Going Blind In Deep Space

Deep Space 1 will enter radio block out for over a month starting next.

by Dan Eldred
DS1 Mission Manager
Pasadena - Oct. 18, 2000
The most recent telemetry from Deep Space One was on October 9, and a planned carrier-only signal was received on October 12.

The spacecraft is thrusting in the attitude required to reach comet Borrelly, and all spacecraft systems are working well. DS1 has accomplished 100% of the thrusting that was planned for the last week.

The carrier-only signal implemented the new signaling strategy that was tested on the spacecraft on September 15, and indicated that the spacecraft was still tracking its guide star for attitude control.

Sequences were loaded to control the spacecraft through solar conjunction, which will result in a communications blackout for as much as a month.

The last planned commanding before our command moratorium will be on October 23, and we will attempt to reestablish two-way communications starting November 28.

DEEP SPACE ONE

Deep Space One Mission Continues

Pasadena - Sept. 24, 2000
Deep Space 1's journey through the solar system is progressing very smoothly, as the probe continues heading toward an ambitious meeting with comet Borrelly just one year from now.

SPACE.WIRE