The scientific experiments onboard the Thor-Delta 1Z spacecraft are described. The experiments were designed to study high energy emissions from stellar and galactic sources and the Sun not visible to earth bound observations. Studies were also made of the ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, gamma rays unhindered by the blanketing and absorbing effect of the earth's atmosphere

Allaway, H. G.

Senstad, K.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

PR
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K
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Washington, D. C. 20546
202-755-8370
FOR RELEASE:
FRIDAY AMS,
March 3, 1972
PROJECT
contents
GENERAL RELEASE 1-4
<w
THE TD-1A SPACECRAFT 5
TD-1A EXPERIMENTS AND INVESTIGATORS 6-7
DELTA LAUNCH VEHICLE 8
MAJOR FLIGHT EVENTS 9
TD-1A KEY PERSONNEL 10
TD-1A FACT SHEET 11-12
(NASA-News-Release-72-43) TD-1A: PRESS
KIT H.G. Allaway, et al (NASA) 3 Mar.
1972 13 p CSCL 22C
(lAIEUUKT)
N72-18833
Unclas
G3/30 17735
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19720011183 2020-03-23T11:39:58+00:00Z
Howard G. Allaway
(Phone: 202/755-3680)
Kenneth Senstad (GSFC)
(Phone: 301/982-5566)
RELEASE NO: 72-43
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Washington, D. C. 20546
Phone: (202) 755-8370
FOR RELEASE:
FRIDAY AMS
March 3, 1972
ESRO SPACECRAFT TO BE LAUNCHED BY NASA
The largest and most advanced scientific spacecraft
ever built in Western Europe, the European Space Research
Organization's (ESRO) Thor-Delta 1Z (TD-1A), will be
launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-
tration on board a thrust-augmented, two-stage Delta
•\
rocket no earlier than March 8 from the Western Test
Range, Lompoc, Calif.
The Box-shaped, 472-kilogram (1,038-pound) spacecraft
carries seven unique scientific experiments, weighing
145 kilograms (320 pounds). They were provided by six
European universities and research organizations to
study high energy emissions from stellar and galactic
sources and the Sun not visible to Earth-bound observatories,
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February 25, 1972
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In the planned circular orbit of 550 kilometers
(340 statute miles), the experiment sensors will be able
to observe ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, and gamma
rays unhindered by the blanketing and absorbing effect
of the Earth's atmosphere. Data obtained should provide
insights into fundamental problems of cosmology, such
as the evolution of the universe and the turbulent
environment of interstellar and intergalactic space.
Four of the seven experiments will scan the sky to
study 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 of
cosmic and solar origin as well as proton fluxes.
To accomplish these objectives, TD-1A will be placed
in a high inclination — 97 degrees — sun-synchronous
orbit which will allow operation for about 230 days before
it enters the Earth's shadow.
ESRO will^reimburse NASA for the cost of the Delta
vehicle and the launch as well as related pre-launch and
support services.
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For the first time on a European-built spacecraft,
TD-1A will employ a three-axis stabilization system which
will permit directional viewing by the scientific experi-
ments. The system will also enable the solar panels to
point at the Sun for adequate electrical power to operate
the spacecraft.
This will be the sixth scientific spacecraft launched
by NASA for ESRO. The latest, HEOS 2, was launched
January 31, this year, from the Western Test Range.
Other spacecraft in the program were: IRIS, launched
May 17, 1968; Aurorae, launched October 3, 1968; HEOS 1,
December 5, 1968; HEOS 1, December 5, 1968, arid BOREAS,
October 1, 1969.
ESRO member nations are Belgium, Denmark, Federal
Republic of Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Once in orbit, TD-1A will be tracked by European
Space Tracking (ESTRACK) stations in Belgium, Spitzbergen,
Alaska and the Falkland Islands, supported by a Norwegian
station located at Tromso.
\
The mission will be controlled from the European Space
Operations Center (ESOC) located at Darmstadt, Federal
Republic of Germany.
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4 -
During launch and early orbit phases of the mission,
additional tracking support will be provided by stations
of the world-wide NASA Spaceflight Tracking and Data
Network (STDN) operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center,
Greenbelt, Md.
ESRO project management for the TD-1A spacecraft is
charged to the European Space Research and Technology
%
Center (ESTEC), Noordwijk, the Netherlands. Prime
contractor for the spacecraft is the French firm Engins
Matra, Velizy, France, aided by four European firms.
NASA project management for the mission and the Delta
launch rocket is charged to the Goddard Space Flight
Center. Overall NASA program management is under the
Office of Space Science, NASA Headquarters, Washington,
D.C.
