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GP-B Post-Flight Analysis—Final Report - Gravity Probe B - Stanford ...

GP-B Post-Flight Analysis—Final Report - Gravity Probe B - Stanford ...

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Figure 7-1. Schematic of Guide Star Valid (GSV) and Guide Star Invalid (GSI) periods7.1.4 Guide Star VerificationGuide Star verification was performed by visiting two neighbor stars during IOC. On 2004/162, Neighbor Star 1(HD 216635) was acquired and held in the FOV for approximately 15 hours. On 2004/167, Neighbor Star 1 wasacquired again and held for approximately. 3 hours. On 2004/169, HR Pegasi was acquired and held in the FOVfor approximately. 1 hour. Additionally, the Science Team was able to confirm the identity of these neighborstars through inertial location in space, and by star brightness.7.2 He Thruster TechnologyTranslation and attitude control of <strong>Gravity</strong> <strong>Probe</strong>-B is achieved primarily through the use of sixteen thrusters.The thrusters use helium boil-off from <strong>GP</strong>-B’s dewar for propellant. Since the rate of boil-off in the dewar is onthe order of milligrams per second, each thruster is capable of imparting a very small amount of force on thespace vehicle (the requirement for maximum thrust is 8 mN per thruster using 6.9x10-6 kg/s or less of helium).The purpose of this section is to show the level of minuteness that the amount of thrust produced by thesethrusters can be controlled to. A quantitative measure for this is derived from on-orbit telemetry and groundtesting. Furthermore, several analogies are made between this numerical figure and figures commonlyencountered in everyday life in order to provide the reader with a qualitative feel for this parameter.The amount of thrust produced by each thruster can be linearly regulated. Ground testing has revealed adirectly proportional relationship between thrust and pressure in the restrictor of the thruster.Pressure in the restrictor is controlled by movement of the piston and measured by an Endevco Model 8510B-1sensor. The sensor is a piezoresistive type transducer with a range from 0 psig to 1 psig (or equivalently, 0 torr to51.706 torr).<strong>Gravity</strong> <strong>Probe</strong> B — <strong>Post</strong> <strong>Flight</strong> Analysis • Final <strong>Report</strong> March 2007 173

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