The NEAR spacecraft continued to operate nominally in Operational Mode
with Flight Computer #1 and Attitude Interface Unit #2 in control. All
instruments remained "ON" during this week.
S/C Attitude pointing
continues to alternate between Eros pointing, Earth pointing, and Sun
pointing as required to conduct Eros approach operations.
NEAR is presently: 17,902 Km from Eros (11,124 miles), 1.788 AU from
Earth, and 1.433 AU from the Sun.
The co-timing test between the Laser Altimeter and the Imager was
successfully conducted on January 21. Science activities this week also
included:
MSI Eros Movie #3 on 1/22/2000
NIS raster test on 1/25/2000
NIS cal target 8 on 1/25/2000
MSI Light Curve 3 on 1/26/2000
Regular Eros OpNav images were taken this week.
Final preparations and testing of the NEAR command load to start on
January 31 are completed. This command load includes all activities
planned through February 6 including the Rendezvous burn on 2/2/00.
Upcoming Spacecraft Activities:
