The Trajectory Correction Maneuver A (TCM-A) was performed nearly flawless
on December 28, with less than one-sigma errors in both maneuver magnitude
and pointing. The timeline was followed to the second, and communication
was re-established with the spacecraft after the maneuver as planned.
All subsystems performed as predicted with the battery discharge being 3%
less than predicted. An apparent 3 cm shift in the spacecraft center of
mass location from the pre-launch model was observed and is under study.
A review of TCM-A was held with independent peer reviewers participating as
part of the preparation for Deep Space Maneuver-1 (DSM-1). It was decided
to perform this maneuver in three parts, on January 18, 20 and 22. The
timeline for DSM-1 was reviewed and the process of exchanging data files
between navigation, maneuver and the spacecraft team has begun.
The Flight Software (FSW) patch needed to go to All-Stellar attitude was
commanded to the spacecraft on January 3, and the spacecraft was placed in
Dual Mode and then All-Stellar mode for a few hours to monitor the
performance of the FSW patch. A few multiple firings of the Attitude
Control System (ACS) jets were recorded which the patch was supposed to
fix. Therefore, the spacecraft did not transition to All-Stellar attitude
this week, but the flight team will repeat the Dual Mode and All-Stellar
tests and Spacecraft Test Laboratory (STL) testing to determine why the
patch allowed multiple firings. This will delay going All-Stellar until
after DSM-1.
For more information on the STARDUST mission – the first ever
comet sample return mission – please visit the STARDUST home page:
