Lunar Prospector Status Report #57

November 13, 1998 - 1:00 p.m. EST (10:00 a.m. PST)

The Lunar Prospector spacecraft continues to perform very well.

Beginning Nov 2 (DOY 306), the DSN began collecting occultation timing data for the radio science team. This campaign will continue through Nov 14.

The transmitter continues to be cycled during occultations when the propellant tank heater is on. On DOY 316, a command system configuration problem at the station caused a 14 minute data loss when the command to power the transmitter on was delayed.

Current spacecraft state (0000 GMT 11/13/98):

Orbit: 3719
Downlink: 3600 bps
Spin Rate: 12.00 rpm

Spin Axis Attitude (ecliptic):
Latitude:-89.0 deg
Longitude: 166 deg

Trajectory:
Periapsis Alt: 93.2 km
Apoapsis Alt: 106.8 km

Inclination: 85.4 deg
Period: 118 min
Occultations: 45 minutes
Eclipses: 43 minutes
Propellant Remaining: 24.1 k