Launching of ESRO 2/IRIS satellite as seen from Red

Le Peltier, J.

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THE LAUNCHING OF THE ESRO II /IRIS SATELLITE AS SEEN FROM REDO
J. Le Peltier
[Translated from ESRO/ELDO Bulletin, Aug. 2, 1968, P. 337
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The Launching of the ESRO II/IRIS Satellite as
Seen From Redu
J. Le Peltier
Redu, 16 May 1968
The launching of the ESRO II satellite, which had so often been postponed,
was set for the following night at 0206 hours Greenwich time, or 0306 hours
local time.
As each person arrived at the site on the morning before, the latest
messages forwarded by teleprinter from the network control center at Darmstadt
were read in the perhaps vain hope that this time would be the real thing and
no last minute annoyance would arise to again cause delay of the operation.
From .Darmstadt 0813 hours: Launch time still predicted for 0206 hours
the following morning.
Noon came and there was no news. lif site equipment stood ready. The
personnel charged with the night shift went to get some rest.
The weather remained forbidding. Huge black clouds, pushed on by icy
winds blew alternately from east and from west finally piling up over Redu.
Nearing 2200 hours at Redu, in addition to site personnel there were
some engineers who had come down from Noordwijk. The atmosphere was very
relaxed and conversation turned to the most varied subjects, usually nothing
whatever to do with the launch. Someone read a detective story. The latest
news:
1506 hours: time - 11 hours. Everything OK; 1606 hours: time - 10
hours; 1706 hours ---- 1806 hours ---- 2206 hours ---- ?306 hours.
- 1 -
Messages stacked up hourly. Everything OK. 2336 hours: The ESTRACK
network announced its readiness and gave the green light as far as it was
concerned;
0006 hours: time - 2 hours;
0106 hours: time - 1 hour;
0136 hours: time - 30 minutes;
time - 20 minutes ---- time - 15 ---- time - 8 ----
time - 6: Everything OK.
As 0200 hours approached a loudspeaker carried the voice of Mr. Potter
relaying from Darmstadt data arriving by telephone from America. The audio
level was poor. Conversations which had been sometimes lively, sometimes not,
now were stopped. A group formed around the loudspeaker.
time - 1 minute
time - 5 seconds-4-3-2-1-0.
"Lift off" confirmed at 0206 hours. A joker asks what time is forecast
for the "fall down".
Operation of the first stage is correct; of the second stage: correct;
of the third stage, then of the fourth stage: correct.
The waiting started again and conversations resumed. The odds were
calculated and bets were taken.
The crackling of the teleprinter began again at 0253 hours. Johannesburg
has received the signals. This time it's success for sure.
0300 hours: Madagascar has received the signals at the time predicted.
- 2 -
The vehicle was supposed to arrive above Redu at about 0320 hours. Every
person went to his station and waited. The signal was detected at 0318 hours.
Two minutes later, the satellite was well above the horizon emitting strong,
steady signals. The remote control guidance instructions are passed as planned;
the vehicle reacts immediately.
The day breaks above Redu. The black clouds have disappeared. The sky is
blue.
The first measurements made at the site indicate that the satellite was
advanced over the predicted schedule by 23 seconds. The calculations made from
the first transit are sent to Darmstadt over the teleprinter. Then, during the
wait for the second orbit, everyone went to the snackbar for the coffee which
would keep him awake..
0454 hours - Second transit - Signal noted - Control guidance sent -
Confirmation - Recording - Reports - It has almost become routine.
0635 hours - Third-transit. This will be the last one for the morning.
Reports are quickly sent. The relief personnel arrive already knowing the news
from the radio reports.
The next transit will be in the evening at approximately 1830 hours. The
custom is now entrenched. The site will live from now on responding to the
rhyt%& of the satellite from dawn to dusk.
- 3 -


The launching of the ESRO 2/IRIS satellite as seen from Redu

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