Gene, Danny:

Here is the time line for the MEX BSR on day 178 (early Saturday morning
PDT).  I'm not sure what to expect in the first 85 minutes after BOT; but
starting at 13:25 I think it's sound.

I would expect good echoes immediately before and after Valles Marineris; the
rest is new ground.

I'll plan to call in, but can't predict a schedule.  If you need to reach me,
the number to call is 650-494-9272.

Thanks,
Dick


2009/178 (UTC)
- - - - - - -

09:45  Begin Pre-cal at DSS 14
       FGAIN = 60 dB (all channels, including X-RCP)
       FRO_X = 0; FRO_S = 0 (all SCHAN)
       Start 4-channel 25 kHz recordings after Step 4
       Stop 25 kHz recording after Step 18

12:00  Begin track (X-Band and S-Band signal status not known)

12:26  X-Band Tx ON (time not certain because of DKF errors)

13:25  S-Band Tx ON

13:40  Resume 25 kHz recording (SCHAN 3)

13:45  Request station prepare to switch to "planetary coordinates" at 14:00

13:58  Begin SLEW #1

14:00  Station switch to planetary coordinates

14:05  FRO_X = +22000 Hz (SCHAN 3)
       FRO_S = +23000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

14:06  Begin MINICAL #1

14:21  End MINICAL #1 (end of Step 5)

14:22  FRO_X = +13000 Hz (SCHAN 3)
       FRO_S =  -3000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

       Begin 100 kHz recordings (SCHAN 4)

       End SLEW #1

       Begin surface reflections
       Specular track starts in Alba Patera

       Expect S-Band echoes to be weaker than X-Band
       Expect RCP and LCP echoes to have similar strengths throughout

14:42  FRO_X =  +7000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

14:46  FRO_X =  +1000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

       Enter Valles Marineris

14:48  Exit Valles Marineris

14:49  FRO_X =  -5000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

14:51  FRO_X =  -9000 Hz (SCHAN 3)
       FRO_S =  -8000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

14:52  Pericenter

14:53  FRO_X = -14000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

14:55  FRO_X = -19000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

14:58  FRO_X = -25000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

15:00  FRO_X = +22000 Hz (SCHAN 3)
       FRO_S = +23000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

       End 100 kHz recordings (SCHAN 4)

       Begin MINICAL #2

15:15  End MINICAL #2

       End of track
       Begin moving antenna to stow
       Begin post-cal when ready

16:15  End post-cal (or earlier, if post-cal complete)

       End 25 kHz recordings

       End of Activity