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Regatta-Astro

A much more modest alternative to Lomonosov has been proposed under the Regatta--Astro program. As noted, the Regatta series of small spacecraft( 230 kg payloads) are being developed by the institute of Space Research to perform a variety of space science investigations. The Regatta-Astro mission is specifically designed to conduct astrometric and radiometric observations stars and other celestial bodies. Unlike Lomonosov, Regatta-Astro would forsake the relative stability of a L2 halo orbit for a quasi-satellite orbit with an inclination of 10 degrees to the eliptic and varying ranges from Earth of 2-10 million kilometers. In orbit the approximately 575-kg Regatta spacecraft would exhibit a height of 2.75-3 m and a diameter across the solar sail and solar rudders of 6-9 m (References 319-322).

In early 1991 an operational period for Regatta-Astro of 1994-1997 was proposed, but the current status of the project is unclear. If successful, a second Regatta-Astro could be flown with more precise observational instrumentation. Plans for similar Regatta missions concentrating on thermal IR (2-7 µm) with a spatial resolution of six minutes and on radiometric mapping in the 1.0, 1.5, and 3.0 mm wavebands with a spatial resolution of at least 0.5 minutes have also been devised. These latter missions would also employ quasi-satellite orbits like Regatta-Astro.

319. G. A. Avanesov, et al, "Small Space Lab - The Regatta Project Spacecraft", Paper IAF-90-431, 41st Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, October 1990.

320. "Regatta Ready To Sail", Spaceflight, June 1991, p.191.

321. A. Yu. Kogan, "Quasi-Satellite Orbits and Their Applications", Paper IAF-90-307, 41st Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, October 1990.

322. G.A. Avanesov, Zemlya I Vselennaya, January-February 1991, pp. 3-8.

Sources and Resources

• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

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