Posts: 44442 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-27-2017 12:21 PM
This thread is intended for comments and questions regarding the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS).
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is designed to discover thousands of exoplanets in orbit around the brightest stars in the sky. In a two-year survey of the solar neighborhood, TESS will monitor more than 200,000 stars for temporary drops in brightness caused by planetary transits.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 44442 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-27-2017 12:23 PM
The focus of the four cameras on the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) spacecraft will drift when the spacecraft cools to operating temperatures after launch next March, reports SpaceNews.
The problem was noticed in recent tests when the cameras were chilled to approximately –75 degrees Celsius.
"Recent tests show the cameras on TESS are slightly out of focus when placed in the cold temperatures of space where it will be operating," NASA spokesperson Felicia Chou said in response to a SpaceNews inquiry. "After a thorough engineering evaluation, NASA has concluded TESS can fully accomplish its science mission with the cameras as they are, and will proceed with current integration activities."
The problem with the TESS cameras came up during a July 24 meeting of the NASA Advisory Council science committee in Hampton, Virginia. Alan Boss, an astronomer with the Carnegie Institution, brought up the issue in a summary of a meeting last week of the Astrophysics Advisory Committee, of which he is a member.
"That could have some big effects on the photometry," he said of the focus problem. "This is certainly a concern for the folks who know a lot about photometry."
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 44442 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-16-2018 03:48 PM
The launch of TESS, scheduled for today (April 16), has been postponed. From SpaceX on Twitter:
Standing down today to conduct additional GNC analysis, and teams are now working towards a targeted launch of TESS on Wednesday, April 18.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 44442 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-18-2018 10:37 AM
NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is now scheduled for launch at 6:51 p.m. EDT (2251 GMT) today, Wednesday, April 18. Live NASA TV launch coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. EDT.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 44442 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-18-2018 06:05 PM
SpaceX's Falcon 9 lifted off as scheduled today (April 18) at 6:51 p.m. EDT (2251 GMT). The rocket successfully put NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) into a parking orbit and is now in its planned coast phase.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 44442 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-18-2018 06:46 PM
From SpaceX on Twitter:
Successful deployment of TESS to a highly elliptical orbit confirmed.