ATTREX
Date
Middle schoolers explore how NASA utilizes unmanned aircraft and 21st century technology to investigate the Earth’s atmosphere and climate.
3/2 Accomplishments:
A/C landed after an extremely productive science flight of approximately 24 hours
SSFR performed a final instrument calibration
All instruments removed with amazing speed (except MTP which will be removed on Monday)
All instrument teams packed their equipment (except GWAS that will analyze canister samples acquired on the flight)
Largest number of student participants in Mission Tool Suite for Education website of any NASA Airborne Science flight to date (15 classrooms, 352 students)
3/1 Accomplishments:
AV-6 landing gear retraction and a gain in altitude
A/C currently flying @ 4°N, 100°W, approximately 13 hours into ATTREX's last science flight
3/2 Plans:
Recover the a/c and begin instrument removal
2/28 Accomplishments:
Ku system problems were unresolved but the decision was made to proceed with last ATTREX science flight
Instruments re-installed
SSFR calibration complete
A/C preflight underway
3/1 Plans:
Get the aircraft off the ground
Conduct a successful final science flight, destination is the 2.5N, 85W area.
Investigator hands-off @ 02:00, a/c roll-out @ 03:00, engine start @ 05:00, take-off @ 0600.
Instrument teams must have a representative in the GHOC @ 04:45.
2/27 Accomplishments:
A/C landed at approximately 10:20 local time after a 24.4 hour flight
During the flight the Ku system problem was traced to either a High Power Amplifier (HPA) problem or a wave guide problem
NOAA water vapor and O3, UCATS instruments were removed
UCATS experienced an anomaly in their methane and hydrogen signals that they're investigating
GWAS changed cans and has completed their preflight
2/26 Accomplishments:
Despite MPCS modem problems that put us on the verge of canceling the flight the aircraft took off three hours late on our 5th science flight
We experienced Ku satellite communication problems and so had no Ku for the flight (problems on the aircraft are the initial thought)
Due to ambient temperatures along the route that were higher than predicted the aircraft is burning more fuel than expected and will have to turn for home sooner than planned
2/25 Accomplishments:
All instrument problems fixed
All instruments preflighted
A/C preflighted
2/25 Plans:
07:00 Take-off for our 5th science flight (estimated duration of 25 hours)
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