Update 3: As of ~0000 UTC July 30, 2019 (DOY 211), the AVHRR motor current has once again started spiking, becoming saturated above 302mA at ~0600 UTC. The instrument is once again no longer producing data and may be stalled. The current plan is to leave the instrument powered as this issue may be intermittent.

Update 2: As of ~2100 UTC July 25, 2019 (DOY 206), the AVHRR motor current has dropped sharply to ~200mA and the instrument has apparently recovered and is once again producing data. Scan motor temp has also dropped and black body counts have returned to normal. The instrument will continue to be monitored for any further changes.

Update 1: As of ~1600 UTC July 25, 2019 (DOY 206), the current remains saturated at 302mA. The instrument has completely stopped producing data at this point, indicating the scan mechanism has totally stalled. The instrument will be left powered on in the hope that it may eventually break free. This anomaly is still under investigation.

Topic: NOAA-15 AVHRR Scan Motor Current Increase Event

Date/Time Issued: July 28, 2019 1835Z

Product(s) or Data Impacted: AVHRR Products

Date/Time of Initial Impact: July 23, 2019 0435Z

Impacts on Users and Significance: AVHRR products are affected.

Date/Time of Expected End: Unknown

Length of Outage: Ongoing

Details/Specifics of Change:

The NOAA-15 AVHRR Scan Motor current began showing signs of instability at approximately 04:00 UTC on July 23, 2019. At about 0435 UTC the current rose sharply to about 302mA where it has remained. Scan motor temperature began rising about the same time and is currently steady at ~26M-0C. Black body temperatures dropped sharply at about the same time. The instrument appears to no longer be producing data.

This behavior is consistent with a scan motor stall, but requires further investigation. Options for recovery are limited.

Contact Information for Further Information: ESPC Operations at ESPCOperations@noaa.gov at 301-817-3880 and/or other contacts as necessary

Web Site(s) for applicable information: N/A

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