Although there were a few operational problems encountered on the second flight, all project and instrument PI's on the P3-B indicated they were "mission ready".  Some exceptions are detailed later in this update.   

The flight Saturday  was a five hour flight that started at 3:00pm Local time to provide OH and actinic flux background measurements during the night portion of the flight.  Flight altitudes were between 500 and 20,000 ft.  Maneuvers were conducted to support the TAMMS calibrations with an extended constant speed leg at 20,000 ft.

At the expense of 150 lbs. of air conditioner added to the cargo area, Kondo's NO2 converter temperature was maintained within the desired operating temperature with ample reserve and  NO2 measurements were successfully recorded for the first time on the third flight.   

There are some exceptions to the general success of instrument operations. 

1.        Final installation of Clarke's FSSP probe will be on 20feb01, checked out on the ground and an engineering check flight (ECF) performed on 21feb01.   

2.        The initial installation of the satcom antenna up forward on the P3-B was unsatisfactory for either sending or receiving voice communications on the second flight.  The antenna had been relocated midway on the aircraft, but the total installation could not be completed before the third flight.  A technician from the manufacture of the satcom system will be at WFF on 20feb01 to perform a final installation check.  It will be tested during the ECF.

3.  A small fin will be added to the back of Vay's CO2 probe to eliminate a vibration that occurs at certain aircraft speeds on 20feb01 and be tested during the scheduled ECF.   All PI "blue boxes" are scheduled to be ready for loading on the C130 on Tuesday, 20feb01.