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Aviation History
1973
1973 - 1105.PDF
FLIGHT International, 26 April 1973 Major new satellite programmes for Esro THE COUNCIL OF THE European Space Research Organisa tion has approved two new scientific projects for Esro. The two projects were selected from three proposed at a council meeting on April 11-12 (Flight, Af>ril 5, page 554). One of these is for a satellite to be devoted to X-ray astronomy and called Helos (Highly Eccentric Lunar Occulation Satellite). The scientific aims are the definition of the position of spatial and spectral features and the monitoring of the time-variabilities of X-ray sources. Detailed mapping of X-ray sources is expected to provide answers to fundamental questions of the structure of the universe. In particular Helos' measurements should help understanding of the nature of space phenomena such as "Black Holes" and to study the "opening-closing" universe theory. The programme is an ambitious one intended to provide a second-generation spacecraft to follow several non-Esro X-ray survey satellites already due to be launched before 1977. It is scheduled for launch in 1979 and is expected to cost $76 million over the next six years (1973 prices). Development is due to begin in mid-1975. Feasibility studies for this project were, in fact, performed in 1971 by Engines Matra with Erno and TNO as. subcontractors, and by Dornier with CGE-Fiar and Thomson-CSF as subcontractors, under contract to Esro. The second programme is called Iseps (International Sun-Earth Physics Satellite). This is an Esro-Nasa co-opera tive programme under which a pair of satellites will be launched into separate, highly eccentric Earth orbits by a single Atlas-Centaur launch vehicle in 1977. Of the two satellites, termed '"mother" and "daughter," Esro is to contribute the "daughter" spacecraft while Nasa will build the "mother." The objective is to study discontinuities in the solar wind and other effects produced by the Earth's magnetosphere. This will be achieved through carefully controlling the separation of the two spacecraft so that accurate comparative readings can be obtained. Total costs of the European segment, excluding launch, are estimated at $28 million and development is due to*egin in mid-1974. The third proposed project, which failed to achieve approval this year, was also planned in co-operation with Nasa and was for a Venus exploration probe. Europe was to provide an orbiter vehicle which would be launched together with a vehicle carrying several atmospheric entry probes. An Esro spokesman said that this is likely to be resubmitted for approval next year. Top, model of the Iseps "daughter" satellite which is to be undertaken by Esro for launch with a Nasa-developed "mother" satellite in 1977. Right, Helos, Esro's second new project, is an advanced X-ray satellite. I VHF antenna, 2 high energy detector, 3 grazing incidence mirrors, 4 Moon sensors (both sides), 5 absorber ring, 6 multilayer insulation blanket, 7 coarse Sun-acquisition sensors, 8 S-band antenna, 9 solar array, 10 solar aspect control sensor, 11 Sun-avoidance switching eye SHUTTLE COSTS: LATEST ESTIMATES The total cost of developing and operating the space shuttle up to 1990 has been estimated by the US National Aero nautics and Space Administration at $42,800 million (£18,000 million). This figure, at 1971 prices, compares with an estimated $48,200 million (£20,000 million) for the use of expendable launchers over the same period. The estimate was prepared at the request of Sen William Proxmire, chairman of the Congressional space appropria tions subcommittee, who is asking for severe cuts in Nasa's 1974 budget requests. The figures represent optimum fore seen use of the shuttle over the period and Sen Proxmire considers that inflation will add at least six per cent to the figure. Of the total costs, $34,700 million is the estimated cost of
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