[sci.astro] Magellan Update - 11/13/90

baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke) (11/14/90)

                         MAGELLAN STATUS REPORT
                           November 13, 1990
 
     The Magellan spacecraft is now in its 17th mapping orbit since radar
mapping was resumed on the morning of November 10.  All systems are nominal
and six of the seven STARCALS (star calibrations) in the past 24 hours were
fully successful.
 
     Late today, a software patch to control the solar panel positions with
ephemeris tables will be sent to the spacecraft.
 
     Analysis of radar data from tape recorder track A4 indicates that it is
about the same as before Superior Conjunction.  That is, it does not show the
progressive deterioration that was seen on track 2, but the rate of errors
was not improved by eliminating the solar panel vibrations.
      ___    _____     ___
     /_ /|  /____/ \  /_ /|
     | | | |  __ \ /| | | |      Ron Baalke         | baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov
  ___| | | | |__) |/  | | |___   Jet Propulsion Lab | baalke@jems.jpl.nasa.gov
 /___| | | |  ___/    | |/__ /|  M/S 301-355        |
 |_____|/  |_|/       |_____|/   Pasadena, CA 91109 |