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65-/o 922
j NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION W() 2-41XJ
WASHINGTON, D.C 20546 TELS. WO l
-
W W- FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY
November 21, 1965
RELEASE NO: 65-355
R PROJECT: isis-x
S w
Title
CONTENTS
Page
GENERAL RELEASE---------------------------------1-4
Background---------------------------------------5
DME-A Added to Mission-----------------------6-7
Ionospheric Conditions-----------------------8
Variety of Disturbances-----------------------9-10
Disrupt Radio--------------------------------10-11
Topside Technique Valuable--------------------11
Should Improve Forecasts----------------------12
Alouette Spacecraft------------------------------13
Alouette II Experiments--------------------------14
Fifth Experiment--------------------------i4-15
K
The Topside Sounder---------------------------15
Cosmic Noise---------------------------------16
Whistlers Experiments---------------- --------16
Particle Detectors------------------- --------17
Particle Measurements-------------------------17-18
Alouette II Modifications------------------------18-19
Frequency Limits Changed----------------------19-20
Alouette I and II Comparisons--------------------21-25
Alouette I Experiments------------------------21
Alou.ette II Experiments-----------------------22
Alouette I Instrumentation--------------------23
T
Alouette II Instrumentation-------------------24
Orbits---------------------------------------25
The Direct Measurements Explorer (DKE-A)
Spacecraft------------------------------------26-27
Attitude Control---------------------------------27-28
DME-A Experiments--------------------------------28-30
TO BE LAUNCHED NO EARLIER THAN NOV. 23
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NE WS NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546
TELS.
WO 3-6925
FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY
November 21, 1965
RELEASE NO: 65-355
DOUBLE LAUNCHING
SET FOR CANADIAN,
NASA SATELLITES
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than realized.
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The DME-A was designed and built for the NASA Goddard
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The Goddard center will track both satellites during
tions.
scientific community.
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BACKGROUND
from the Western Test Range Sept. 29, 1962, was the first satel-
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DME-A Added to Mission
In line with the overall aims of the ISIS program to con-
Came orbit.
will remain within 1,000 miles of each other for the first
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Because both ionospheric temperatures and composition vary
to explore these variations from near the peak of the most dense
orbits.
trons vary from 800 to 4000 degrees above absolute zero, but
phere.
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Ionospheric Conditions
Some of the radiation directed from the Sun towards the Earth
of ionospheric disturbances.
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Variety of Disturbances
solar particles.
zones only during quiet conditions and then only on rare oc-
casions.
ionosondes).
by solar particles.
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The effect on communications is a complete
cessation of
radio sky-wave transmissions at high
frequencies due to ab-
sorption in the D-region of the ionosphere.
Disrupt Radio
Sudden ionospheric disturbances (SIDs)
also cause loss of
communications, producing abrupt and
simultaneous radio fade-
out throughout the hemisphere which
may last from 10 minutes
to an hour.
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; . . -
An ionospheric storm is usually accompanied
by a magne-
tic storm, a period of unusual fluctuation
in terrestrial mag-
netic intensity.
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ALOUETTE SPACECRAFT
Two short electron probe rods extend from the base of the
spacecraft.
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ALOUETTE II EXPERIMENTS
range.
Fifth Experiment
dipole.
effect.
over the frequency range foom 0.2 to 13.5 megacycles. The time-
delay versus sounding-frequency information will be transmitted
Cosmic Noise
Whistlers Experiment
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Particle D)ctectors
Particle detectors in the sounder payload will measure
one
of the causative agents of ionization in the polar
ionosphere
at the same time and place as their effects. This experiment
will measure primary cosmic ray partic3es outside
the Earth's
atmosphere, including the electrons, protons and alpha
particles.
