Posted on Mar 13, 2008 12:00:00 AM | Saturn News | 4 Comments
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Todd Barber, Cassini Lead Propulsion Engineer (bio)
Hello again from the other side of Enceladus! I'm happy to report that the engineering teams are very pleased this morning with this historic Enceladus flyby. I attended a 9 am weekly meeting regarding engineering subsystem status, and all engineers reported a very nice flyby. The team includes attitude control, command and data subsystem, power, propulsion, thermal, fault protection, and telecommunications engineers. Our telecom guy brought in some nice pastries from his favorite European bakery to help celebrate another successful Cassini encounter. Just before the meeting, I did manage to find five minutes to look at the latest Enceladus images from the flyby--they're breathtaking! Makes all of the hard work seem more than worthwhile.
We'd love to celebrate this engineering success, but as I mentioned in a prior blog, the show must go on. We did open the main-engine cover successfully last night, which is vital for today's main-engine maneuver. Around 5:30 pm PDT, as seen on the third rock from the sun, Cassini will fire its main engine for about seventeen seconds. So, as our science teams digest a treasure trove of new data, the engineering teams are looking forward to a thrilling Titan low-altitude flyby in a few weeks. This friendly give-and-take between science and engineering isn't always easy, but it's truly wonderful how the teams support each other and pull off things that seem impossible. I'm honored to be a part of this world-class team, and I thank you for your continued support of Cassini!
4
On Mar 14, 2008 09:09:21 PM
d.wilson
added a comment on your blog post.
such good guidance !
3
On Mar 16, 2008 12:15:59 AM
Jamie Dillon
added a comment on your blog post.
Todd, these blogs are a great idea from our vantage point - fun to read, vivid, giving your readers a sense of riding along. Plus it's interesting to see how well you scientists and engineers write with minimal drafts! Seeing that you're a singer and an amateur astronomer, you have kindred souls out here. Thanks a whole lot.
2
On Mar 13, 2008 10:53:21 PM
J Bonner
added a comment on your blog post.
Congratulations!
1
On Mar 13, 2008 11:34:14 PM
bud cohan
added a comment on your blog post.
ok ok ok , i'm gonna be honest with you, i have been on cloud 9 all week since coming upon this blog site,the whole flyby thing is so exciting but what really puts a double cherry on top are the blogs, the level of excitment is felt in every word and that excites anyone who read the blogs, plus the BIG fact is that we are getting the information from THE person, not someone from cnn reporting it, we are talking from THE main person in that dept., it's just so neat that you all take the time to do the blogs. I will go ahead and let you go, and remember .......we are waiting "Thank-you"
Todd Barber, Cassini Lead Propulsion Engineer (bio)
such good guidance !
Todd, these blogs are a great idea from our vantage point - fun to read, vivid, giving your readers a sense of riding along. Plus it's interesting to see how well you scientists and engineers write with minimal drafts!
Seeing that you're a singer and an amateur astronomer, you have kindred souls out here. Thanks a whole lot.
Congratulations!
ok ok ok , i'm gonna be honest with you, i have been on cloud 9 all week since coming upon this blog site,the whole flyby thing is so exciting but what really puts a double cherry on top are the blogs, the level of excitment is felt in every word and that excites anyone who read the blogs, plus the BIG fact is that we are getting the information from THE person, not someone from cnn reporting it, we are talking from THE main person in that dept., it's just so neat that you all take the time to do the blogs. I will go ahead and let you go, and remember .......we are waiting "Thank-you"