Mars Pathfinder Status
The Mars Pathfinder Lander and Microrover Sojourner at JPL's Spacecraft
Assembly Facility
We have completed the first phase of flight system integration and tests
in our Assembly, Test, and Launch Operations (ATLO) program. This was a
kind of a dress rehearsal for the next phase, lasting from January through
July 1996, in which the flight system will undergo formal space qualification
and environmental testing. This includes acoustics, thermal/vacuum, thermal
Mars surface atmosphere, electromagnetic compatibility, pyro shock, and
system tests. The flight system will be fully built by the end of January
1996.
In parallel with ATLO, we are winding up our Entry, Descent, and Landing
(EDL) drop tests and system simulations. The focus is shifting here from
drop tests to checkout of the EDL flight software in our Test Bed and on
the flight system in ATLO.
The Mars Pathfinder Cruise Stage under construction
at the Spacecraft Assembly Facility cleanroom
We remain scheduled to ship the flight system to the Eastern Test Range
as early as possible in August 1996 for final assembly and test, mate, launch
preparations, and launch on December 2, 1996!
--Tony Spear