Particle Measurements
The primary objective of the NASA Langmuir probe experiment
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4
Because of the uncertainty of the affects of the long
ALOUETTE II MODIFICATIONS
solar activity with the orbit ranging from 270 to 1620 statute
miles.
ciency about 40 per cent during its first year in orbit due to
radiation damage.
year for Alouette II, the solar cells have been changed to a more
diameter beryllium copper tubes and are both lighter and longer.
The telemetry transmitters also were designed and manufactured
by Canadian industry.
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Alouette I Experiments
Ionospheri Sounder
Frequency coverage 0.5 Mc/s to 11.5 Mc/s
Transmitter power 100 watts
Transmitter pulse width 100 microseconds
Pulse repetition frequency 66 pps
Frequency sweep rate 1 Mc/s/s
VLF
Receiver, untuned 400 c/s to 10 Kc/s
Cosmic Noise
Energetic Particle
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Alouette II Exioerirnents
lonoOSDher~i'c Sounder
Freaucnc~y cover~.age 0,2 Mc/s to 13.5 Mc/S
TransmnIttber' power 300 watts
TrAasnsitter pulse width 100 microseconds
Pulse repet-itIlor fPr'quency 33 pps
Frequency 3weep rate 0.15 Mc/s/s between 0.2 and2 Mc/'
Alouette I Instrumentation
Attitude Sensing Single axis magnetometer
Thermistors
Tracking Beacon 50 mW
Telemetry 2W FM 100 Kc/s bandwidth
and 75 ft.
Telemetry and Command: Turnstile
whips
Tracking Beacon: 1/4 wave whip
Power 6480 p-on-n type Solar Cells:
Ni-Cd batteries
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Alouette II Instrumentation
Attitude Sensing 3 axis magnetometer
Thermistors
Solar Aspect sensor
Tracking Beacon 100 mW
Telemetry 4 W FM 100 Kc/s bandwidth
2 subcarriers
2 W PAM/FW/PM 50 Kc/s bandwidth
4 subcarriers
Command 24 basic commands
Antennas Sounder: crossed dipoles 240 ft.*
and 75 ft.
Telemetry and Command: turnstile
whips
* Note that the sounder's long antenna has been increased from 150
to 240 feet.
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et.4
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Orbits
Inclination 80.50
Apogee 642 statute miles
Perigee 617 statute miles
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_ _ _
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located.
Solar cells cover about 15 per cent of the spacecraft's surface. The
The eight experiments, the transmitter and some of the telemetry will
receive power from a main converter. The command system has separate
converters, one powered from the solar cell array for use when the
satellite is in the sunlight, the other from the battery for use when in
the dark.
All data acquisition is in real time and on command only. About two
hours of data transmission each day are anticipated. Program timers auto-
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) - -- - - -
modes, one with all experiments working simultaneously, the other with
ATTITUDE CONTROL
spin rate at three revolutions per minute and to maintain the spin axis
rather than gas jet controls, which would have a short useful life on a
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Correctinp the spacecraft's attitude will be done by ground command.
Since the orbital plane will precess in space about one degree per
day, the spin axis can be constantly maintained within an angle of five
(DC) voltages that are fed to DC power amplifiers which energize the electro-
DME-A EXPERIMENTS
close proximity.
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positive ions.
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measure the total flux of electrons in the range 107 to 10- /cmP see
to measure the total flux of electrons in the range 102 to 107/cm see
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The satellite controller for Alouet;te II will operate from
DF{TE, assisted by personnel under contract from Computing De-
vices of Canada.
personnel.
the NASA 100 pulses per second 36 bit time code format. In ad-
dition, voice announcements of the date, time, and station
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THOR-AGENA LAUNCH VEHICLE
The Agena, perhaps the most versatile upper stage space vehicle in use,
craft and perform the separation functions is attached to the forward end
After Agena has obtained the necessary altitude and velocity for the
two spacecraft it carries, its job has just begun. Before separation of
spin up the Alouette to 165 rpm. When all this is accomplished, Agena
After Alouette-II is safely off and the spintable has slowed down,
the Agcna must separate the support petals to make room for injection
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two spacecraft will. not co'lld': and yet remain in close proximity of each
necessary maneuver, the vehicle rolls at tour rpm and separates the
DMvI-A spacecraft.
