FAS | Space | Guide | Russia | Science | Solar System ||||| Index | Search |

Sun

On a more positive note, after several years of delays the Russian Federation in conjunction with the Ukrainian Space Agency launched the first of two planned KORONAS (Complex Orbital Near-Earth Observations of Activity of the Sun) Earth-orbiting solar observatories. KORONAS-I was launched on 2 March 1994 by a Tsyklon-3 booster from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and inserted into an orbit of 487 km by 528 km at an inclination of 82.5 degrees. The foci of the KORONAS-I investigations are solar neutrino emissions (via helioseismology) and the structure of the high temperature regions of the solar atmosphere. The principal scientific instruments included the TEREK-C multi-channel imaging telescope and chronograph, the GELIKON and DIOGENESS solar flare analyzers, the IRIS solar flare spectrometer, the AVS solar gammaray detector, the SUFR-SP-K radiometer and the VUSS spectrometer for ultraviolet investigations, the DIFOS solar optical photometer, and the SKL cosmic ray spectrometer.

The KORONAS-I spacecraft is the first use of the new Ukrainian AUOS-SM-AI platform, designed and manufactured by the Yuzhnoye Scientific Production Association. The original AUOS (Automatic Universal Orbital Station) platform has been in use since 1976. The 2,300 kg spacecraft includes 410 kg for the scientific instruments. KORONAS-I has a diameter of 2.3 m and a height of 5.0 m with a total span of 12.8 m with all solar panels and antennas deployed. The 3-axis stabilized spacecraft is the first AUOS spacecraft to be solar-oriented. The launch of the sister KORONAS-F spacecraft has been delayed indefinitely. In addition to Russian and Ukrainian support, the KORONAS program has enjoyed the participation of Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, France, and the US. The mission design life is 6-7 years (References 212-219).

Another proposed application of the small Regatta spacecraft is the SAPS (Solar Activity Patrol System) project, previously known as SPAS (Solar Patrol and Alert Satellite). The purpose of the system, with one or more Regatta spacecraft in a halo orbit about the L1 libration point between the Earth and the Sun (1.5 million km from Earth), is to provide warning of approaching solar phenomenon. Specifically, realtime notification of solar flares and proton events, half-hour warning of approaching solar wind shock wave, and shortterm forecasts of solar activity are the program objectives. To date, no formal program approval has been made (References 220-221).

REFERENCES

212. I. Lisov, Novosti Kosmonavtiki, 26 February- 11 March 1994, pp. 29-32.

213 V. Romanenkova, Segodnya, 3 March 1994, p. 9.

214. ITAR-TASS News Agency, 14 June 1993 and 1-2 March 1994.

215. S. Leskov, Izvestiya, 30 May 1992, p. 1.

216. I. Sobelman, et al, CORONAS Information, publication series, Astrophysical Institute Potsdam.

217. V. Orayevskiy, Pravda, 22 October 1990, p. 6.

218. Ja. Buzashy, et al, Astronomicheskiy Zhurnal, June 1992, pp. 537-540.

219. V.I. Dranovski and E.I. Ouvarov, "Investigation of High Efficient Solar Energy Concentrators with the Help of the Soviet Automatic Universal Orbital Station (AUOS-SM)", Paper IAF-90-217, 41st Congress ofthe International Astronautical Federation, 1990.

220. SPAS Mission (Preliminary Announcement), USSR Academy of Sciences' Institute of Space Research, undated.

221. G.A. Avanesov, "Global Information System Using Solar 'Storm' Warning Signals", Proceedings of the International Conference on Satellite Communications ICSC '94, 18-21 October 1994, Vol.1, pp. 228-231.

Sources and Resources

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

FAS | Space | Guide | Russia | Science | Solar System ||||| Index | Search |