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Aviation History
1978
1978 - 0098.PDF
132 Retrieval System (TRS) propulsion unit will separate from the Orbiter, travel to Skylab, dock with the space station, and either boost it to a higher orbit or retrofire to slow down the station so that it re-enters and is destroyed over an uninhabited area. TRS is being developed by the Marshall Space Flight Centre as a remote-controlled pro pulsion unit weighing 8,0001b and capable of moving a 10,0001b payload from a 160 n.m. orbit to a height of 1,000 n.m. It will be capable of returning to low orbit for retrieval by the Shuttle and reuse on a subsequent flight. Mission 6 (March 1980) This completes the six-flight test programme. Payload comprises pallet experiments funded by the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology, and possibly Nasa's Syncom-4 technology-development com munications satellite, probably launched by SSUS-A. Uncertainty caused by the reduced funding expected in Fiscal 1979 still clouds the precise sequence of Orbital Test Flight payloads, and it will be several months before the effects of the cuts can be assessed. The tentative launch schedule for these first six Shuttle flights requires the first launch to take place in March 1979, a date which could be put back by several months. Payloads now tenta tively booked for operational Shuttle missions up to early 1982 are as follows: Mission 7 (May 1980) The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), a passive, free-flying experiment designed to provide data on the effect of lengthy exposure to the space environment. Mission 8 (July 1980) Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System-A (TDRSS-A), the first of four synchronous com munications satellites to be operated jointly by Nasa as a replacement for existing ground stations and by Western Union as a commercial venture. Also Satellite Business Systems-A (SBS-A), a privately funded communications satellite for corporate lease. Mission 9 (July 1980) Geostationary Operational Environ mental Satellite-D (GOES-D), launched for NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; also FLIGHT International, 14 January 1978 Telesat-E, the first of a new family of Canadian communi cations satellites, and up to two Spacelab pallets. Mission 10 (November 1980) TDRSS-B and SBS-B, Mission 11 (December 1980) Spacelab 1 with a European Space Agency payload specialist. This first flight by an astronaut from outside the two superpowers takes place just under two decades after the first manned space flight. Mission 12 (January 1981) TDRSS-C and Telesat-F. Mission 13 (February 1981) GOES-E for NOAA, and up to two Spacelab pallets. Mission 14 (April 1981) Spacelab 2, a Nasa-funded mission with pallets. Mission 15 (May 1981) TDRSS-D with either SBS-C or the Canadian Telesat-G. Mission 16 (June 1981) Spacelab 3 and an SSUS-D oppor tunity. Mission 17 (July 1981) Intelsat V, an SSUS-D opportunity, and the return of the LDEF satellite launched on Mission 7. Mission 18 (July 1981) Teal Ruby spacecraft (designed by the USAF to explore the possibility of detecting aircraft from space), and two pallets, one of which is to be instru mented by the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology. Mission 19 (August 1981) Space physics and astronomy experiments on five Spacelab pallets. Mission 20 (September 1981) Spacelab 4 with life- science experiments. Mission 21 (October 1981) Multi-purpose spacecraft development launch, SSUS-D payload, and retrieval of the Solar Maximum Mission spacecraft launched in 1979. Mission 22 (November 1981) ESA Spacelab 5 flight. Mission 23 (January 1982) Jupiter Orbiter/Probe launch with Interim Upper Stage. These tentative assignments may be changed if Nasa gets the contract to launch three non-US communications satellites. Iran is interested in launching two Zoreh regional communications satellites in the second half of 1981, and India plans to launch its own Insat communi cations satellite in the same year. Japanese communications satellite on station JAPAN'S first experimental com munications satellite, Sakura (Cherry Blossom), reached its designated position over the equator at 135°E on December 29 and is now being checked out before beginning the test programme. Sakura was launched by a Delta 2914 from the Kennedy Space Centre on December 14. Otherwise known as CS (Communica tions Satellite), the new craft is spin- stabilised and weighed 670kg at launch, reducing to 340kg after the apogee-motor fuel had been expended. Sakura represents Japan's first step towards the establishment of a space- borne television and telephone net work to link the country's densely populated islands more effectively. Definitive versions of the new satellite (with a seven-year life compared with Sakura's three) could well be a major force in the international marketplace, competing heavily with US and Euro pean equipment over the next decade. Sakura carries eight transponders, two of them operating at the com monly used C-band frequencies (4GHz- 6GHz), the remaining six designed for the new 20GHz-30GHz band allocated to space communications. Together they provide 4,000 telephone circuits or up to eight colour television pro grammes. Fltsatcom at the Cape THE US Navy's first Fltsatcom Fleet Satellite Communications spacecraft, built by TRW, has been shipped to Cape Canaveral in preparation for launch by Atlas-Centaur in early January. Three of these 4,0001b, attitude^stabilised UHF spacecraft will communicate directly from syn chronous orbit with ships or soldiers in the field. Their mobile stations will be able to communicate through the satellite by means of small helical re ceiver aerials and 16ft portable para bolic dishes. The first Symphonic Franco-German experimental communications satellite completed its third year in orbit last month. Apart from Europe and Russia, 12 other countries used Symphonie; India is a notable participant. The initial test of a complete Ariane first stage was successfully carried out on December 13 by the Societe Euro- peenne de Propulsion at its Vernon test centre near Paris. The stage, in flight configuration, comprised the four Viking II engines, tanks, and forward and intertank skirts. It operated for lllsec. Close-up of the new type of spacesuit used by cosmonauts Yuri Romanenko and Georgi Grechko aboard the Sdlyut 6 space station. The suit, which can be used for space-walks, contains a built-in environmental control system STRAIGHT & LEVEL Roger Bacon is away on holiday, believed to be test-flying his new skateboard.
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