2003 Genesis Mission Status Updates: July, August, September

November 26, 2003
The Genesis spacecraft continues its mission collecting solar wind material expelled from the Sun. Telemetry from the Genesis spacecraft indicates that all spacecraft subsystems are reporting nominal operation.

There are three collector arrays aboard Genesis that are exposed to, or hidden from, the solar wind. One collector array for each of the three solar wind regimes. Which collector array is exposed is determined by the data received by sensitive ion and electron monitors located on the spacecraft's equipment deck. These monitors scrutinize the solar wind passing by the spacecraft and relay this information to the onboard computer, which in turn commands the collector arrays to deploy and retract as needed. Recent solar activity has called for the 'low solar speed' array to be deployed 100% of the time. Also, the E-Array, which handles coronal mass ejections, was unshaded 94% of the time.

Telemetry from the Genesis spacecraft indicates that it is spinning at a rate of 1.6 rotations per minute. The spacecraft's space age 'gas gauge' indicates propellant usage totals are about 19.67 kilograms (43.36 pounds).

Genesis Vital Statistics:
833 days since launch.
128 days to planned completion of solar particle collection.
287 days to Genesis return to Earth.

August 22, 2003
The Genesis spacecraft continues its mission collecting solar wind material expelled from the Sun. Telemetry from the Genesis spacecraft indicates that all spacecraft subsystems are reporting nominal operation.

There are three collector arrays aboard Genesis that are exposed to, or hidden from, the solar wind. One collector array for each of the three solar wind regimes. Which collector array is exposed is determined by the data received by sensitive ion and electron monitors located on the spacecraft’s equipment deck. These monitors scrutinize the solar wind passing by the spacecraft and relay this information to the onboard computer, which in turn commands the collector arrays to deploy and retract as needed. Recent solar activity has called for a fifty/50 split of array activity. The ‘high solar speed’ collector array to be deployed 50% of the time, and the E-Array, which handles coronal mass ejections, was unshaded for the remaining 50% of the time.

There have been two concentrator rejection grid resets in the last week.A reset occurs when voltage running through the fine wires forming a rejection grid in the front of the spacecraft’s sample concentrator sags below the intended voltage. The grid carries a positive charge in order to deflect hydrogen ions while allowing heavier oxygen ions to pass through. That concentrates oxygen, in proportion to hydrogen, reaching a collector tile. On both occasions, the spacecraft’s systems successfully returned the voltage to its desired level within an hour.

The July 26 issue of “New Scientist” contains a comprehensive article on the Genesis mission and the extraordinary mid-air recovery technique that will be used upon its return.

Genesis Vital Statistics:
- 745 days since launch.
- 224 days to planned completion of solar particle collection.
- 382 days to Genesis return to Earth.

August 8, 2003 — Happy birthday Genesis!
T-plus two years since launch! The Genesis spacecraft continues its mission collecting solar wind material expelled from the Sun. Telemetry from the Genesis spacecraft indicates that all spacecraft subsystems are reporting nominal operation.

Recent solar activity has called for lower than usual array activity. The 'high solar speed' collector array to be deployed 79% of the time, and the E-Array, which handles coronal mass ejections, was unshaded for the remaining 21% of the time.

Genesis Vital Statistics:
- 731 days since launch
- 239 days to planned completion of solar particle collection.
- 396 days to Genesis return to Earth.

July 18, 2003
The Genesis spacecraft continues its mission collecting solar wind material expelled from the Sun. Telemetry from the Genesis spacecraft indicates that all spacecraft subsystems are reporting nominal operation.

Genesis Station Keeping Maneuver 4B was executed on Wednesday, July 30. The Genesis navigation team declared this to be a successful maneuver. The official report is expected in a few weeks.

Recent solar activity has called for higher than usual array activity. The 'high solar speed' collector array to be deployed 38% of the time, and the E-Array, which handles coronal mass ejections, 43% of the time. The 'low solar speed' collector was unshaded the remaining 15%. The remaining 4% of solar particle collection was handled by the bulk collectors during the station keeping maneuver.

Note: Genesis will log its second 'birthday' on Friday, August 8 - two years since launch.

July 18, 2003
The Genesis spacecraft continues its mission collecting solar wind material expelled from the Sun. Telemetry from the Genesis spacecraft indicates that all spacecraft subsystems are reporting nominal operation.

Recent solar activity has called for the 'high solar speed' collector array to be deployed 59% of the time, and the E-Array, which handles coronal mass ejections, 39% of the time. The 'low solar speed' collector was unshaded the remaining 2%.

Genesis Vital Statistics:
- 710 days since launch.
- 260 days to planned completion of solar particle collection.
- 417 days to Genesis return to Earth.