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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 2122.PDF
FLIGHT International. 23 July 1964 143 Two-Wew general-arrangement drawing of the UK-3 satellite. Planned experiments comprise measurement of electron density near the satellite (Birmingham University); mapping of galactic noise sources (Cambridge University); study of radio signals below lOkcjs (Sheffield University); measurement of atmospheric distribution of molecular oxygen (Meteorological Office); and measurement of intensity and distribution of natural terrestial noise and anomalous radio propagation (Radio Research Station). I, command receiver and transmitter aerials; 2, solar-cell trays; 3, Birmingham sensors; 4, Meteorological Office mirror and experiment; 5, solar aspect sensor; 6, Radio Research Station ferrite rod aerials; 7, Cambridge loop aerial; 8, Sheffield loop aerial; 9, boom hinge mechanism; 10, boom tie-down lugs; II, booms; 12, diagnostic and umbilical connectors Progress with UK-3 | ANUFACTURE of the basic structure of the first UK-3 satellite has now begun at the Stevenage factory of British Aircraft Corporation's Guided Weapons Division. A total of five spacecraft are to be built—two development models, one prototype, and two flight models (one of which will be a spare). The management structure of the UK-3 programme is somewhat complex. The money for the project comes from the space research budget of the Department of Education and Science, who have delegated project management to the Ministry of Aviation. Design authority and research and development authority remain within the Ministry of Aviation, with BAC as prime contractor. Lines of project co-ordination—by meetings, telephone, telex and written reports—are humming continuously, linking BAC, Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, MoA headquarters in London, the Space Research Management Unit of the Depart- ment of Education and Science, NASA's Goddard and Langley centres and Wallops Station, the UK university groups and other experimenters and the experimenters' contractors. Key personnel include Mr H. J. H. Sketch of the RAE, who is UK project manager; Dr E. B. Dorling of the Space Research Management Unit, who represents the experimenters and the Department; Mr J. L. Blon- stein, UK-3 company project manager at BAC; and Mr E. Hymo- witz, project manager at Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. At Stevenage, the first development satellite, the Dl structural model, should be complete by the end of this year. After three months' mechanical trials at the factory, the satellite will be taken to Farnborough for six months' further mechanical and thermal vacuum tests. Meanwhile, D2 is scheduled to be complete next April and will be used to ensure compatibility and integration between electronics and satellite structure, first at Stevenage and later at the RAE. Prototype satellite PI should be completed by December 1965 and will be subjected to mechanical and electrical testing at BAC followed by full-scale vacuum-chamber tests at RAE. Flight models Fl and F2 will be ready in June-July 1966 and, after a relatively condensed test programme, will be sent to the USA to meet the launching target of December 1966. In parallel with the development and construction of the satellites, BAC are equipping three mobile ground-equipment units for use with UK-3. Three ex-RAF Thor IRBM trailers have been acquired, stripped and are being completely re-equipped, two as ground checkout vehicles and one as a mobile workshop. The ground- equipment part of the programme is ahead of schedule. The design of the spacecraft itself has been delayed because of a weight problem caused by initial under-estimates, recent changes and new requirements. Originally the weight of the satellite was estimated at 1501b; it has since increased to 2021b. At this weight the satellite could be placed into a 500km orbit at an inclination of 58° from Wallops Island, using the selected Scout launch vehicle. By changing the launch site to the Western Test Range in California, a higher-inclination orbit would be possible. This would enhance considerably the value of a number of the experiments, but no decision to make this change has yet been made. In all probability a compromise will be devised in which changes in orbital height and inclination will be "traded-off" against payload weight. To date, the major part of BAC effort has been directed towards finalizing the basic design of the satellite in conjunction with the NASA team at Goddard Space Flight Center and with Ling- Temco-Vought, makers of the Scout launch vehicle, at Dallas. Continuous liaison has been maintained with RAE Farnborough on the general engineering and system design of the satellite, and with the experimenters and their prime contractors on the engineer- ing of the experiments and associated equipment. The basic design of the craft has been known for some time, but a number of modifications—relating mainly to the Scout rocket and the Goddard-designed separation and erection mechanisms—
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