During the last 24 hours Chandra continued with GTO observations and passed through the 6th eclipse of the season with expected performance. The current mission schedule load began operation prior to radiation belt entry with an ACIS CTI measurement, maneuver to eclipse attitude and commanding of the eclipse timer in preperation for the 68 minute eclipse starting at 4.01AM 9/30. The current load will continue with GTO observations through 10/2. The spacecraft systems continued to operate nominally.
Analysis of the ACIS calibration data from the last radiation belt passage indicates no further degradation of the energy resolution of the ACIS front-side chips. This passage is the 5th in a row without further degradation. The operational configuration for upcoming belt passages will be established with ACIS in the out-of-focus position, HRC in-focus with door partially closed, and gratings retracted.
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