Elektron (satellite program)
 Elektrons 1 and Elektron 2 (identical to 3 and 4) | |
| Mission type | Earth science |
|---|---|
| Operator | Soviet Union |
| COSPAR ID |
|
| Mission duration | 60 years, 5 months and 19 days (in orbit) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | OKB-1 |
| Launch mass |
|
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date |
|
| Rocket | Vostok 8K72K |
| Launch site | Baikonur LC1 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Perigee altitude |
|
| Apogee altitude |
|
| Inclination | 61 degrees |
| Period | 168.9 minutes (1/3); 22.5 hours (2/4) |
Elektron(Russian:электрон) ('electron'), in American sources sometimes calledElectron,[1]was the first Soviet multiple satellite program, comprising two identical pairs of particle physicssatelliteslaunched by theSoviet Unionin 1964. The four spacecraft simultaneously monitored the lower and upperVan Allen radiation beltsand returned a considerable volume of data regarding radiation in space andatmospheric conditionsto an altitude of more than 58,000 kilometres (36,000 mi) above the Earth. Two of the four launched satellites are still in orbit As of 2023[update],the other two having reentered.
History
[edit]On 23 June 1960,Soviet spaceflightengineerSergei Korolev's "big space plan" for the future of Soviet space endeavors was approved by theCentral Committee of the Communist Partyand theCouncil of Soviet Ministers.The plan included provisions for the development of scientific spacecraft to map Earth'sVan Allen radiation belts.[2]
Per decrees on 9 May 1960 and 13 May 1961, the satellites would consist of two identical pairs of spacecraft, the satellites of each pair in differing orbits to map the lower and upper Van Allen Belts simultaneously.[3]The satellites would orbit at higherorbital inclinationsthan those launched by the United States (at an angle of 60 degrees vs. 30 degrees with respect to Earth'sequator). Each pair would be deployed by a singleVostok rocket.Korolev's design bureau,OKB-1,began design work in July.[4]In addition to investigating Earth's natural radiation belts, they were designed to study artificial radiation belts created by high altitudenuclear tests.However, theratificationof thePartial Nuclear Test Ban Treatyin August 1963 ended such tests before the launch of the Elektron satellites.[5]
Spacecraft design
[edit]
Elektron 1 and 3
[edit]Elektron 1 and 3 had design masses of 350 kg (770 lb), were 3.25 metres (10.7 ft) in diameter, and were designed to be placed intoeccentric425 kilometres (264 mi) × 6,000 kilometres (3,700 mi) orbits.[4]They were cylindrical with sixsolar panelswith a combined area of 20 m2for power generation.[3]
The experiment packages for Elektron 1 and 3 were identical, each including a radio frequencymass spectrometer;Geiger counters,scintillation counters,andsemiconductor detectorsfor radiation studies; apiezoelectricmicrometeoroid detector; agalactic radio-noisereceiver, and a radio beacon forionosphericstudies.Telemetryand commands were conveyed via four antennas. The internal environment of the satellites was kept moderated throughthermal louvers.[3]
Elektron 1 ultimately had a mass of 329 kg (725 lb) while Elektron 3 had a mass of 350 kg (770 lb).[4]
Elektron 2 and 4
[edit]Elektron 2 and 4 had design masses of 460 kg (1,010 lb), were 4 metres (13 ft) in diameter and 8.5 metres (28 ft) long, also cylindrical, but with a skirt of solar cells with a combined area of 20 m2for power generation rather than solar panels. The satellites were to be boosted into highly eccentric 450 kilometres (280 mi) × 60,000 kilometres (37,000 mi) orbits to map the outer Van Allen belt while, simultaneously, Elektron 1 and 3 probed the inner radiation belt. To achieve this orbit, Elektron 2 and 4 were each equipped with solid-propellantperigeekick motor of 3,350kgfand 12 to 15 seconds duration.[6]
The experiment packages for Elektron 2 and 4 were also identical, and each included a radio frequency mass spectrometer; Geiger counters, scintillation counters, and semiconductor detectors for radiation studies; a sphericalion trap;two three-axisfluxgate magnetometers;a galactic radio-noise receiver; solar X-rayphotometers;and aCerenkov-scintillatorcosmic-raytelescope. Telemetry and commands were conveyed via four antennas. The internal environment of the satellites was kept moderated through thermal louvers, and the satellite stabilized with the aid of aSun sensor.[3]
Missions
[edit]
Mission 1
[edit]Elektrons 1 and 2 were launched on January 30, 1964, at 09:45:09UTCfromLaunch Complex 1 at Baikonur Space Center(also known as NIIP-5[8]) on a singleVostok 8K72Kcarrier rocket[9]marking the first Soviet multiple satellite launch.[3]The satellites, although launched from Earth together, were released at different stages, and so were able to achieve different orbits. The first satellite was released at a time when the upper stage of the launching rocket was still firing.[5]Elektron 1's initial orbit had a perigee of 406 kilometres (252 mi), an apogee of 7,110 kilometres (4,420 mi), an orbital inclination of 61°, and a period of 169 minutes,[3]an orbit that kept the satellite within Earth's Van Allen Belts.[10]
