At-sea operational qualification tests, using boilerplate 29 to simulate spacecraft 009, were completed. All mechanical system components performed satisfactorily, except for the recovery flashing light.

Test results were:

1. uprighting system - during the first mission cycle, the vehicle was uprighted in three minutes, during the second, in two minutes;
2. VHF antenna deployment - the antennas were in the erect position when the test started. Communication was achieved with a fly-by plane;
3. the sea dye marker canister deployed as expected when the HF was erected; and
4. the recovery flashing light was deployed before the test started; when switched on the light did not flash. Post-test analysis indicated a water-short in the wiring installed by MSC.