Proteus Flight # 179
11 July, 2002

Objectives:  

Underflight of Terra satellite while achieving coincident observations from Proteus and the 
other Project aircraft over the Crystal-Face western ground site.  This was followed by 
contributing to tropical cirrus cloud characterization on lines near the western site.

Summary: 

Proteus takeoff was at 14:33 GMT, underflight of Terra while having measurement coincidence 
with the other aircraft occurred at 16:15 GMT, and landing was at 21:32 GMT.  NAST-I 
performance was nominal and recorded data from 14:58 GMT to 21:03 GMT.  NAST-M recorded data 
between 14:22 GMT and 21:25 GMT; nominal performance was achieved throughout the flight for 
all operational channels; the 425 GHz channels were partially installed prior to this 
flight, with one becoming operational for the first time.  Work on the remaining channels in 
this band will occur after this flight.  FIRSC operated nominally throughout the on period 
from 14:36 to 21:25 GMT.  RSP was powered up at 14:49 GMT and was deactivated at 21:36 GMT, 
and achieved nominal instrument performance throughout this data taking period.  POLDER was 
powered up at 14:35 GMT and was turned off at 21:28 GMT; data were recorded during 15:26 – 
18:24 GMT.