From: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Subject: Mars Observer Update - 08/27/92 (Launch has been postponed)
Followup-To: sci.space
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4   
Keywords:  Mars Observer, JPL, KSC
Reply-To: baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 07:45:50 GMT

Forwarded from Glenn Cunningham, Mars Observer Deputy Project Manager

                          MARS OBSERVER
                 DAILY ACTIVITIES STATUS REPORT
                            FROM THE
      KENNEDY SPACE CENTER/CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION

                      Launch Minus 20 Days

Date of report:     8-27-92        Time of report:     6:00 pm EDT

                [There was no report on 8-26-92]

Two evenings ago, on Tuesday, August 25th, a significant amount of
debris was observed on the nadir panel surfaces of the spacecraft
through the access port in the side of the payload fairing near the
MOLA (Mars Observer Laser Altimeter).  Subsequent investigation also
found debris on the TOS (Transfer Orbit Stage).  A series of
investigative teams have been established to: 1) identify the constituents,
size and distribution of the debris, 2) identify and correct the source
of the debris, 3) assess the mission impacts, and 4) define the cleaning
plans.  These activities involve all members of the project community
from the science instrument people, spacecraft, TOS and to Titan, and
including our KSC support partners.

Investigation of these items is far from complete.  The exact
source of the contaminating debris has not been firmly established.
The contamination may have been introduced into the fairing when a
dry nitrogen purge was placed on the spacecraft as part of the
securing the payload fairing air conditioning for Hurricane Andrew
last Sunday morning.

In addition to this anomaly, TOS had difficulty turning themselves
off during a readiness test last night.  Trouble shooting is
underway on that issue at this time.  The spacecraft is implicated
in this problem.

As a result of these two problems, the Launch Day Dress Rehearsal,
scheduled for Friday, was canceled.

Based on the evidence of the severity of the debris contamination
problem, a decision was made to removed the encapsulated spacecraft
from the Titan and return it to the PHSF (Payload Hazardous Support
Facility) immediately.  The current plan, somewhat contingent on the
conclusion of TOS's trouble shooting, is the transport back to the
PHSF on Friday night.  Access to the spacecraft would them be available
Sunday morning.

The amount of time required to clean the spacecraft and the TOS is
unknown.  The launch has been postponed, and no new launch
readiness date has been established.

A decision relative to holding or postponing the Spacecraft Launch
Readiness Review will be announced tomorrow, Friday.
     ___    _____     ___
    /_ /|  /____/ \  /_ /|     Ron Baalke         | baalke@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
    | | | |  __ \ /| | | |     Jet Propulsion Lab |
 ___| | | | |__) |/  | | |__   M/S 525-3684 Telos | Optimists live longer
/___| | | |  ___/    | |/__ /| Pasadena, CA 91109 | than pessimists.
|_____|/  |_|/       |_____|/                     | 

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