A preflight mission analysis of the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite (ANS) is presented, and first results of flight performance are reported. After the in-orbit checkout phase, the ANS appeared to be functioning well and had already collected scientific data for the three onboard experiments: UV, soft, and hard X-ray experiments. The orbit attained differs significantly from the planned sun-synchronous twilight orbit so that the X-ray experiments are affected considerably by the radiation belts. The acquisition phase, including yo-yo despin, was terminated well within the time allocated. Various attitude control maneuvers and limit cycle behavior followed closely preflight predictions. The X-ray pointing mode proved unfeasible due to high background interference in the hard X-ray detectors. It appears that the ANS can fulfill its mission objectives although, due to the attained orbit, this may require more time than originally anticipated.


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    Title :

    Mission Analysis of the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite


    Contributors:
    W. H. Deleeuw (author) / A. Pouw (author)

    Publication date :

    1974


    Size :

    32 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English





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