No. 79 - Preparing for Deep Space Manoeuvre25 Apr 2007 17:19 Report for Period 24 March to 20 April 2007The reporting period covers a period of four weeks of limited science observations and navigation in preparation of the deep space manoeuvre 3.
All activities have been conducted according to the plan without major problems except for the Rosina RTOF (Reflectron type Time Of Flight mass spectrometer) sensor which is showing anomalous behaviour already seen earlier. Jupiter observations with the ALICE instrument will continue till May. The navigation campaign after the Mars Swing-by is continuing with the preparation of the Deep Space Manoeuvre 3 planned for 26 April 2007.
At the end of the reporting period (DOY 110) Rosetta was at 276.7 million km from Earth (1.84 AU; one-way signal travel time was 15 minutes 23 seconds). The distance to the Sun was 234.4 million Km (1.56 AU). SpacecraftPayload The reporting period included the following activities:
ALICE CONSERT COSIMA GIADA MIDAS MIRO OSIRIS ROSINA RPC RSI VIRTIS Lander Philae SREM Future MilestonesThe Mars swing-by phase will be formally completed with the Deep Space Manoeuvre 3 and the orbit determination following it. After this a few more Jupiter observations will be performed together with payloads and AOCVS check-out activities before the Near Sun Hibernation phase 4.
Last Update: 15 Jun 2007
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