OV1-2

Last updated
OV1-2
Ov1-1.jpg
OV1 series satellite
Mission type Earth science
Operator USAF
COSPAR ID 1965-078A OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
SATCAT no. 01613 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer General Dynamics
Launch mass86 kg (190 lb) with Altair
Start of mission
Launch date5 Oct 1965 09:07:08 (1965-10-05UTC09:07:08) UTC
Rocket Atlas D
Launch site Vandenberg 576-B-3 [1]
End of mission
Last contactAug 1967
Orbital parameters
Regime Medium Earth Orbit
Eccentricity 0.18393
Perigee altitude 403.00 km (250.41 mi)
Apogee altitude 3,462.00 km (2,151.19 mi)
Inclination 144.300°
Period 125.58 minutes [2]
Epoch 1965-10-05 08:20:00
OV1
←  OV1-3
OV1-4  →
 

Orbiting Vehicle 1-2 (also known as OV1-2), launched 5 October 1965, was the third, and first successful, satellite in the OV1 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. A radiation measuring satellite designed to conduct research for the planned Manned Orbital Laboratory project, OV1-2 was the first American spacecraft to be placed into orbit on a western (retrograde to Earth's rotation) trajectory. The satellite stopped functioning in April 1967 after a series of technical problems starting two months after launch.

Contents

History

Lt. Col. Clyde Northcott, Jr. , OV1 program manager Lt. Col. Clyde Northcott, Jr. , OV1 program manager.jpg
Lt. Col. Clyde Northcott, Jr. , OV1 program manager

The Orbiting Vehicle satellite program arose from a US Air Force initiative, begun in the early 1960s, to reduce the expense of space research. Through this initiative, satellites would be standardized to improve reliability and cost-efficiency, and where possible, they would fly on test vehicles or be piggybacked with other satellites. In 1961, the Air Force Office of Aerospace Research (OAR) created the Aerospace Research Support Program (ARSP) to request satellite research proposals and choose mission experiments. The USAF Space and Missiles Organization created their own analog of the ARSP called the Space Experiments Support Program (SESP), which sponsored a greater proportion of technological experiments than the ARSP. [3] : 417  Five distinct OV series of standardized satellites were developed under the auspices of these agencies. [3] : 425 

The OV1 series was an evolution of the 2.7 m "Scientific Passenger Pods" (SPP), which, starting on 2 October 1961, rode piggyback on suborbital Atlas missile tests and conducted scientific experiments during their short time in space. General Dynamics received a $2 million contract on 13 September 1963 to build a new version of the SPP (called the Atlas Retained Structure (ARS)) that would carry a self-orbiting satellite. Once the Atlas missile and ARS reached apogee, the satellite inside would be deployed and thrust itself into orbit. In addition to the orbital SPP, General Dynamics would create six of these satellites, each to be 3.66 m (12.0 ft) long with a diameter of .762 m (2 ft 6.0 in), able to carry a 136 kg (300 lb) payload into a circular 805 km (500 mi) orbit.

Dubbed "Satellite for Aerospace Research" (SATAR), the series of satellites was originally to be launched from the Eastern Test Range on Atlas missions testing experimental Advanced Ballistic Re-Entry System (ABRES) nosecones. However, in 1964, the Air Force transferred ABRES launches to the Western Test Range causing a year's delay for the program. Moreover, because WTR launches would be into polar orbit as opposed to the low-inclination orbits typical of ETR launches, less mass could be lofted into orbit using the same thrust, and the mass of the SATAR satellites had to be reduced. [3] : 417  The OV1 program was managed by Lt. Col. Clyde Northcott, Jr. [4]

The first OV1 satellite to be launched was OV1-1 on January 21, 1965. Though OV1-1's Atlas booster performed properly, the satellite's onboard Altair rocket did not fire, and the probe was lost. OV1-1 was the only satellite launched on an ABRES mission. Starting with OV1-3, launched and lost May 27, 1965, the remaining OV1 satellites all flew on Atlas D and F missiles that had been decommissioned from ICBM duty (except OV1-6, which flew on the Manned Orbiting Laboratory test flight on 2 November 1966). [3] : 418–422 

Spacecraft design

OV1-2 was, like the rest of the OV1 satellite series, 1.387 m (4 ft 6.6 in) long and .69 m (2 ft 3 in) in diameter, consisting of a cylindrical experiment housing capped with flattened cones on both ends [5] containing 5000 solar cells producing 22 watts of power. Two .46 m (1 ft 6 in) antennae for transmitting telemetry and receiving commands extended from the sides of the spacecraft. 12 helium-pressurized hydrogen peroxide thrusters provided attitude control. [3] : 418  OV1-2 weighed, with its attached Altair booster, 86 kg (190 lb). [6]

Though the OV1 series was designed to be nose-launched from its carrying rocket, the prior OV1-1 and OV1-3 flights had used side-mounted ARS. Starting with OV1-2, all of the OV1 series was nose-launched (with the exception of the side-launched OV1-86). [7] : 38  The two other experiments included an interferometer and another radiometer to map the Earth in the near-infrared spectrum. [7] : 34  Also, the OV1-2 flight tested the back-to-back launch configuration under which two OV1 satellites would be carried on the same rocket, although on this mission, the OV1-2 flew alone. [8]