Elektron 2's orbit took the spacecraft beyond the Earth'smagnetosphereto penetrate theshock waveandturbulentarea marking the Earth'smagnetopause:[10]its initial perigee was 460 kilometres (290 mi), the apogee was 68,000 kilometres (42,000 mi), its orbital inclination was 61°, and its period 1,360 minutes.[3]
Elektron 1 returned usable data as late as October 1964;[11]Elektron 2 as late as May 1964.[12]: 3
Mission 2
[edit]Elektron 3 and 4 were launched on July 11, 1964, at 21:51:02UTCfromLaunch Complex 1 at Baikonur Space Center,again on a single Vostok 8K72K,[9]with identical missions and similar orbits to that of Elektron 1 and 2.[4]Elektron 3's orbit had a perigee of 408 kilometres (254 mi), an apogee of 7,030 kilometres (4,370 mi), an orbital inclination of 61°, and a period of 168 minutes; Elektron 4's orbit had a perigee of 459 kilometres (285 mi), an apogee of 66,100 kilometres (41,100 mi), an orbital inclination of 61°, and a period of 1,314 minutes.[3]
Elektron 3 returned usable data as late as October 1964;[11]: 1 Elektron 4 as late as November 1964.[7]: 2
Legacy and status
[edit]The Elektron satellites returned data that supported more than a dozen technical papers on a variety of subjects including near-Earth magnetic fields, particle distribution, and ionospheric studies,[13]and allowed the assessment of risk to both cosmonauts and satellites from radiation in outer space.[5]The Elektron satellites returned considerable measurements on the make-up of Earth's atmosphere to an altitude of 3,000 kilometres (1,900 mi), including the concentration ofhydrogen,carbon,andoxygenions.[14]: 217 These satellites, along with the concurrentKosmossatellite program, contributed to Soviet prestige, bolstering the impression that the Soviets, like the Americans, were committed to civilian as well as military application of satellites.[15]
In July 1965, Elektron 1 and 2 were displayed among the new exhibits at Kosmos Pavilion in the Soviet exposition on achievements of U.S.S.R's national economy.[14]: 360
Elektron 4 decayed from its orbit on 12 October 1983, and Elektron 2 decayed from its orbit on 20 July 1997.[16]Elektron 1 and 3 remain in orbit As of 2023[update]. [16]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^"Electron 1".NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^Siddiqi, Asaf (1989).Challenge to Apollo(PDF).NASA. pp. 239–240.ISBN5551266508.
- ^abcdefghijWilliam R. Corliss(1967).Scientific Satellites.Washington D.C.: Science and Technical Information Division, Office of Technology Utilization, NASA. pp. 711–3.Retrieved11 May2020.
- ^abcdWade, Mark."Elektron-A".Archived fromthe originalon 25 May 2018.Retrieved28 December2018.
- ^abcSpace Exploration and Humanity: A Historical Encyclopedia [2..., Volume 2.American Astronautical Society. 23 August 2010. p. 162.ISBN9781851095193.Retrieved31 December2018.
- ^Wade, Mark."Elektron-B".Archived fromthe originalon 25 May 2018.Retrieved28 December2018.
- ^abE. A. Benediktov, G. G. Getmantsev N. A. Mityakov, V. 0. Rapoport & A. F. Tarasov (22 January 1969)."On relationship of sporadic radio emission registered on satellites of the" Elektron "series with the geomagnetic activity"(PDF).Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA.Retrieved25 April2020.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^"Baikonur Cosmodrome".The Nuclear Threat Initiative.Retrieved12 May2020.
- ^abJonathan McDowell."Launch Log".Jonathan's Space Report.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^ab"Space Unit Briefed on soviets".Aviation Week and Space Technology.New York: McGraw Hill Publishing Company. 20 April 1964. p. 30.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^abE. E. Mityakova V. A. Cherepovitskiy (28 February 1967)."STATE OF THE IONOSPHERE AFTER THE RESULTS OF SIGNAL OBSERVATIONS FROM,AES ':ELEKTRON-l" AND "ELEKTRON-3""(PDF).Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA.Retrieved25 April2020.
- ^S.N. Vernov, S.. N.. Kuznetsov,Yu. I. Logachev, G. B. Lopatina, E.N. Sosnovetz, V.G. Stolpovskiy (2 August 1968)."RADIAL DIFFUSION OF ELECTRONS WITH ENERGY GREATER THAN 100 KEV IN THE OUTER RADIATION BELT"(PDF).Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA.Retrieved25 April2020.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^"NASA Technical Reports Server (Elektron search)".Retrieved1 January2019.
- ^ab"Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1965"(PDF).NASA.Retrieved24 April2020.
- ^"Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1964"(PDF).NASA. p. 152.Archived(PDF)from the original on 8 January 2019.Retrieved31 December2018.
- ^abJonathan McDowell."Satellite Catalog".Jonathan's Space Report.Retrieved11 February2020.
External links
[edit]- Current orbital information for Elektron 1.heavens-above.com
- Current orbital information for Elektron 3.heavens-above.com
- Detailed experiment descriptions for all Elektron satellites.Aviation Weekly and Space Report
- Elektron-series satellites postal items
- NASA Technical Reports related to Elektron