K-Gray Engineering Pathway Digital Library - Engineering Education Wing of the NSDL

Ariane trifecta: Lunar probe, two other satellites launched

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Audience/Grade: College Freshman - Continuing Education
Discipline(s): Aerospace Engineering
Learning Resource Type: Reference - Article/Document
Media Type:

 WWW
Author(s): Justin Ray
Organization: Space Flight Now
Description: News article of September 27, 2003. Excerpt: "Relying upon an experimental ion engine and miniaturized instruments, Europe's first robotic lunar orbiter has launched to study the Moon's history while serving as a technology testbed for future missions. The Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology 1 spacecraft, or SMART 1, shared the ride into space Saturday with two communications satellites aboard a European Ariane 5 rocket. Liftoff from the Guiana Space Center on South America's northeast coast occurred at 2314:46 GMT (7:14:46 p.m. EDT), nearly 13 minutes late to adjust the amount of cryogenic propellants in the rocket's main stage in an effort to "tune" the Vulcain 1 engine for the mission. The Indian Insat 3E and Eutelsat e-Bird communications craft were stacked atop SMART 1 for the ascent. After a 27-minute powered flight, the Ariane 5 achieved its planned geosynchronous transfer orbit, reaching a high point of 35,935 km for the target of 35,873 km, a low point of 649.5 km for a target of 648.7 km and inclination right on the mark at 7.01 degrees to the equator. "Bravo to this superb success," Jean-Yves Le Gall, the chief executive officer of Arianespace, told those gathered in the control room. "Judging by the precise orbit for SMART 1, it is well on its way to the Moon."
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Keywords: Arianne-5, lunar exploration, SMART-1, Ariane 5
   
Usage Tip
Use of Resource: Useful images. History of technology.
Difficulty: Easy
Interactivity Level: Low

   
Version Info
Publication Date: 2003
Platform/Format: WWW
Cost: Free
Download URL: http://spaceflightnow.com/ariane/v162/
Metadata: IEEE LOM Record
Collection: NEEDS NEEDS