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Final Cassini Propulsion System In-Flight CharacterizationCassini plunged into Saturn’s atmosphere on September 15, 2017, the culmination of two decades of incredible planetary exploration. The Cassini propulsion system performed spectacularly during this lengthy mission, executing 360 propulsive maneuvers successfully. R-4D performance was impeccable during 183 main-engine burns, ranging from 1.3 seconds to 96 minutes in duration. Pressure transducer drift was negligible, latch valve back-pressure relief was nominal, and pressurization system performance was flawless, except for hard-seat prime regulator leakage early in the mission. System health checks based on helium mass calculations (helium mass budgets) demonstrated no discernible helium pressurant or propellant leakage. Premature degradation of prime MR-103H RCS thrusters was noted, but back-up RCS thrusters completed the mission successfully. Final usable propellant margins were about 25% for hydrazine and less than 1% for bipropellant.
Document ID
20210008576
Acquisition Source
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Barber, Todd J.
Date Acquired
July 9, 2018
Publication Date
July 9, 2018
Publication Information
Publisher: Pasadena, CA: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2018
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Technical Review

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