(END OF GENERAL RELEASE: BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOLLOWS)
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THE TD-1A SPACECRAFT
The 472-kilogram (1,038-pound) TD-1A is the largest
and most advanced scientific spacecraft ever built in
Western Europe. It is also the first European-built
spacecraft with a three-axis stabilization system,
permitting directional viewing of the scientific experi-
ments. This system will permit a complete scan of the
celestial sphere by the experiments in a six-month period.
The box-like main structure, 980 millimeters (38.6 inches)
by 2,158 millimeters (85 inches), resembles a large
refrigerator. It is divided into two sections, the smaller
bottom section contains all of the spacecraft electronics
and other sub-systems, while the top section contains
the 145-kilogram (320-pound) experiment complement.
Equipment and experiments in both sections are mounted
on shelves or the spacecraft walls.
Attached to the sides of the TD-1A are two large
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 bottom
of the spacecraft.
The most unique engineering feature of the space-
craft is its attitude control system. It is designed
to maintain one axis point at center of the Sun with an
accuracy of better than one minute of arc. The system,
consisting of Sun and Earth sensors, reaction wheels,
gyroscopes, argon gas jets and control electronics,
will provide for the spacecraft to be rolled about the
sun-point axis once each orbit, thus insuring that experi-
ment sensors except those for solar radiation will always
point away from the Earth.
The TD-1A was built by five European firms with
French firm Engins Matra, as prime contractor. Other
firms involved include Erno Raumfahrttechnik of Germany,
Saab-Scania of Sweden, Hawker Siddeley Dynamics of the
United Kingdom, and Fiat of Italy.
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— 6 —
TD-1A EXPERIMENTS AND INVESTIGATORS
The seven scientific experiments on board TD-1A
are designed to carry out pioneering studies of emissions
from stars and galaxies as well as detailed measure-
ments of X-rays, gamma rays, and cosmic rays. The
experiments were provided by six European universities
and scientific organizations. Scientific results from
TD-1A are expected to provide new insights into the
evolution of the universe and the little-understood
high energy forces controlling it.
Ultraviolet Spectral Telescope. This large,
30-centimeter-diameter(11.7-inch) telescope will study
ultraviolet emissions from stars and galaxies in the region
of 1,000 to 3,000 Angstroms. The telescope is fixed with
respect to the spacecraft, and consists of a spectrometer
equipped with photomultipliers. The experiment was
provided by the University of Liege, Belgium, and the
United Kingdom Science Research Council. Co-investigators
are Mr. C. Jamar of the University of Liege and Mr. P. J.
Barker of the Science Research Council.
Ultraviolet Stellar Spectrometer. This Cassegrain-
type telescope system and spectrophotometer will operate
in three ultraviolet wavelengths between 2,000 and 3,000
Angstroms. It has a 26-centimeter-diameter (10.1-inch)
mirror gimballed around two perpendicular axes and will
lock on stars by means of two internal servo-control loops.
The device was developed by the Laboratory for Space
Research (Laboratorium voor Ruimteonderzoek), Utrecht,
the Netherlands. Mr. T. Kamperman is the principal
investigator.
Spectral Study of Cosmic Rays. The instrument consists
of four Cerenkov-type detectors to measure the intensity
of nuclei of charge between two and 28. It will be able
to determine the charge spectrum, energies, and intensities
of these extremely high energy sub-atomic particles. The
experiment is provided by the Center for Nuclear Studies
(Centre djEtudes Nucleaires), Saclay, France. Mr. M. D. Kierle
is the principal investigator.
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Spectral Study of Extraterrestrial X-rays. This
device, also provided by the French Center for Nuclear
Studies 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-rays
in the energy range of three to 30 KeV. X-ray sources
scheduled to be investigated include the center of our
galaxy and the Crab Nebula.
Solar Gamma Ray Detector. The experiment sensor
consists of an anti-aoincidence scintillator, a tungsten
converter, and a Cerenkov-type detector and energy
analyzer with related electronic equipment. It will
measure gamma ray emissions from the Sun in the energy
range of from 50 to 500 MeV. The experiment was developed
by the University of Milan, Italy, with Dr. 0. Citterio
as principal investigator.
Spectral Study of Solar X-rays. Consisting of a
photomultiplier with a scintillator, this experiment will
measure solar X-ray emissions in the energy range of from
20 to 700 KeV. It "was provided by the Laboratory for
Space Research, Utrecht, with H. Van Beek as principal
investigator.
Stellar Gamma Ray Detector. Designed to measure
gamma rays from inter-stellar space, the device consists
of a spark chamber, a vidicon camera and a set of
detectors to record gamma rays of energy in excess of
30 MeV. The experiment was developed jointly by the
Max Planck_institute, Munich, Germany, the University of
Milan, and the French Center for Nuclear Studies. Prin-
cipal investigators include Professor K. Pinkau of the
Max Planck Institute, Prof. G. Boella of the University
of Milan, and M. D. Kierle of the Center for Nuclear
Studies.
