However, imparting even the extremely light magnetic countering force on the rotating spacecraft caused the spacecraft s solar arrays to begin oscillating and the maneuver was stopped. We are totally focused on gaining full control of WIRE and we won t do anything to jeopardize other systems. Watzin said it would take several days to develop this software package. Calif. Ground controllers determined that WIRE was spinning instead of maintaining a stable position in orbit and was warmer than expected. The spacecraft carries frozen hydrogen to cool its instrument.
Controllers believe the hydrogen is venting as it warms up, causing the spacecraft to spin.
Spacecraft controllers do not know what specifically caused the situation. The WIRE team is communicating with the spacecraft. The solar arrays are generating power and the battery is fully charged. We have plenty of power to effect a recovery. The next WIRE update will be released on March 8.