STARDUST Status Report
December 12, 1997
Ken Atkins
STARDUST Project Manager
* The Sample Return Capsule Drop Test Readiness and Safety Review was held
at the Utah Test & Training Range; no significant issues were identified.
The test was rated as low risk and given verbal safety approval (formal
approval in about two weeks). The Safety Review Board indicated that the
review was the best and easiest they have had in years. The formal Drop
Test is planned for the week of Feb 2, weather permitting.
* 18 drop tests of parachutes were completed in Idaho by the parachute
supplier with the preliminary conclusion that a smaller chute (24.5 ft diameter)
is adequate. This will also improve ballasting and mass margin.
* The flight Dust Flux Monitor was received this week at Lockheed Martin.
* The C&DH (Command & Data Handling) Engineering Development
Unit (EDU) testing was completed and the EDU reinstalled in the STL (Spacecraft
Test Laboratory at Lockheed-Martin in Denver).
* The Navigation Camera EDU was delivered, tested with its support equipment
and testing in the Spacecraft Test Lab (STL) is underway.
* Mars Surveyor Ops Project (MSOP) completed the delivery of Ground Data
System Version B6.0 1 a week early including Telemetry, Sequence, Command
and TTACS (Test Telemetry and Command) upgrades to support the end-to-end
testing of the Navigation Camera EDU during the next 2 weeks.
For more information on the STARDUST mission - the first ever comet sample
return mission - please visit the STARDUST home page:
http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/
