ERSO Press Kit

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS ANDSPACE ADMINISTRATIONWashington, D. C. 20546Phone: (202) 755-8370

FOR RELEASE:Howard G. Allaway FRIDAY AM s(Phone: 202/755-3680) March 3, 1972Kenneth Senstad (GSFC)(Phone: 301/982-5566)RELEASE NO: 72-43

ESRO SPACECRAFT TO BE LAUNCHED BY NASA

The largest and most advanced scientific spacecraftever built in Western Europe, the European Space ResearchOrganization's (ESRO) Thor-Delta 1Z (TD-lA), will belaunched by the National Aeronautizs and Space Adminis-tration on board a thrust-augmented, two-stage Deltarocket no earlier than March 8 from the Western TestRange, Lompoc, Calif.

The box-shaped, 472-kilogram (1,038-pound) spacecraftcarries seven unique scientific experiments, weighing145 kilograms (320 pounds). They were provided by sixEuropean universities an.: -.esearch organizations tostudy high energy emissions from stel2ar and galacticsources and the Sun not visible to Earth-bound observatories.

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In the planned circular orbit of 550 kilometers(340 statute miles), the experiment sensors will be ableto observe ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gammarays unhindered by the blanketing and absorbing effect

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of the Earth's atmosphere. Data obtained should provideSinsights into fundamental problems of cosmology, such

.as the evolution of the universe and the turbulentenvironment of interstellar and intergalactic space.

SFour of the seven experiments will scan the sky tostudy emissions from stars and galactic sources with

.- various degrees of spectral and directional precision.Of the remaining three, two are designed to measure

_ .. regions of the high-energy X-ray spectrum of the Sun,and one will measure composition of primary particles ofScosmic and solar origin as well as proton fluxes.

To accomplish these objectives, TD-lA will be placedin a high inclination -- 97 degrees -- sun-synchronousorbit which will allow operation fo r about 230 days before

* it enters the Earth's shadow.SESRO vill reimburse NASA for the cost of the Delta

vehicle and the launch as well as related pre-launch andSsupport services.

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For the first time on a European-built spacecraft,TD-1A will employ a three-axis stabilization system whichwill permit directional viewing by the scientific experi-ments. The system will also enable the solar panels topoint at the Sun for adequate electrical power to operatethe spacecraft.

This will be the sixth scientific spacecraft launchedby NASA for ESRO. The latest, HEOS 2, was launchedJanuary 31, this year, from the Western Test Range.Other spacecraft in the program were: IRIS, launchedMay 17, 1968; Aurorae, launched October 3, 1968; HEOS 1,December 5, 1968; HEOS 1, December 5, 1968, and BOREAS,October 1, 1969.

ESRO member nations are Belgium, Denmark, FederalSRepublic of Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands,Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Once in orbit, TD-1A will be tracked by EuropeanSpace Tracking (ESTRACK) stations in Belgium, Spitzbergen,Alaska and the Falkland Islands, supported by a Norwegianstation located at Tromso.

The mission will be controlled from the European SpaceOperations Center (ESOC) located at Darmstadt, FederalRepublic of Germany.

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During launch and early orbit phases of the mission,additional tracking support will be provided by stationsof the world-wide NASA Spaceflight Tracking and DataNetwork (STDN) operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center,Greenbelt, Md.

ESRO project management for the TD-'` spacecraft ischarged to the European Space Research and TechnologyCenter (ESTEC), Noordwijk, the Netherlands. Primecontractor for the spacecraft is the French firm EnginsMatra, Velizy, France, aided by four European firms.

NASA project management fo r the mission and the Deltalaunch rocket is charged to the Goddard Space FlightCenter. Overall NASA program management is under theOffice of Space Science, NASA Headquarters, Washington,D.C.

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The 4 72 -kilogram (l,038-pound) TD-lA is the largestand most advanced scientific spacecraft ever built in

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uWestern Europe. It is also the first European-builtpacecraft with a three-axis stabilization system,permitting directional viewing of the scientific experi-ents. This system will permit a complete scan of thecelestial sphere by the experiments in a six-month period.iThe box-like main structure, 980 millimeters (38.6 inches)by 2,158 mii s (5 inches), resembles a largeefrigerator. It is divided into two sections, the smallerwillbottom section contains all of the pacecraft electronicsoind other sub-systems, while the top section contains

Equipment and epe i tents in both sections are mountedn shelves or the spacecraft walls.fpe-Attached to the sides of the TD-IA are two large

