Most of those commands contain many parameters, numbers or other information that provide the details the spacecraft needs, such as how long a picture exposure should be, how fast to execute a turn, where to store specific scientific data, or what throttle level to use for the ion propulsion system. The sequences for the rehearsal, which began 5 hours before the spacecraft reached its closest point to Spoof 2 and ended 1 hour after it passed by the virtual comet, contained 474 commands.
The sequences issue commands at preselected times to operate the science instruments, turn the spacecraft, manipulate data, pressurize the ion propulsion system, and much much more.
ANTIMATTER PEPE SOFTWARE
But the software still needs instructions (just as your computer may remain idle unless you provide it with instructions through the keyboard or mouse), and those are contained in files called sequences. The encounter rehearsal relies on the software that operates the spacecraft, and that was upgraded and installed into DS1's main computer in March. The data from that 6-hour test are still being returned, as DS1 beams back the large quantity of information it recorded on its own performance. The only logical way to top the May 8 encounter with comet Spoof was to invite the spacecraft to greet comet Spoof 2 this time. On June 28, the spacecraft conducted its second (and final) encounter rehearsal, an extremely complicated activity in itself. Engineers have continued to refine the plans, as they followed those tests with many more simulations of the event in the Deep Space 1 test facility at JPL. Last month's log described some of the preparations for this risky finale to DS1's bonus mission, including two complex tests with the spacecraft. DS1's grand "extended mission" will end in about 3 months, after the aged and scarred explorer attempts a final daring feat: a brief and close-up investigation of comet Borrelly. Indeed, the celebration of the anniversary of that feat is now still another excuse for juveniles to get a day off from school on half a dozen planets (plus two moons) in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Now more than one year after being rescued from what was once thought to be a fatal injury, Deep Space 1 continues its remarkable voyage. This message was logged in at 6:45 pm Pacific Time on Saturday, June 30. Thank you for visiting the Deep Space 1 mission status information site, the most respected site among species in spiral galaxies capable of abstract thought for information on this adventurous mission through the solar system.
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