henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) (11/19/90)
Titan 4 launch from the Cape June 8 is now thought to have carried four small payloads instead of a single big one. At least one has maneuvered into a higher orbit. This might perhaps be an advanced version of the Navy's White Cloud ocean surveillance system, which is known to use a mother satellite with several auxiliaries. Heavyweight aircraft of the month: British Aerospace and the Soviet Ministry of Aviation Industry propose reviving Hotol [!], using an Antonov Mriya to carry a rocket-powered version of Hotol aloft, avoiding the need for an advanced airbreathing engine. Estimated payload to a low near-equatorial orbit is 7 tons, and costs are estimated to be about $2000/kg, roughly a third of that for Ariane 5. Re-engining Mriya with Rolls-Royce engines is being kept as a reserve possibility against the chance that Hotol will gain weight in development. The Soviets are investigating the carry and separation aspects, and also the possibility of using Soviet oxyhydrogen engines in Hotol. BA is looking into the modified Hotol, plus support and economics. Both sides consider it promising, and estimate an operational date circa 2000 if all goes well and funding (perhaps $4.6G) can be found. Magellan under control after early mishaps, with causes still being investigated. Japan's BS-3A broadcastsat has lost one of its four power supply sectors, the resulting 1.1kW power output being only marginally adequate for its full mission. The solar arrays appear to have deployed fully and on schedule Aug 31, and the nature of the failure is somewhat mysterious. This may be a headache for Japan's broadcasting plans, as BS-2 is near the end of its life and the next BS-3 will not go up until next summer, even assuming that it is not delayed for redesign of power systems. Astro launch scrubs Sept 5 due to yet another hydrogen leak. Another attempt will be made Sept 17; win or lose [the latter], that will push the Ulysses launch several days past the opening of its window Oct 5 unless NASA's normal three-week gap for data assessment is waived to give Ulysses as much margin as possible. [I believe the gap was waived but Ulysses was late anyway, due to some other problem. However, it's on its way.] NASA worried about a leak in one of Discovery's cooling systems, as a fix would make it impossible to get Ulysses off this year. Managers hoping that just topping it off before launch will do; the leak is small. [That's what they did.] [That's it for AW&ST; not much news that week.] [18 July Flight International] ESA Council approves the Huygens Titan probe as part of the Cassini mission, and starts work on Artemis and DRS comsat projects. Artemis is a technology test for mobile communications and intersatellite communications, partly as a preliminary for the Data Relay Satellite system, Europe's equivalent of TDRS to support Columbus and Hermes. Artemis will go up in 1994, DRS in 1996 if full funding is authorized next year. Prime contractor for both is Selenia Spazio of Italy. US government tentatively states that it would approve export licenses for US-build satellites being launched on Zenits from Cape York, and for United Technologies to participate in Cape York development. [Don't remember whether AW&ST reported this or not.] [1 Aug F.I.] NASA's B-52 to commence tests of the shuttle drag chute system, to be installed in Endeavour and retrofitted to the earlier orbiters. Japan's NASDA announces plans for an unmanned space tug, for delivering supplies to the Japanese section of the space station and maneuvering other satellites. Test launch possible in 1995. Martin Marietta design bureau, er oops excuse me I mean Martin Marietta Inc, awarded DoD contract to redesign the payload adapter for Titan IV/Centaur. The Titan IV/IUS launches flown so far have revealed much higher levels of shock and vibration than expected. IV/C launches will be delayed. -- "I don't *want* to be normal!" | Henry Spencer at U of Toronto Zoology "Not to worry." | henry@zoo.toronto.edu utzoo!henry