Uited Kingdom, and Fiat of Italy. uian ^ ;

solar panels which are deployed when orbit is achieved. Also deployed after orbital injection is a 2 . 7 -meter,(106.3-inch) omnidirectional antenna fixed to the bottomof the spacecraft.The most unique engineering feature of the space-Scraft is its attitude control system. It is designedto maintain one axis point at center of the Sun with anccuracy of better than one minute of arc. The system,

consisting of Sun and Earth sensors, reaction wheels,yroscopes, argon gas jets and control electronics,will provide fo r the spacecraft to be rolled about theun-point axis once each orbit, thus insuring that experi-ment sensors except those for solar radiation will alwayspoint away from the Earth.The TD-lA was built by five European firms withFrench firm Engins Matra, as prime contractor. Otherfinns involved include Erno Raumfahrttechnik of Germany,Saab-Scania of Sweden, Hawker Siddeley Dynamics of theUnited Kingdom, and Fiat of Italy.

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ments of X-rays, ga.ma rays, an d cosmic rays. Theexperiments were Provided by six European universities

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TD-1A EXPERIMENTS AND INVESTIGATORSThe sever, scientific experiments on board TD-lAare designed to carry out pioneering studies of emissionsfrom stars and galaxies as well as detailed measure-ments of X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays. Theexperiments were provided by six European universitiesand scientific organizations. Scientific results fromTD-1A are expected to provide new insights into theevolution of the universe and the little-understoodhigh energy forces controlling it.

. Ultraviolet Spectral Telescope. This large,3 0-centimeter-diameter (11.7-inch) telescope will studyultraviolet emissioas from stars and galaxies in the regionof 1,000 to 3,000 Angstroms. The telescope is fixed withrespect to the spacecraft, and consists of a spectrometerequipped with photomultipliers. The experiment wasprovided by the University of Liege, Belgium, and theUnited Kingdom Science Research Council. Co-investigatorsare Mr. C. Jamar of the University of Liege and Mr. P. J.Barker of the Science Research Council.,

Ultraviolet Stellar Spectrometer. This Cassegrain-Stype telescope system and spectrophotometer will operateo in three ultraviolet wavelengths between 2,000 and 3,000Angstroms. It has a 2 6-centimeter-diameter (10.1-inch)mirror gimballed around two perpendicular axes and willlock on stars by means of two internal servo-control loops.-. The device was developed by the Laboratory fo r Space.- Research (Laboratorium voor Ruimteonderzoek), Utrecht,the Netherlands. Mr. T. Kamperman is the principalinvestigator.

Spectral Study of Cosmic Rays. The instrument consistsof four Cerenkov-type detectors to measure the intensityof nuclei of charge between two and 28. It will be ableto determine the charge spectrum, energies, and intensitiesof these extremely high energy sub-atomic particles. Theexperiment is provided by the Center for Nuclear Studies(Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires), Saclay, France. Mr. M. D. Kierleis the principal investigator.- more -

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Spectral Stud of Extraterrestrial X-rays. Thisdevice, as provie by the FrenchCen erfor NuclearStudies with M. D. Kierle principal investigator, con-sists of an X-ray collimator and a proportional counter.It will carry out measurements of extraterrestrial X-raysin the energy range of three to 30 KeV. X-ray sourcesscheduled to be investigated include the center of ourgalaxy and the Crab Uebula.Solar Gamma Ray Detector. The experiment sensorconsists of an anti-aoincidence scintillator, a tungstenrconverter, and a Cerenkov-type detector and energyanalyzer with related electronic equipment. It willeasure gamma ray emissions from the Sun in the energyrange of from 50 to 500 MeV. The-experiment was developedby the University of Milan, Italy, with Dr. 0. Citterioas principal investigator.Spectral Study of Solar X-rays. Consisting of aphotomultiplier with a scintillator, this experiment willmeasure solar X-ray emissions in th energy range of from20 to 700 KeV. It was provided by the Laboratory fo rSpace Research, Utrecht, with H. Van Beek as principalinvestigator.

SStellar Gamma Ray Detector. Designed to measuregamma rays from inter-stellar space, the device consistsof a spark chamber, a vidicon camera and a set ofdetectors to record gamma rays of energy in excess of30 MeV. The experxi.ent was developed jointly by theMax Planck Insticute, Munich, Germany, the University ofMilan, and the French Center for Nuclear Studies. Prin-cipal investigators include Professor K. Pinkau of theMax Planck Institute, Prof. G. Boella of the Universityof Milan, and M. D. Kierle of the Center fo r NuclearStudies.

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DELTA LAUNCH VEHICLEThe ESRO TD-1A spacecraft will be launched by a two-Sstage, thrust-augmented NASA Delta N rocket. This willi be the 88th flight fo r Delta. Of the previous 87 flights,SX 80 have successfully placed satellites in orbit.Delta is managed fcr the NASA Office of Space Science the Gcddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Launchoperations are conducted by the Kennedy Space Center'sUnmanned Launch Operations. The McDonnell-Douglas Astro-nautics Corp., Huntington Beach, Calif., is the Deltaprime contractor.

