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.
Mission Analysis of the Astronomical Netherlands Satellite
1974
32 pages
Report
No indication
English
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