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STARDUST Update - January 23, 1998


                           STARDUST Status Report
                              January 23, 1998

                                 Ken Atkins
                          STARDUST Project Manager

The Structural Thermal Model Sample Return Capsule shock test was competed
and it is being configured for the drop test (10,000 ft from balloon) early
next month.

The flight C&DH (Command & Data Handling subsystem) completed the thermal
vacuum testing and is now in thermal cycling through the weekend.

Low Gain Antennas were delivered to System Assembly and Test Process (ATLO)

The propulsion subsystem functional test has been completed.

Resolution of Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) problems (leakage and Y axis
noise) continues to be top priority at Honeywell and Lockheed-Martin. Weld
verification is in progress and an aluminum valve body and soft cap seal are
being fabricated for test next week. Alternatives to the baseline viton lid
seal are still being investigated.

The star camera protoflight unit was successfully shock tested at JPL with
the existing three-point support. This success effectively removes further
potential roadblocks to moving to flight unit production. Light at the end
of the tunnel.....no more opposing "trains."

Interface testing on the Cometary and Interstellar Dust Analyzer (CIDA)
Engineering Model (EM) was completed in the Spacecraft Test Lab (STL).
Commands were sent and received and data was transferred from CIDA .
However, there was a problem with the interface card (PACI) "hanging" and
requiring re-set. The cause is under investigation. A physical fit check was
conducted (both the sensor and the EM) and found to be satisfactory. The
sensor, electronics and wrapped cable were weighed and indications are that
it is less than the predicted. Good News! This testing represents a
significant milestone in getting interface testing done in an "end-to-end"
environment on all the active science elements of the mission: Dust Flux
Monitor, NavCam and, now, CIDA.

Qual solar array deploy and retract ("walk-out") tests were completed with
and without springs.

For more information on the STARDUST mission - the first ever comet sample
return mission - please visit the STARDUST home page:

http://stardust.jpl.nasa.gov/