After separation of the Dtff-A, the Agent must change its altitude to
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BOOSTER AGENA
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tI..
For the first minute and a half the flight trajectory is mintained by
the Thor autopilot. After that the WECO guidar.cc system, in conjunction
thrust pitch and yaw control by thrust vectoring and the vernier. eagines
provide roll control. During the nine-second vernier solo perlod, the
Main engine cutoff (MECO) occurs about 150 seconds after liftoff.
Agena primary sequence timer and the Agena. velocity meter. Both of these
adjustments are the final corrections necessary to ensure that Agena will
attain the desired orbit. VECO occurs some nine neconde after MFCO. The
After the boouter has rallen away, the eenn rti ight. ;ihute berino a
desired orbit and (2) to orient, spinup and inlect each spacecraft into
orbit '±t the correct time and with the prorter teearntion velociLy toimeet.
exneriment requirrements.
After a f1irst r'ant of Some 25 seccids, Agena begins its first
htl'1n. This l'-ts nbout 230 seconds nathough actual enRine cutoff is
: eornwand-t' 1., .:w A'lm(!ntL velocity meter when the vehicle has gained the;
required velocity.
.3 The second coast lasts some .2 minutes durinp which the vehicle
I - circles half vayfaround the globe. Socond burn lasts about 1P seconds, J
but again, the extac duration is determined by the Mgen velocity meter.
After the engine is cut oftf, Agea's secondary sequence timer is started.
To properly align the pfr axsof Alonette trfi Agn must so.
[and wthin two seaonds, the Alouette in spn upetO Agte of some 16go
petals around the IMP-A spacecraft. The Aena secondary sequence timer
then initiates the second yaw maneuver to insure that the final orbits of
the two spacecraft are not too widely separated. This timer also stSts
at [
the Agena roll maneuver wh$qh spineahe DME-A up to about four rpm. Ten
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4 *AL
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Ageia Poes through a final pitch maneuver to minimize the
data.
The Point Arguello and Point Mugu radars will track the
launch vehicle until loss of signal over the the radio frequency
horizon. The radar on San Nicolas Island will track the Agena B
vation angle of about three degrees above the horizon and ap-
belt, Md.
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Af'tr the Agrena first-burn injection conditions are re-
that station.
ETR will track the Agena during its second burn period--
ing near the limits of its range and elevation but will be
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POST-LAUNCH SEQUENCE
Seconds after
Eveni, Lif'toff
MEET, 150
V.ECO 160
NASA Headquarters:
and Applications,
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Igrams., OSSAF.a
Operations.
Systems.
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Evart D. Nelsen, ISlS-X ProJoct Marnager, Space Sciences
Division.
Division.
Division.
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Dr. . A. Yvanklin is responsible, with his Space Elec-
Project Manager.
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BEACON
ANTENNA
AGENA STATION
NO. 136.36
LOCATION OF /
SOUNDING ANTENNAS
(4 PLACES, 900 APART) SHROUD
ALLOUETTE-OB.
MARMAN CLAMP
\ \ \ =5ANTENNA (4)
ELECTROSTATIC PROBE
(2 PLACES, IeO°APART)
\ \ \ /ALOUETTE-B
ION MASS ANALYZER
ELECTROSTATIC PROE
IN FOLDED POSITION SEPARATION RING
(2, 1800 APART
OME -A
SEPARATION SPRING
SPIN BEARING \-
\ <\ - tD ME - A
AGENA STATION
NO. 244.50 SPACECRAF r ADAPl ER
-z AGENA
IsIs-x
Alouette-B Spacecraft (Cutaway View)
Artist's Conception of Final Configuration of the DME-A Spocecroft