:4- The thrust augmentation for Delta 88 consists ofthree solid-propellant Castor II booster rockets attachedS to the Thor first stage. They will ignite simul-taneously with ignition of the first stage.Overall, the Delta N is 32.3 meters long (106 feet),including the spacecraft shroud. Its weight at liftoffis 98,050 kilograms (197,890 pounds) -- just under 100tons. Its thrist at liftoff, including the three strapon booster rockets, is 1,460,000 Newtons (326,000 pounds).Engines for the kerosene-liquid oxygen fueled 22.8-meter-long (75-foot) first stage are built by the RocketdyneDivision of North American Rockwell Corp. The three solidZuel booster rockets are produced by the Thiokol ChemicalCorp. The propellants of the 3 .9-meter-long (12-feet,10-inch) second stage are Unsymmetrical Dimethyl Hydrazine

(UDMH) fo r fuel, and Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid(IRFNA) for the oxidizer, using motors proluced by theAerojet General Corp.- ore -

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ITD-lA KEY PERSONNEL

European Space Research OrganizationProject Manager Thomas CurlProject Scientist Dr. Jos van BoeckelLaunch Operations Manager Norman HolmesSNASA Headquarters, Office of Space ScienceAssociate Administrator Dr. John E. NaugleDirector, Launch Vehicles Joseph B. MahonManager, Small Launch VehiclesSand International Programs Robert W. ManvilleDelta Program Manager Isaac T. GillaGoddard Space Riight Center .Director Dr. John F. Clark.Delta Project Manager William R. SchindlerProject Manager Robert GossMission Operations SystemManager and Mission SupportManager Robert G. Sanford5 Network Support Manager Gerald A. DavidControl Center OperationsManager Richard A. SchumacherOrbital ComputationS Engineer Ellen L. HerringKennedy Space Center, Unmanned Launch OperationsDirector, Unmanned LaunchOperations John NeilonSManager, Western Test RangeOperations Div. Henry R. Van Goey. Spacecraft Coordinator Carl Latham

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f TD-1A FACT SHEETLaunch: From Launch Complex SLC-2, Western Test Range,Lompoc, CalifLaqunc Rocket: TWo-,stage, thrust-augmented Delta N.P1anned orbit: Crcular, 550 kilometers (340 statute miles)Tnclinatoan: 97 degrees-- : /Period: 96 minutesS:ating Lifetime: At least six months.*s 4-72 0 ram - 8p8unds-, with

;. , bo-b ke stre tue, 980 milli-^ ^r :- - : s-t- w Is). -.by 2,15,58miimet ers -85 nces), consis.ting of two unitsb lhe together, .upper unit containingSexperiments and lower uni t housing space-craft subsystem equipment.

Apeage: Two solar panels attached to sides of space- ."-raft, folded at la~nch, 1,515 millimeters '(59.6 inches) by 1,780 millimeters (69.9 inches).Omnidirectional antenna, at bottom of space- " :craft, folded during launch, extends to 2.7 meters "(106.3 inches) after orbit is achieved. !Power System: 9,360 solar cells to provide regulated andunregulated direct current voltage to space- .93raft systems and regulate alternating .-current to scientific experiments. Total ;'. power available 330 watts.

Cormmunications and Data-Handling System:Telemetry: PCM-PM System capable of transmitting 1,700.:- bits per second in real time, and 30,600 bitsper second in delayed time. Two on-board tape-recorders with storage capacity exceeding 20megabits of data. Transmitting frequenciesare 136.050-MHz and 137.74-MHs.

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load, operating at 148.250-MHz.Tracking and Data-Acquisition: European Space OperationsCenter (ESOC) operated byESRO at Darmstadt, Germany,will direct tracking by th ,

European Space Tracking Sta-tion (ESTRACK) network with

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.stations at Redu, Belgium;,Alesund, Spit bergen;

Fairbanks, Alaska, and Port

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Commands: The teleco d system allows fo r 280 commands.halff which are used fo r the experi entpay-load, operating at 148.250-MHz.will beTracking and ata-Aquisi t E urope anpace Operations

Center (ESOC) operated by

early orbit phasetadt, Germany,wilof theASA Space Fkingby theTracking anpace Tracking Sta-taetwork(Stion (STCK) network withused.

stations at Redu, Belgium;Alesund, Spitzbergen;endFairbanks, Alaska, and Port/Stanley, Falkland Islands. jIn addition, the NorwegianStation at Tromso wil l beused. During launch and

early orbit phase, stationsof th e NASA Space FlightTracking and Data Network(STDN) will be used.

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