No. 155 - Downlinking of images and abbreviated solar array test
The target comet and the sky that will be seen during the approach phase in summer 2014 were imaged with OSIRIS and the navigation cameras during the previous reporting period, in preparation for the science mission. These images were downlinked during the current reporting period. On 31 March, an abbreviated solar arrays test was conducted at a Sun distance of around 4.195 AU; the test confirmed the performance of the updated model. The spacecraft is currently in active cruise mode and is navigating towards the point where it will enter the hibernation phase.
During the reporting period, mission operations were conducted using the ESA New Norcia (NNO) ground station.
|
Main activities during reporting period | |||
| DoY | Date | Pass | Activity |
| 089 | 30-Mar-2011 | NNO 2591 | Monitor |
| 090 | 31-Mar-2011 | NNO 2592 | Solar arrays test |
| 092 | 2-Apr-2011 | NNO 2594 | Monitor |
| 094 | 4-Apr-2011 | NNO 2596 | Monitor |
| 096 | 6-Apr-2011 | NNO 2598 | Monitor |
| 097 | 7-Apr-2011 | NNO 2599 | Monitor |
| 099 | 9-Apr-2011 | NNO 2601 | Monitor |
| 101 | 11-Apr-2011 | NNO 2603 | Monitor |
| 103 | 13-Apr-2011 | NNO 2605 | Monitor |
| 104 | 14-Apr-2011 | NNO 2606 | Monitor |
| 106 | 16-Apr-2011 | NNO 2608 | Monitor |
|
DoY = Day of year | |||
At the end of the reporting period on 17 April, Rosetta was 492.56 million kilometres from Earth (3.29 AU); one-way signal travel time was 1643 seconds (27 minutes 23 seconds). The distance from the Sun was 638.18 million kilometres (4.26 AU).
Spacecraft
| Payload Status | |
| ALICE | The instrument is currently OFF. |
| CONSERT | The instrument is currently OFF. |
| COSIMA | The instrument is currently OFF. |
| GIADA | The instrument is currently OFF. |
| MIDAS | The instrument is currently OFF. |
| MIRO | The instrument is currently OFF. |
| OSIRIS | The instrument is currently OFF. |
| ROSINA | The instrument is currently OFF. |
| RPC | The instrument is currently OFF. |
| RSI | The USO is ON/muted since 3 February 2010 (DoY 032/2010). |
| VIRTIS | The instrument is currently OFF. |
| Lander (Philae) | The instrument is currently OFF. |
| SREM | The instrument is ON with standard settings since 3 February 2010 (DoY 032/2010). |
Future Milestones
The spacecraft is now cruising towards the point where it can safely enter the hibernation phase and is going through an opposition phase; no impact on operations is expected because of this.
In view of the anomalous acceleration during the observations in the previous reporting period, a slew manoeuvre to the relevant attitude is planned for 28 April to ensure that this event is not linked to a permanent condition and is most likely due to outgassing of deposits from the rendezvous manoeuvre thruster firings.
Summary of upcoming events:
- 28 April 2011: Slew to outgassing attitude for verification
- 2 May 2011: Batteries discharge for solar arrays test
- 11 May 2011: Solar arrays test at 4.35 AU
- 20 May 2011: End of opposition phase
- 23 May 2011: Spacecraft configuration for low power conditions
- 08 June 2011: Hibernation entry
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Legal disclaimer
This report is based on the ESOC mission operations report, WOR #155. Please see the copyright section of the legal disclaimer (linked from the home page http://sci.esa.int) for terms of use.