LIVE: Dnepr launch - Prisma (Mango+Tango) and Picard - June 15, 2010

[tonthomas]

So sad... Kosmotras marks a new example for really bad information management in some parts of space industry. Do they think people are so stupid everywhere that no one will recognize?

Thanks Nicolas for the hint.

Thomas

[osiossim]

So sad... Kosmotras marks a new example for really bad information management in some parts of space industry. Do they think people are so stupid everywhere that no one will recognize?

Thanks Nicolas for the hint.

Thomas

Thomas, could you be more spesific?


Prisma launch video here; http://www.1tv.ru/news/techno/156176

[Satori]

Warning !! This picture shows the launch of CryoSat-2 !

This is picture n°75 in my gallery : http://www.kosmonavtika.com/lancements/2010/08042010/08042010photos.html

Oh! Thanks for that Nicolas! probably it womt matter, but I'll send a note about that to Kosmotras. They shouldn't do this kind of bad info.

[tonthomas]

CNES is showing a different launch photo received from Kosmotras there:

http://www.cnes.fr/imagezoom.php?location=public&file=p8589_a2fa690331f41617f30924ebd93bc436Dnepr-29Jun04.jpg&label=Successful+launch+of+the+converted+Dnepr+missile+Tuesday+15+June+from+Yasny%2C+Russia.+Credits%3A+Kosmotras.

The size of the shm imho fits better for prisma/picard related to the rocket body. For cryosat 2 a higher shm was used.

Thomas

[Satori]

CNES is showing a different launch photo received from Kosmotras there:

Thomas

Checking the file name of the photo there is a date there '26Jun04'. This was the launch date of Demeter from Baykonur with Dnepr (4503341631). So, probably this wont also be the launch of Prisma and Picard!

[tonthomas]

Smaller shm, but different launch again. 

Oh, and CNES showed the photo earlier:

http://www.cnes.fr/imagezoom.php?location=public&file=p2362_56e2c2eb9d1d089ee42430cf1a5889c7pr_lancement.jpg&label=Lancement+de+DEMETER.
http://www.cnes.fr/web/CNES-fr/2362-lancement-reussi-pour-demeter-.php

[jan_carlo_bascu]

Maybe this is the only oficcial launch picture, but is a sequence :/

[jan_carlo_bascu]

Another launch video

[Nicolas PILLET]

Maybe this is the only oficcial launch picture, but is a sequence :/

Your picture is named "lancement_demeter", which means "launch of Demeter" ! 

[Nicolas PILLET]

I think there is a chance that this picture (found on NKAUs website) is a real picture of this launch.

http://www.nkau.gov.ua/nsau/newsnsau.nsf/mainsubjectsU/3D8FEE31D212FFD6C2257743005533DB?openDocument&Lang=U

[Nicolas PILLET]

According to this page, BPA-1's goal is to test technologies for the Tsyklon-4 future launcher.

http://www.nkau.gov.ua/NSAU/catalognew.nsf/zapuskbydataU!searchview&SearchOrder=4&query=%28field%20RN%20contains%20%D0%94%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%BF%D1%80%29

[tonthomas]

I think there is a chance that this picture (found on NKAUs website) is a real picture of this launch.

http://www.nkau.gov.ua/nsau/newsnsau.nsf/mainsubjectsU/3D8FEE31D212FFD6C2257743005533DB?openDocument&Lang=U

No, I don´t think so. Shm too large. PRISMA/PICARD shm also is coloured green (see http://www.prismasatellites.se/?id=9005&cid=9005&date=2010-06). May be the launch of Cryosat 2 again with it´s larger, green and black coloured shm...

Thomas

[osiossim]

http://sverigesradio.se/cgi-bin/International/nyhetssidor/amnessida.asp?programID=2054&Nyheter=0&grupp=3576&artikel=3830603

What now? 

[Space Pete]

Prisma Satellites: "Tango Separation Successful".
www.prismasatellites.se/target-separation.aspx

Swedish Space Corporation: "The Swedish Prisma satellites have separated".
www.ssc.se/?id=5104&cid=17201

[Space Pete]

PRISMA: DLR experiment on autonomous satellite formation flight begins.

The primary objective of the Swedish satellite mission PRISMA is to demonstrate autonomous onboard control of satellite formation flying and close approach to other spacecraft. The German Aerospace Centre's (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) involvement in the project includes an innovative real-time navigation system that uses GPS measurements to present continuous, ultra-precise data on positions of the satellites and their relative separation. The first DLR experiment began on 29 September 2010, after the first project phase was completed. The primary feature is the commencement of autonomous formation flight.

"Autonomous formation flight will enable new scientific missions and autonomous rendezvous operations in the future. Rendezvous operations are a major prerequisite for orbital inspection and servicing missions," explains Professor Felix Huber, Director of DLR Space Operations and Astronaut Training.

Expertise sourced from Oberpfaffenhofen.

The two satellites, named Mango and Tango, were launched on 15 June 2010 and were initially mated together. After successful separation, they orbited Earth following closely linked paths, moving further apart and closer together. This gives the team of researchers the world's first system for testing different processes in autonomous formation flight and satellite rendezvous. The project uses a number of different measurement systems and a propulsion system that controls the path of the larger satellite Mango in relation to its smaller partner, Tango.

The GPS receiver used in the navigation system, developed by DLR's German Space Operations Center in Oberpfaffenhofen (GSOC), is barely the size of a credit card. GSOC also developed the entire Guidance, Navigation and Control System. Data from the Tango GPS receiver is sent to the main satellite, Mango. By comparing them with the GPS data from the receiver on Mango, the distance between the satellites can be determined to within 10 centimetres, in real time. Mango can use this information to control its path in relation to Tango with absolute precision, and autonomously follow a pre-set flight path.

As part of its ground segment role for the PRISMA mission, GSOC is responsible for precise orbit determination. This has an accuracy in the centimetre range, a prerequisite for setting and checking the other measurement systems.

PRISMA – a twin-pack around Earth.

The PRISMA mission was designed and implemented by the Swedish Space Corporation, SSC, which was responsible for developing and building the satellites, and is currently overseeing the project operation. Along with DLR, the French space agency, CNES, and the Danish Technical University are involved in the mission as international partners, with their formation flight sensor and approach navigation camera system.

The partners will test a number of different formation flight and rendezvous concepts using PRISMA over the next few weeks and months. When the first experiment is completed and evaluated, DLR will carry out further technology experiments in satellite guidance, navigation and control. The autonomous formation flight processes developed excel in their particularly high level of safety and minimal fuel consumption. Future radar satellites or missions to measure Earth's gravity field are just two examples of endeavours that could benefit from this work.

A further important step in the PRISMA mission will be when GSOC takes over operational control in spring 2011. Then, DLR will be engaged in key operations for both space and ground segments. A long-term objective of this involvement is to prepare and test rendezvous and docking manoeuvres that will be required for on-orbit servicing missions or, more generally, in space robotics.


www.dlr.de/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-1/86_read-26824/