Dec 19 2000
From The Space Library
NASA suspended all of Cassini's observations of Jupiter that required the spacecraft to point to take magnetic-field measurements in order to capture images, after the craft developed a problem with a maneuvering system. NASA permitted Cassini to continue making observations that did not requiring pointing. On 17 December, Cassini's No. 2 reaction wheel had begun to require extra force to turn, prompting the craft to switch from electrical power to a hydrazine-thrusting system, which Cassini needed to conserve for use in its primary Saturn mission. Cassini Program Manager Robert T. Mitchell remarked that, if tests of the maneuvering system were favorable, the craft could begin its observations again in a week to 10 days.
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