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STATUS: 04.03.09

Spacecraft Status

The AIM spacecraft is operating nominally with the exception of the uplink receiver.   We transitioned to autonomous spacecraft operations via the On Orbit Mission Planner or OOMP when we failed to have bit lock for several days.  This enables the spacecraft to continue pointing accurately and meeting the science instrument requirements.  The transition back to command loads is planned for April 5.

Instrument Status
 
The SOFIE instrument continues to perform nominally; and the turn-on and reset RTS's were uploaded to the AIM spacecraft. .
 
V1.022 processing continues without problems, and the data quality remains excellent.  Validation of the first 3 weeks of data in March 2009 is currently underway

Work continues on comparison of SOFIE PMC measurements with 2 models,CARMA and a thermodynamic equilibrium model  The results are being incorporated in a paper for submission to JGR. Analysis of the latest SOFIE V1.022 data to determine PMC particle size is being revisited. The new SOFIE extinctions now extend to higher altitudes and so now do the particle size retrievals, however, treatment of the SOFIE noise threshold is important to prevent anomalous size results.  The paper "High Precision Refraction Measurements by Solar Imaging during Occultation: Results from SOFIE" is being prepared for submission to Applied Optics.

CIPS continues to operate nominally. We are attempting to measure a set of southern hemisphere flat field images for calibration purposes. Because the spacecraft went into autonomy mode on 23 March, our first attempt at the images will only be partially successful. On Saturday, 4 April, we will return to ATS control, at which time we will obtain 2 days (out of 8) of the planned images. The rest of the flat field images will be obtained in mid-April. We are evaluating the feasibility of executing monthly flat field observations while in autonomy mode to ensure continuity of the instrument calibration throughout the extended mission.

On DOY 71 CDE conducted a stim calibration of the instrument.  After the stim, nominal science operation of CDE resumed.

 

AIM Science Team Meeting Photo

The AIM Science Team met at the University of Colorado, Boulder for a Science Team Meeting March 16-19, 2009.

AIM Science Team

 

New Time-Lapse Video of the STS-119 Man-made NLC

View the Space Shuttle Discovery Launch Exhaust trail as it is illuminated by the setting sun. A Noctilucent cloud appeared at above 60-70km.

 

New NASA eClips Video

Night Shining Clouds
NASA eClips
The clip features interview segments with Dr. James M. Russell, AIM's Principal Investigator.

 

See more on our Library's Video and YouTube Pages.

 

Mission Status Archive

Spacecraft & Instrument Status

2022
2022.10.26

2021
2021.10.19
2021.08.17
2021.06.16

2020
2020.11.11
2020.08.28
2020.07.29
2020.05.11
2020.03.28

2019
2019.10.23

2018
2018.01.26

2017
2017.10.27
2017.09.28
2017.06.06
2017.05.11
2017.04.01
2017.03.01
2017.01.26

2016
2016.11.28
2016.08.19
2016.07.29
2016.05.26
2016.04.19
2016.03.08

2015
2015.07.28
2015.06.20
2015.05.16
2015.04.30
2015.03.09

2014
2014.11.17
2014.10.31
2014.10.13
2014.09.25
2014.08.14
2014.06.01
2014.05.03

2013
2013.10.29
2013.05.31

2012
2012.12.10
2012.10.24
2012.09.12
2012.07.20
2012.04.26
2012.02.10

2011
2011.09.24
2011.06.01
2011.05.08
2011.02.15

2010
2010.12.03
2010.11.05
2010.10.01
2010.09.10
2010.08.10
2010.07.01
2010.06.07
2010.04.25
2010.03.18
2010.01.22

2009
2009.11.13
2009.10.13
2009.09.12
2009.08.08
2009.07.17
2009.06.25
2009.05.01
2009.04.03
2009.03.16
2009.03.01
2009.02.10
2009.01.19

2008
2008.12.22
2008.12.05
2008.11.01
2008.10.01
2008.09.03
2008.08.15
2008.08.01
2008.07.11
2008.07.04
2008.06.27
2008.06.20
2008.06.13
2008.06.06
2008.05.30
2008.05.23
2008.05.16
2008.05.09
2008.05.02
2008.04.25
2008.04.18
2008.04.11
2008.04.04
2008.03.28
2008.03.21
2008.03.14
2008.02.07
2008.02.07
2008.02.07

04-25-07 - 02.07.08

Summary Status

Science Status

Spacecraft, Instrument and Science Processing System

 
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The AIM mission is a part of
NASA's Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum.

Responsible Official: James M. Russell III

Web Curator: Emily M. W. Hill
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