TC-100: Diviner Mapping.

The scan will start around 9:30pm. We are waiting for the test panel to get colder.
FSW kernel load should start around 4:30am. DSB testing should start around 7am.

"He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered whose it was and whether they were enjoying it."

Douglas Adams, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"

Power Up Starting @ 7:30pm

Bob to the rescue. We had some problems with people getting here because of the snow. (Yes, I know its not sticking.) We had to call on Bob I. to come bail us out.

My guess is we will start with TC-100, DLRE Mapping activity around 8:30pm. That means that the FSW Kernel load should happen around 3am and the DSB test should start around 5:30am.

"through me you enter into the city of woes
through me you enter into eternal pain,
through me you enter the population of loss.
. . .
abandon all hope, you who enter here." from Dante's Inferno

At Vacuum early 4:10pm.

We started pump down early and it only took 3 hours to pump down. Probably because its dry outside and we're really clean now.

Waiting on folks to come in so we can power up.

“Punctuality is the art of guessing how late the other fellow is going to be”

TV Chamber Pumpdown Has Started!

The LEND Functional test is complete and the Orbiter is powered down. (TC-95 & TC-96)

The thermal vacuum chamber operations personnel started the pumpdown at 12:53 PM. (TC-97) The estimated time for pumpdown to hard vacuum(10-5 torr), is 5-6 hours.

When we reach hard vacuum, we will power up the Orbiter and configure for Transition to Thermal Balance #3. (TC-98)

Be There or Be Square!!

LRO is on the move again!!!!

At7:10 AM today, 12/06/2008, we began the Orbiter Trend up test, TC-92. This will be followed by the LROC Collimator Test, TC-93. We anticipate installing the Californium radioative source at 11:00 AM and then closing the door for chamber pumpdown.

After closing the door, we will run the LEND functional (with source), then power down the orbiter for the initial stage uf chamber pump down. the orbiter will remain off until the cha,ber pressure reaches 10-5 torr or less.

.........
Once upon a mid-shift dreary,
while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of software lore,
While I nodded, soundly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some TC gently tapping, tapping on my neck so sore
'Tis some TC, I muttered, `tapping on my neck so sore
Only this, and nothing more.'

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each thermal cycle wrought its data from the plan.
Eagerly I sought the morrow;
vainly I had wished to borrow
From my laptop files of sorrow, sorrow for the lost Joanne -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Joanne-
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each thermal curtain
Thrilled me, filled me with unnoticed problems never seen before;
So that now, to calm the beating of my heart,
I stood repeating'Tis some shift lead simply pleading, for entrance through the building door, Some poor shift lead pleading,
for entrance through the building door;
This it is, and nothing more,’
…………………(To be Continued)

With apologies to E.A. Poe

5:20pm and all's well.

We look good for proceeding with our plan tomorrow. The only thing left to do is finish the test heater verification tonight. All the chamber work is complete.

Power up could happen as early as 7pm tomorrow.

3rd times a charm.

The plan for our 3rd door closing:

Today: (2 shifts)

Reconfigure the chamber and test fixture.
Finish blanket closeouts.
Run SAS Range of Motion.
Run Diviner Self Portrait Scan
Upload WAC Init file and checkout.

Sat. 12/6: Start 3 shift operations.
Start 7am
7a-9a: Orbiter Trending.
9a-10a: LROC NAC Images
10a – 11a: Install LEND radiation source.
11a-12p: Close Chamber Door
11a – 2p: Run LEND Short Functional w/source
2p -3p: Power down Spacecraft
2p : Start Pumpdown
10p: When we get to 5x10^ -5,
Power up spacecraft
Flood shroud.

“Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men (and women) who kept on working.”

ohm's law and stuff

V=I*R
P=I^2*R
'nuff said.

Schedule for Door Closing

As of this moment, we are going to resume 24hour operations starting Saturday, Dec 6 at 7am. I expect the door to close around 10am and pump down to start around 6pm.

“Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.” Barbara Johnson