Conversation

Starting my 4th test of new settings for my High-Gain Antenna deadband. I will do a ~4.5-hour readout of my Attitude and Articulation Control Subsystem, & Deep Space Network Canberra will monitor signal dropouts. The new settings allow my antenna to drift slightly more to save thruster firings. If I drift from the proper orientation more than a certain angle (the deadband), the Attitude and Articulation Control Subsystem issues commands that fire some of my 16 attitude control thrusters (small hydrazine jets) to bring me back into proper orientation. A larger deadband means thrusters are fired fewer times, reducing fuel residue buildup in narrow pipes that feed hydrazine into the thrusters. The price to pay is in data loss as the signal drops out at Earth because the antenna is no longer pointed close enough to the Earth.