GSFC XMM GOF Status Report #019: Spacecraft Status

[Martin Still <still@chunky.gsfc.nasa.gov>]

NASA/GSFC XMM GOF
XMM Status Report #019
20 December 1999

Update from the XMM SOC at Vilspa 
<http://xmm.vilspa.esa.es/latest_news.html>:

- XMM is now in its final orbit with an apogee of circa    
  114,000 km and a perigee of circa 7,400 km.

- All sub-systems are in nominal condition.

- The Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) has been    
  calibrated.

- The X-ray telescope doors are open but the internal      
  instrument doors remain closed.

- The Optical Monitor Telescope door is open.

- All scientific instruments are switched-off until        
  04/01/2000, except the Radiation Monitor which is        
  permanently ON and collecting data.

- All Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) activities have  
  been completed. The Spacecraft has been parked in a safe
  constraint-free attitude and will be left idle until     
  January 4, 2000 as a preventive measure against possible 
  Year 2000 problems beyond ESA's control (e.g. Ground     
  power or communications outage).

New year schedule:

04/01/2000: Instrument Commissioning Phase starts.

03/03/2000: Calibration and Performance Verification Phase 
starts.

01/06/2000: Routine Science Operations start.

For news and status updates follow
<http://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/xmm/xmmgof.html>

regards,
	Martin Still 
	for the NASA/GSFC XMM Guest Observer Facility