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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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Monthly Highlights of the <strong>GP</strong>-B Science PhaseMonth Activities & EventsJune 2005July 2005August 2005All four gyros continue generating science data.Preliminary non-torquing SRE calibrations tests continue.Spacecraft full-sun period ends.Gyro #2 transitions to analog backup suspension mode and is subsequently re-suspended indigital mode.Benign MBEs discovered in SRE are patched via ground commands.Forward feed term of drag-free controller updated to improve accuracy based on 13 monthsof flight data.Another heat pulse meter test is run; results continue to indicate late August-early Septemberhelium depletion date.Switched drag-free control from gyro #3 to gyro #1 as part of ongoing calibration tests.All four gyros continue generating science data.With sun now shining on aft section of spacecraft, ATC performance now most stable ofentire science phase.Benign MBEs in GSS computer patched via ground commands.Calibration tests on drag-free gyro #3 cause it to switch to analog suspension; gyro #3 issubsequently re-suspended digitally.Visit from Tony Lyons & Tony Lavoie from NASA MSFC; off-site management meeting held todiscuss end-of-mission trade-offs between length of science and calibration phases.Poker Flats, AK ground station communication problems require temporary switch toMcMurdo ground station at South Pole.UV light used once again to remove electrostatic charge from al four gyro rotors;Dr. Anne Kinney, Director of Universe Division in the Science Mission Directorate at NASA HQspends a day visiting <strong>GP</strong>-B.All four gyros continue generating science data.Preliminary instrument calibration tests continue.A final heat pulse meter test is run and again confirms previous predictions of late August -early September helium depletion date.Based on the results of the heat pulse meter tests, as well as other helium lifetime estimates,science data collection concluded on August 12. In total, the mission collected science datafor 352 days (11.6 months) during 7,000+ orbits, with a 99% data capture rate.Dr. Nancy Roman, retired Chief of Astronomy & Relativity Programs at NASA Headquartersfrom 1960-1979, who oversaw the early development of <strong>GP</strong>-B visited <strong>Stanford</strong> for two days.Rex Geveden, former MSFC Program Manager for <strong>GP</strong>-B was appointed Associate NASAAdministrator at NASA Headquarters.Final instrument calibration tests, which required pointing the <strong>GP</strong>-B telescope & spacecraft atneighboring stars in the vicinity of guide star IM Pegasi commenced.2.6 Calibration PhaseThis section provides an overview and summary of the activities that occurred during the final 6-weekcalibration phase of the mission.<strong>Gravity</strong> <strong>Probe</strong> B — <strong>Post</strong> <strong>Flight</strong> Analysis • Final <strong>Report</strong> March 2007 61

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