Space Technology Research Vehicle
| Mission type | experimental |
|---|---|
| Operator | UK Ministry of Defence |
| COSPAR ID | 1A:1994-034B 1B:1994-034C 1C:2000-072C 1D:2000-072D |
| SATCATno. | 1A:23125[1] 1B:23126[1] 1C:26610[2] 1D:26611[2] |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | DRA |
| Launch mass | 1A&1B:50 kg (110 lb) each 1C&1D:100 kg (220 lb) each |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 1A&1B:07:07:19, 17 June 1994 (UTC) 1C&1D:01:07, 16 November 2000 (UTC) |
| Rocket | 1A&1B:Ariane 44LP 1C&1D:Ariane 5 |
| Launch site | Guiana Space Center |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Perigee altitude | 1A&1B:284 km (176 mi) 1C&1D:615 km (382 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 1A&1B:35,831 km (22,264 mi) 1C&1D:39,269 km (24,401 mi) |
| Inclination | 1A&1B:7.1° 1C&1D:6.4° |
| Period | 1A&1B:633 min 1C&1D:708 min |
Space Technology Research Vehicle,orSTRV,was a series of Britishmicrosatelliteswhich operated in elliptical orbits around the Earth. The satellites were built by theDefence Research AgencyatFarnborough,for theUK Ministry of Defence.[3]
Mission
[edit]The series of four satellites, launched as two pairs, were designed to test new technologies in the harsh radiation environment of a geostationary transfer orbit. Each satellite had an expected 1 year life-time and carries myriad detectors, sensors and other equipment for a variety of organisations including the UK MoD,ESAand the US Department of Defense. The satellites were controlled from the DRA groundstation at Lasham in the UK.[3]Several of the STRV satellites' experiments also recorded proton and electron data as they repeatedly passed through theVan Allen Belts.[4]
Payloads
[edit]Two satellites were launched in June 1994 and another two were launched in November 2000, from the space center inFrench Guiana.[5]
STRV 1A & 1B
[edit]STRV 1AandSTRV 1Bare cube-shaped micro-satellites each with a mass of 50 kg. They were launched into orbit to test new solar cells and measure static charge on its surfaces.[6]
STRV 1C & 1D
[edit]STRV 1CandSTRV 1Dare cube-shaped micro-satellite each with a mass of 100 kg and carry test technology devices includinglithium ionbatteries and aGPSreceiver.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ab"International Designator 1994-034".Celestrak.Retrieved22 June2020.
- ^ab"International Designator 2000-072".Celestrak.Retrieved22 June2020.
- ^ab"STRV 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D".Gunter's Space Page.Retrieved25 June2012.
- ^"STRV Satellites Ready for Launch".About.Retrieved26 June2012.
- ^"Sat Cat".Celestrak.Retrieved25 June2012.
- ^ab"SPACEWARN Bulletin 565".NASA.Retrieved26 June2012.
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