On 16 March 2012 (Friday) we will perform a sensitive operation on-board the satellite. The satellite has been in normal mode since its launch, transmitting telemetry data continuously ever since. On this Friday we would like to perform long term, sensitive electromagnetic measurements which require the switching of the satellite to silent mode. In silent mode, all RF transmission of the satellite is turned off, the satellite is only on reception. After these experiments regular telemetry transmission will be turned on again.
Planned schedule for 16 March
- at 5.30 UTC the satellite is commanded to silent mode for 5 minutes, then back to normal mode
- at 7.15 UTC the satellite is commanded to silent mode
- at 10.45 UTC the satellite turns back to normal mode
This means that between 8.15 – 11.45 CET the satellite’s transmitters will be turned off intentionally, to prevent the disturbance of sensitive EM measurements. According to the schedule, the satellite will turn back to normal mode automatically.