Feb 23, 2007.

Today, Probes C and B EFI and SCM instruments were turned on and Probe B FGM calibration performed at mid-range. All systems were nominal in current and temperature. The first THEMIS instrument data for EFI and SCM data were played out and looked nominal.

All five probes were de-spun from their initial spin rate of 16-17 RPM down to 11 RPM, in preparation for the upcoming magnetometer boom deployment. This involved firing the radial thrusters for 6 to 7.5 seconds depending upon the initial spin rate. As we expected, each spacecraft wobbled a bit, but telemetry and commanding were unaffected.

All five probes remain in excellent health. Temperatures are very mild on the probes now in their nominal attitude with sun on their side panels. Engineers are continuing data collection and analysis on two technical items. The first item involves the occasional false over-voltage trips in charging circuits and the second involves measuring the command and telemetry link performance. There were no over-voltage-trips today.

Communications with the probes have been very successful with Berkeley Ground Station but not yet with Wallops. Last night we had successful telemetry at 64 KHz at a distance of over 70000 km using Probe B yet we were unable to lock on RF carrier with Wallops just moments earlier.