scope:

Description of Driving Event:

After launch it was observed that the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instrument was running hotter than normal. The design calls for active louvers to open to radiate heat and bring the instrument baseplate temperature to within design limits. A review of the procedures used in building the spacecraft indicates the louvers were removed after Thermal Vacuum testing and reinstalled as a "Non-flight / Temporary mechanical installation" for fit check purposes. The connector was not mated at this time. A subsequent decision was made to leave the louvers in place but no notation of the lack of electrical connection was made. There was a procedure run prior to shipment, which is used to verify the mate status of every accessible connector on the spacecraft. This connector was not on the list. The NOAA-K satellite was flown with the thermal louver cable disconnected.