Space Technology 5

Space Technology 5 ( ST5 abbreviated ) is a satellite project of the U.S. space agency NASA as part of the New Millennium Program to test new space technologies. The mission consists of three small satellites that were launched on 22 March 2006, together with a Pegasus XL rocket. The use of several small, cheap satellites provides a new type of mission dar. Each satellite weighs 25 kg and is about the size of an average TV. The mission comes at relatively low total cost of about $ 130 million (including launch vehicle and mission execution ). The mission was scheduled for a minimum period of 90 days. It is used in the second line of exploration and mapping of the Earth's magnetic field.

Mission Objectives

The primary goal of the mission is to demonstrate the novel technique of microsatellites (English micro - sats ) and to test in space. Each of the three satellites is a fully independent system with its own navigation, propulsion and communications systems. This cutting-edge miniaturization technology has been applied. During the mission, the satellites are again left for the day itself, to demonstrate technologies of automation and test.

The scientific objective of the mission is the study of the earth's magnetic field. The satellites will map out the direction and strength of the internal magnetic field. The satellites fly in formation and therefore can simultaneously perform with their highly sensitive magnetometers at several points in the Earth's magnetic field precise measurements. Thus, the scientists want to be able in the future to predict magnetic storms and other phenomena. This can have devastating effects on the communication in space and on the earth and destroy satellites in extreme cases even completely.

Technology

The satellite are in the form of an octagon having a diameter of 53 centimeters and a height of 48 centimeters. To stabilize the attitude of the satellites rotate at 20 revolutions per minute around its own axis. The outer sides are covered with solar panels that cover together the energy consumption of about 25W. Here, a lithium secondary battery is used with a capacity of 7.9 Ah as a buffer.

The satellites operate autonomously to a large extent, they are radioed daily only two to three times for 10-30 minutes each by the ground station. During this time window, new commands are delivered to the satellites and receive scientific data. This requires a large cache and a fast transfer. On the satellite every 20 megabytes of data can be stored, the transmission rate is 100 kbps.

Data are transmitted via the X-band (7-8 GHz). Thereby an optimal antenna is used. Your form has been calculated on a high performance computer using an evolutionary algorithm and is matched to the orbit of the mission. Thus it ensures a higher transmission rate with a smaller power consumption.

Instruments

The only science experiment aboard the satellite is a miniaturized magnetometer. To protect it from interfering influences by the probe, that is attached to an aluminum boom is extended after launch.

Mission History

Originally, the mission should have already started on 28 February 2006. Due to problems with the release mechanism but it had to be postponed several times. On February 15, then started the engine-driven machine, but had to turn back as at the last inspection still an error was detected.

Space Technology 5 finally launched on March 22 with a Pegasus XL. This rocket is launched from an aircraft 14,000 meters altitude from. The start was according to NASA one of the smoothest in the history of the rocket. Eleven minutes after the missile had detached from the aircraft, the first of three satellites has been delivered into space, three minutes later, the second and after another three minutes, the third. The satellites were to mounted on a specially developed for this mission payload adapter that allowed the launch of three satellites on a single rocket.

The satellites were exposed at an altitude of 300 km. Your polar orbit is highly elliptical, the satellites are located 300-4000 km altitude. For an orbit of the earth they need 136 minutes. They fly in formation and have about 350 km distance between them.

Two hours after launch, the satellite began to transmit data. They all work flawlessly. About a month after the start, the system was activated and the satellites swung into its final flight formation. For this, the small micro thrusters are used, which are also new for the mission. There are already in April first scientific results before those responsible have already spoken of as a success of the mission. The end of June, the mission was completed on June 30, the satellite was turned off.