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DELTA LAUNCH VEHICLE
The ESRO TD-LA spacecraft will be launched by a two-
stage, thrust-augmented NASA Delta N rocket. This will
be the 88th flight for Delta. Of the previous 87 flights,
80 have successfully placed satellites in orbit.
Delta is managed for the NASA Office of Space Science
by the Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. Launch
operations are conducted by the Kennedy Space Center's
Unmanned Launch Operations. The McDonnell-Douglas Astro-
nautics Corp., Huntington Beach, Calif., is the Delta
prime contractor.
The thrust augmentation for Delta 88 consists of
three solid-propellant Castor II booster rockets attached
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 liftoff
is 98,050 kilograms (197,890 pounds) — just under 100
tons. Its thrust at liftoff, including the three strap
on 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 Rocketdyne
Division of North American Rockwell Corp. The three solid
fuel booster rockets are produced by the Thiokol Chemical
Corp. The propellants of the 3.9-meter-long (12-feet,
10-inch) second stage are Unsymmetrical Dimethyl Hydrazine
(UDMH) for fuel, and Inhibited Red F_uming Nitric Acid
(IRFNA) for the oxidizer, using motors produced by the
Aerojet General Corp.
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MAJOR FLIGHT EVENTS
Event
Liftoff
Solid Motors Burnout
Jettison Solid Motor Casings
Main Engine Cutoff
Stage 1 Separation
Stage 2 Ignition
Jettison Fairing
Stage 2 First Cutoff
Stage 2 Restart
Stage 2 - Second Cutoff
Spacecraft Separation
Time: ^ Minutes/Seconds
T - 0:00
T - 0:38
T - 1:30
T - 3:34
T - 3:39
T - _3:39.8
_T - 3:56
T - 9:54.9
T - 50:28
T - 50:32.4
T - 52:07
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TD-1A KEY PERSONNEL
European Space Research Organization
Project Manager
Project Scientist
Launch Operations Manager
Thomas Curl
Dr. Jos van Boeckel
Norman Holmes
NASA Headquarters, Office of Space Science
Associate Administrator
Director, Launch Vehicles
Manager, Small Launch Vehicles
and International Programs
Delta Program Manager
Goddard Space Blight Center
Director
Delta Project Manager
Project Manager
Mission Operations System
Manager and Mission Support
Manager
Network Support Manager
Control Center Operations
Manager
Orbital Computations Engineer
Dr. John E. Naugle
Joseph B. Mahon
Robert W. Manvilie
Isaac T. Gillam
Dr. John F. Clark
William R. Schindler
Robert Goss
Robert G. Sanford
Gerald A. David
Richard A. Schumacher
Ellen L. Herring
Kennedy Space Center, Unmanned Launch Operations
Director, Unmanned Launch
Operations
Manager, Western Test Range
Operations Div.
Spacecraft Coordinator
John Neilon
Henry R. Van Goey
Carl Latham
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TD-1A FACT SHEET
Launch: From Launch Complex SLC-2, Western Test Range,
Lompoc, Calif.
Launch Rocket; Two-stage, thrust-augmented Delta N.
Planned Orbit; Circular, 550 kilometers (340 statute miles)
Inclination: 97 degrees
Period: 96 minutes
Operating Lifetime; At least six months.
Spacecraft Weight; 472 kilograms (1,038 pounds), with
145 kilograms (313 pounds) of experiments.
Main Structure: Rectangular, box-like structure, 980 milli-
meters (38.6 inches) by 2,158 millimeters
(85 inches), consisting of two units
bolted together, upper unit containing
experiments and lower unit housing space-
craft subsystem equipment.
Appendages; Two solar panels attached to sides of space-
craft, folded at launch, 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 and
unregulated direct current voltage to space-
craft systems and regulate alternating
current to scientific experiments. Total
power available 330 watts.
Communications and Data-Handling System;
Telemetry: PCM-PM System capable of transmitting 1,700
bits per second in real time, and 30,600 bits
per second in delayed time. Two on-board tape
recorders with storage capacity exceeding 20
megabits of data. Transmitting frequencies
are 136.050-MHz and 137.74-MH2.
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Commands; The telecommand system allows for 280 commands,
half of which are used for the experiment pay-
load, operating at 148.250-MHz.
Tracking and Data-Acquisition; European Space Operations
Center (ESOC) operated by
ESRO at Darmstadt, Germany,
will direct tracking by the
European Space Tracking Sta-
tion (ESTRACK) network with
stations at Redu, Belgium;
Alesund, Spitzbergen;
Fairbanks, Alaska, and Port
Stanley, Falkland Islands.
In addition, the Norwegian
Station at Tromso will be
used. During launch and
early orbit phase, stations
of the NASA Space Flight
Tracking and Data Network
(STDN) will be used.
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