Galileo Status Report - April 8, 1996

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
JET PROPULSION LABORATORY
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
PASADENA, CALIF. 91109. TELEPHONE (818) 354-5011

GALILEO MISSION STATUS

April 8, 1996

The Galileo spacecraft continues to play back tape-recorded probe science data of measurements made in Jupiter's atmosphere last Dec. 7, filling all gaps left in prior transmissions. In addition, since March 26 it has been collecting and transmitting measurements of Jupiter's magnetosphere and dust environment, similar to those made on the way to Jupiter.

Telemetry indicates that Galileo is operating normally, and all the instruments are in good condition. Eight instruments are powered on, but only the magnetometer and dust detector are returning science data at this time. The spacecraft is spinning at about 3 rpm, and transmitting science and engineering data at 16 bits per second.

After a thorough analysis of telemetry from the propulsion system, Galileo engineers decided to increase the spacecraft electric power margin, which will allow propellant temperatures and pressures to increase safely. Increasing the power margin permits flexibility in spacecraft operations, starting in late June with scientific observations of Ganymede, Io and Jupiter's Red Spot. The engineers have also finalized the procedures for using the tape recorder during that encounter to obtain images and other science data. They believe these procedures will carry the spacecraft through all fault scenarios.

The Galileo spacecraft is 18.7 million kilometers (11.6 million miles) from Jupiter, 19.7 million kilometers (12 million miles) from Ganymede, and 775 million kilometers (482 million miles) from Earth.

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