Update #2: On Oct 25, 2018, the MHS (Microwave Humidity Sounder) was commanded to standby mode to perform a table dump, which took longer than usual, likely due to high friction in the drive motor.

On Oct 29, 2018, it was commanded to power-on mode, and it was attempted to bring it back to scan mode, however it entered fault mode instead.

On Oct 30, 2018, the MHS was powered off, and a full power on sequence was attempted, however this failed and the MHS entered fault mode.

On Nov 1, 2018, a sensor swap from A to B was attempted on the MHS, however this failed due to the MHS electronics being switched off.

On Nov 2, 2018, the sensor swap was completed successfully and a power on sequence was attempted, however the MHS still entered fault mode.

As of this time, data is still unusable. An ARB (anomaly review board) Team has been formed and NOAA Engineering continues to investigate this anomaly with EUMETSAT. Our next step is to change to the redundant PIE (processing interface electronics) on Monday November 5, 2018. Further updates will be provided.

Update #1: Engineering investigation is ongoing, no immediate action planned.

Topic: NOAA-18 MHS degraded science data

Date Issued: November 2, 2018 2025Z

Product(s) or Data Impacted: All MHS channels have developed striping

Date/Time of Initial Impact: October 22, 2018 1800Z

Date/Time of End: TBD

Length of Event: TBD

Details/Specifics of Change: At around 1800Z the NOAA-18 reflector drive motor current became irregular causing scan control errors. This resulted in all 5 MHS channels developing channel striping. See the STAR Web site for Global image impact at https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/icvs/status_N18_MHS.php
Problem is being investigated by Engineering.

Contact Information for Further Information: ESPC Help DeskatESPCOperations@noaa.govat301-817-3880

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