STARDUST Status Report

December 10, 1999

There were two scheduled Deep Space Network (DSN) passes this week with all subsystems performance remaining normal. An additional three Payload Attitude Control Interface (PACI) resets occurred. The first on Nov 29, the second on Dec 3, and the third on Dec 5. As with the previous resets the patch worked flawlessly.

Sequence SC012 started successfully on Monday and the first DSN pass on Tuesday was used to install a new file that will provide for faster telemetry for uplink verification at low data rates. When the data rates are 100 bits per second (bps) or lower, it can take up to thirty minutes to verify that an uplink was received by the spacecraft. The nominal data for this sequence and the upcoming sequences is 40 bps. The new file will produce the verification telemetry at a faster rate and downlink the information to the ground on a priority basis. Sequence SC012 is the active sequence. The kickoff meeting for sequence SC013 was held on Tuesday. During this sequence the Deep Space Maneuver (DSM) will be performed.

Education and Outreach Team supported the STARDUST exhibit at the Planetary Society sponsored, Planetfest '99 in Pasadena, California. The event was held in conjunction with the Mars Polar Lander and Deep Space 2 landing operations.

For more information on the STARDUST mission - the first ever comet sample return mission - please visit the STARDUST home page: