Mariner 9 data storage subsystem flight performance summary

The performance is summarized of the Mariner 9 Data Storage Subsystem (DSS) throughout the primary and extended missions. Information presented is limited to reporting of anomalies which occurred during the playback sequences. Tables and figures describe the anomalies (dropouts, missing and added bits, in the imaging data) as a function of time (accumulated tape passes). The data results indicate that the performance of the DSS was satisfactory and within specification throughout the mission. The data presented is taken from the Spacecraft Team Incident/Surprise Anomaly Log recorded during the mission. Pertinent statistics concerning the tape transport performance are given. Also presented is a brief description of DSS operation, particularly that related to the recorded anomalies. This covers the video data encoding and how it is interpreted/decoded by ground data processing and the functional operation of the DSS in abnormal conditions such as loss of lock to the playback signal.