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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 1445.PDF
j August 1962 237 United Kingdom project manager M. 0. Robins, with Ariel prototype at Cape Canaveral have produced a continuous record of the temperature of the Sun's corona, and of the temperature changes caused by two solar flares. All these factors may be expected to be correlated with the behaviour of the ionosphere. The satellite which has provided all this information was fully described at the time of the launch, and in particular in our issue of April 19. To complete the Ariel picture we may look at three further aspects—the launch vehicle, the scientific equipment aboard the satellite, and the tracking and telemetry system. The launch vehicle The launch of the US/UK satellite by the Douglas Delta marked the eighth consecutive successful satellite launching by this highly reliable three-stage vehicle. Since April 26 it has successfully placed two more satellites in orbit, the complete list being as follows:—Echo 1, August 12, 1960; Tiros 2, Novem ber 23, 1960; Explorer 10, March 25, 1961; Tiros 3, July 12, 1961; Explorer 12, August 16, 1961; Tiros 4, February 8, 1962; OSO 1, March 7, 1962; Ariel, April 26, 1962; Tiros 5, June 19, 1962 and Telstar 1, July 10, 1962. Delta weighs approximately 112,0001b, is 90ft tall and 8ft in maximum diameter. Its first stage is a modification of the USAF Thor missile, generating approximately 150,0001b thrust during its 160sec burning time. The second stage is powered by an Aerojet- General Able liquid-propellant engine which produces a thrust of approximately 7,5001b for a burning time of 109sec. An Allegany Ballistics Laboratory X-248 engine with a thrust rating of 3,0001b powers the third stage, burning for 40sec. Launch sequence for Ariel was as follows. The first stage fell away on burnout, and the second stage ignited immediately. The low-drag nose fairing which covered the third stage and payload was jettisoned. After second-stage burnout the second and third stages coasted for 7min and yawed until the peak of the ascent path was reached and the vehicle was aligned in its programmed, attitude. The third stage was spun up to approximately 160 r.p.m and ignited. The second stage separated and the retro-rockets were fired. The third stage burned out, and the rocket coasted to allow out- gassing of the stage to cease. De-spin of the third-stage/payload combination to approximately 70 r.p.m. occurred by the release of the "stretch yo-yo" de-spin device. [Continued overleaf M's were made known at f erence organized by the iety at Imperial College, lation, obtained by the sported by Prof J. Sayers, 5r "edge" of ionized par- sgion of the ionosphere. zation decreased steadily ) miles); Ariel has now :rease in electron concen- London, gave details of elium in the ionosphere «ter probe. In general teoretical estimates made tion, and had given the is more abundant in the Predominant ion in the shed that there is a daily Mtion from one kind of Miperature distributions with latitude have been with Leicester University (g) Hiffe Transport Publications Ltd 1962
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