the space vehicle. The other forward boxes will also go through extended functional test and they will then be installed on the space vehicle.

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