Spacecraft Anomaly Manager

The newest version of the SAM data base covering reports between 1983 and 1992 is currently available.

The database includes the date, time, location, and other pertinent information about incidents of spacecraft operational irregularity due to the environment. These events range from minor operational problems to permanent spacecraft failures. The data base includes spacecraft anomalies in interplanetary space and in near-earth orbit but the main component comes from geostationary spacecraft.

The data base is maintained on an IBM compatible personal computer in a dBase III+ type file. To facilitate access to the information, custom software has been written for managing, displaying and analyzing the contents. Satellite operators can use SAM to create a data base containing only their particular satellite's anomalies and forward the data to us on floppy disk for inclusion in the archive. Such users are entitled to free software and updates!

SAM also includes two important functions to test anomaly collections for environmental relationships. Histograms of local time, and seasonal frequency show distinct patterns for spacecraft susceptible to static charge build-up and subsequent discharge.

Contact Dan Wilkinson for further information and ordering.