Advanced Composition Explorer

The Advanced Composition Explorer ACE is just the name of a spacecraft of NASA, which has been launched in August 25, 1997. ACE has been implemented as part of the Explorer program and therefore is also called Explorer 71

Mission

ACE stands for " Advanced Composition Explorer ". Target of 752 kg heavy probe is the analysis of solar, interplanetary, interstellar and cosmic particles at the boundary of the Earth's gravitational field near the Lagrange point L 1 was launched on a Delta II 7920-8 and positioned in orbit around L1, in can probably work up to about 2024. Despite interference of an instrument, the probe is still active.

Description

ACE is a spacecraft having a main body of 1.6 m in diameter and 1 m in height. This is octagonal. Four solar cell paddles are attached to it: at each side of a second. Two opposing paddle sport also at their ends rods with magnetometers. The solar paddles are covered with silicon solar cells that are covered for radiation shielding with quartz. You should still generate 440 watts at the end of the planned service life of 5 years (2002 ), which are more than 425 watts, the ACE uses a maximum. With the extended solar paddles and magnetometer ACE has about 8.3 m in diameter. ACE had a launch mass of 785 kg and 189 kg of hydrazine fuel on board. ACE is rotated for spin stabilization with 5 revolutions per minute about an axis that passes through the center of the main body. The axis is aligned along the line of the Earth-Sun. ACE has two communication systems operating in the S band.