Gene, Danny:

Here is the time line for the MEX BSR on day 226 (local time Friday 1:30 AM
to approximately 9 AM).

Except for some 25 kHz FRO activity toward the end of the surface
observations, this should be very relaxed.  There is an option for collecting
1-3/4 hours of telemetry between BOT and the beginning of BSR activities and
another half hour at the end.  I'll leave it to you and the NOPE whether you
pursue these.  The station should NOT change the microwave configuration to
collect telemetry.

During the 'echo' hour we traverse northern plains on Mars.  I would expect
the surface to be fairly smooth and homogeneous, providing good echoes
without much variation -- except for what is provided by the spacecraft
orbit.  For the first 45 minutes, the echo and the carrier are very close;
then the echo starts to move upward, probably broadening and becoming more
difficult to see against the noise background.  We end just a few minutes
before periapsis, when the spacecraft is lowest and moving most quickly.

I'll  plan to call in, but it will probably be toward the end.  If you need
to reach me, try 650-494-9272.

Thanks,
Dick


2009/226 (UTC)
- - - - - - -

08:30  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

10:30  Begin track (X-Band should be 1-way; ranging ON, telemetry ON)

10:49  Apoapsis (spacecraft at greatest altitude above Mars)

12:15  X-Band telemetry OFF; S-Band transmitter ON

12:30  Resume 25 kHz recording

       Ask station to switch to 'planetary' coordinates at 12:35

12:35  Station switch to 'planetary' coordinates

12:37  FRO_X = +23000  (SCHAN 3)
       FRO_S = +24000  (SCHAN 3)

       Begin MINICAL #1

12:44  Begin SLEW #1 (not visible in 25 kHz)

12:52  End MINICAL #1 (end of step 5)

       End SLEW #1

       FRO_X =  -6000 Hz (SCHAN 3)
       FRO_S =      0 Hz (SCHAN 3)

       Begin 100 kHz recordings (SCHAN 4)

       Begin surface reflections
       Expect S-Band echoes to be much weaker than X-Band
       RCP echoes stronger than LCP

13:30  RCP and LCP echoes approximately equal

13:35  FRO_X =      0 Hz (SCHAN 3)

13:46  FRO_X =  +6000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

13:54  FRO_X = +12000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

       LCP echoes definitely stronger than RCP

13:59  Advise station of upcoming MINICAL #2 (starts 14:04)

14:00  FRO_X = +23000 Hz (SCHAN 3)
       FRO_S = +24000 Hz (SCHAN 3)

       End 100 kHz recordings (SCHAN 4)

       Begin SLEW #2 (not visible in 25 kHz)

14:04  Begin MINICAL #2

14:15  Periapsis (spacecraft at lowest Mars altitude; not visible in 25 kHz)

       Advise station of upcoming return to spacecraft coordinates (14:20)

14:19  End MINICAL #2 (end of step 5)

       FRO_X = 0 (SCHAN 3)
       FRO_S = 0 (SCHAN 3)

       Carrier returns to center of passband (as MEX completes slew)

14:20  Return to spacecraft coordinates (pointing)

14:21  End SLEW #2

14:27  X-Band range modulation ON

14:32  X-Band telemetry ON

       S-Band transmitter OFF

       Suspend 25 kHz recordings (SCHAN 3)

15:00  End of track

       Go to zenith

       Begin post-cal when ready

       Resume 25 kHz recordings (SCHAN 3)

16:00  End post-cal (or earlier, if post-cal complete)

       End 25 kHz recordings

       End of Activity