SpIRIT in-orbit: almost two weeks!

Incredible to realize that SpIRIT has been in orbit for almost two weeks. We are pleased to announce that payload commissioning activities are progressing ahead of schedule. The University of Melbourne Instrument Control Unit (PMS), multi-camera and AI subsystem (Loris), and the low-latency communication subsystem (Mercury), as well as the Italian Space Agency gamma/x-ray detector HERMES have all shown nominal telemetry and passed initial functional testing.

Our team is progressing carefully to complete initial verification of the remaining payload subsystems that have yet to be powered on. SpIRIT is in good health, and we are looking forward to continued positive responses from the spacecraft as the team at MSL gains experience to use payloads in orbit for progressively more complex operations.