Update #1:  The Metop-B HIRS was placed into High Power mode on May 28, 2020 (20/149) at 1526 UTC.  The Filter Motor current rose to 446mA before stabilizing at ~430mA, where it has remained.  The Filter Motor still appears to be stalled.  Options for recovery include toggling the Filter Motor on/off every orbit as we have done with success on NOAA-15/18 but are otherwise limited.  This effort is planned to start early next week, week of June 1. 

Topic:  Metop-B HIRS Filter Wheel Current Increase Event

Date/Time Issued: May 29, 2020 1836 UTC

Product(s) or Data Impacted:  HIRS Products

Date/Time of Initial Impact:  May 27, 2020 2240 UTC

Impacts on Users and Significance:  HIRS products are affected.

Date/Time of Expected End:  Unknown

Length of Outage:  Ongoing

Details/Specifics of Change:

The Metop-B HIRS Filter Wheel Motor current began showing signs of instability at approximately 2137 UTC on May 27, 2020.  At 2143 UTC it saw a large spike in current up to 476mA, then dropped to about 270mA, where it remained until 2240 UTC.  At that point, it spiked again to 418mA before ramping down to ~380mA where it has remained since.  The Filter Wheel Motor Temperature has since stabilized at ~30°.

This behavior is consistent with a filter wheel stall, but requires further investigation.  Options for recovery include putting the instrument into High Power mode but are otherwise 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