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From: baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Newsgroups: sci.space,sci.space.shuttle,sci.astro
Subject: Galileo Update
Message-ID: <2047@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov>
Date: 30 Oct 89 22:39:28 GMT
Sender: news@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov
Reply-To: baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov (Ron Baalke)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA.
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                        GALILEO STATUS UPDATE
                          30 OCTOBER 1989

Galileo is now 2.5 million miles from Earth traveling at 59,845 mph as
it slowly drops in towards the orbit of Venus. Its radio transmitter
is now operating at 30 watts and its propulsion system has been 
operated twice in tests and for maintainence purposes. Galileo's
atmospheric probe has been checked out last week and its condition is
fine.  The spacecraft's ion detector was turned on during the latter
part of the solar flare and has measured heavy ions in the range of
130 million volts, none of which affected Galileo's electronics. On
Wednesday, the spinning of the lower part of the spacecraft where the
optical sensors are mounted will be stopped. At present the whole
spacecraft is spinning at 2.9 revolutions per minute. The top part
of Galileo where controller electronics, power, propulsion, radiation
and magnetic field sensors, and radio attennas are located will
continue spinning for the duration of the mission.


 Ron Baalke                       |    (818) 541-2341 x260
 Jet Propulsion Lab  M/S 301-355  |    baalke@mars.jpl.nasa.gov
 4800 Oak Grove Dr.               |
 Pasadena, CA 91109               |