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Solar Conjunction Period

During the period from end of August untill end of September, observations by Mars Express are limited to the Mars Radio Science experiment measurements of the solar corona. After the solar conjunction period, full science activities resume.
• Overall Mission and Payload Status
The commanding of the Mars Express routine science operations through the Payload Operations Service at RAL in the UK is proceeding well, and the corresponding planning is being performed about 10 weeks ahead of the execution of scientific activities. Currently the achieved planning covers the scientific activities to be performed up to November 2004.
• The first period of eclipses has ended, which allows for increased scientific payload activities on the spacecraft. The second eclipse period will start in January 2005 and extend into June 2005. The first occultation period, which was beneficial to radio science measurements, has also ended. The second occultation period will start in December 2004.
• The solar conjunction period is, as expected, currently severely impacting the payload activities. No payload operations are planned between 22 August and 27 September 2004, during the period affecting the spacecraft communications with the ground segment. Only solar corona measurements are being performed by the radio science experiment. Following this period, intense scientific activities will resume, with favourable operating conditions for the optical imaging instruments due to improving illumination conditions.
• No decision on the deployment of MARSIS has been taken yet.
• Upcoming Activities : Around day 290 an opportunity exists to make changes to the current orbit of Mars Express. The SWT will establish the programmatic and scientific need to perform such a manoeuvre.
• Data Archiving Status : The independent Mars Express Science Archive review was held at ESTEC on 12 and 13 July 2004. The payload teams are working towards delivering all relevant scientific products in time for the Mars Express Science Archive to be ready at the beginning of 2005.