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Lunar Prospector Status Report #60

December11, 1998 - 1:00 p.m. EST (10:00 a.m. PST)

The Lunar Prospector spacecraft is operating well and all instruments continue to collect good data.

There was no commanding this week.

 

Current spacecraft state (0000 GMT 12/11/98):

Orbit: 4062
Downlink: 3600 bps
Spin Rate: 11.99 rpm

Spin Axis Attitude (ecliptic):
Latitude:-88.6 deg
Longitude: 265 deg

Trajectory:
Periapsis Alt: 80.4 km
Apoapsis Alt: 119.6 km
Period: 118 min

Occultations: 45 minutes
Eclipses: 20 minutes
Propellant Remaining: 20.0 kg


On December 19, the orbit will be lowered from the nominal 100 km altitude mapping orbit to a 40 km altitude orbit. This will allow collection of data which can improve the gravity model in preparation for the extended mission. On January 16 the extended mission will begin, when the spacecraft will be lowered into a 25-30 km altitude orbit for six months.