Lunar Prospector Status Report #82

May 14, 1999 - 1:00 p.m. EST (10:00 a.m. PST)

The Lunar Prospector spacecraft continues to collect good science data in the extended mission orbit. All five science instruments are on: the Gamma Ray Spectrometer (GRS), the Neutron Spectrometer (NS), the Magnetometer (MAG), the Electron Reflectometer (ER), and the Alpha Particle Spectrometer (APS). Data continues to be collected for the Doppler Gravity Experiment (DGE) as well.

The transmitter was turned off for short intervals three times this week during eclipse periods when the propellant tank heater was on. The battery voltage dropped to the yellow low limit for 10 of 16 heater events, but never reached the red limit.

All commands (16 total) executed normally this we

Current spacecraft state (0000 GMT 5/14/99, DOY 134):

Orbit: 6045
Downlink: 3600 bps
Spin Rate: 12.05 rpm

Spin Axis Attitude (ecliptic):
Latitude: -88.6 deg
Longitude: 041 deg

Trajectory:
Periapsis Alt: 19.3 km
Apoapsis Alt: 40.7 km
Period: 111 min

Occultations: 48 minutes
Eclipses: 47 minutes
Propellant Remaining: 11.81 kg