Experiments

OV1-2 carried a six experiment package, sponsored by the Biophysics Group of the Air Force Weapons Laboratory to conduct radiation studies in orbit in support of the Manned Orbital Laboratory project. The data collected would be compared to theoretical radiation doses predicted by computer programs on the ground to verify the utility of their models. The experiment package included two tissue-equivalent ion counters and shielded proton-electron dosimeters, a magnetometer, an X-ray detector, and a proton-electron spectrometer. [3] : 419 

Mission

Atlas D with OV1-2 Atlas D OV1 with OV1-2 1965-10-05.gif
Atlas D with OV1-2

Launched from Vandenberg's 576-B-3 launch pad at 5 October 1965 09:07:08 UTC via Atlas D rocket, [1] OV1-2 was the first OV1 series satellite to mounted in the nose of the launcher rather than the side-mounted ARS, which instead carried a simulated payload for engineering purposes. [3] : 419  The satellite was the first to be launched into a retrograde (Western facing) orbit. [9] Upon release from its carrier, OV1-2 tumbled around the Earth, the period of the tumble slowly varying but in the tens of seconds. Though the spacecraft performed normally at first, OV1-2's onboard clock failed on December 1, 1965, this closely followed by the failure of the on-board tape recorder (which allowed data to be stored and transmitted later) on January 13, 1966. Real-time operations were carried out in a limited fashion until total spacecraft failure in April 1967. [2]

Legacy and status

Despite its short lifespan, the data OV1-2 returned on the effectiveness of shielding against radiation doses was significant. [10] OV1-2's radiation data also helped verify various models of the interaction of the Sun and Earth's magnetic fields. [11] [12] This data, along with ones describing the results of similar devices on OV1-12, energized interest in further study of the radial diffusion of electrons and protons in orbit [13] (i.e. the rate at which they migrate to different heights above the Earth). [14]

As of 25 September 2020, OV1-2 is still in orbit, and its position can be tracked on-line. [15] The OV1 program ultimately comprised 22 missions, the last flying on 19 September 1971. [3] : 421 

Related Research Articles

Orbiting Vehicle American satellite family

Orbiting Vehicle or OV, originally designated SATAR, comprised five disparate series of standardized American satellites operated by the US Air Force, launched between 1965 and 1971. Forty seven satellites were built, of which forty three were launched and thirty seven reached orbit. With the exception of the OV3 series and OV4-3, they were launched as secondary payloads, using excess space on other missions. This resulted in extremely low launch costs and short proposal-to-orbit times. Typically, OV satellites carried scientific and/or technological experiments, 184 being successfully orbited through the lifespan of the program.

OV1-1 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1-1, was the first satellite in the OV1 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. OV1-1 was an American Earth science research satellite designed to measure radiation, micrometeoroid density, and magnetic fields in orbit. Launched 21 January 1965, the mission resulted in failure when, after a successful launch of its Atlas booster, OV1-1's onboard Altair motor failed to fire.

OV1-3 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1-3, was the second satellite in the OV1 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. OV1-3 was an American life science research satellite designed to measure the effects of orbital radiation on the human body. Launched 28 May 1965, the mission resulted in failure when its Atlas booster exploded two minutes after launch.

OV2-3 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 2-3, the second satellite of the second series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program, was an American solar astronomy, geomagnetic and particle science research satellite. Launched 22 December 1965 along with three other satellites, the mission resulted in failure when the spacecraft failed to separate from the upper stage of its Titan IIIC.

OV1-4 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1-4, launched 30 Mar 1966, was the fourth, and second successful, satellite in the OV1 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. OV1-4 was a long-term bioscience and materials science satellite, designed to return data relevant to long-term human presence in space. Its launch marked the first time two satellites were placed into orbit side by side with each other.

OV1-5 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1-5 was launched 30 Mar 1966, and was the fifth satellite in the OV1 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. OV1-5 conducted optical experiments, surveying the Earth in the infrared spectrum to see if water, land, mountains and deserts could be distinguished by their thermal gradients. It was launched concurrently with OV1-4 in the first ever side-by-side satellite orbital deployment.

OV3-1 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 3-1, launched 22 April 1966, was the first satellite in the OV3 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. The satellite measured radiation above the Earth, returning useful data for over a year. It is still in orbit as of 1 April 2021.

OV3-4 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 3-4, launched 10 June 1966, was the second satellite to be launched in the OV3 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. The satellite measured radiation above the Earth, helping to determine the hazard posed to human spaceflight at typically traveled altitudes. OV3-4 is still in orbit as of 6 June 2021.

OV2-5 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 2-5, the third and last satellite of the second series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program, was an American particle science and ionosphere research satellite. Launched 26 September 1968 along with three other satellites, OV2-5 became the first scientific satellite to operate at geosynchronous altitude.

OV1-7 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1-7, launched 14 July 1966, was the sixth satellite launched in the OV1 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. OV1-7 was a sky science satellite, designed to return data on charged particles in orbit as well as measurements of solar X-rays and nightglow. Co-launched with OV1-8, the satellite was lost when it failed to detach from its launch rocket.

OV1-8 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1-8, launched 14 July 1966, was the seventh satellite launched in the OV1 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. OV1-8 was designed to test the passive communications utility of an aluminum grid sphere versus a balloon satellite.

OV3-3 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 3-3, launched 4 August 1966, was the third satellite to be launched in the OV3 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. The satellite measured charged particles in orbit so that their danger to space-based payloads could be assessed. OV3-3 is still in orbit as of 29 July 2021.

OV3-2 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 3-2, launched 28 October 1966, was the fourth satellite to be launched in the OV3 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. The satellite measured charged particles in orbit, mapping irregularities in the ionosphere, particularly the auroral zone. OV3-2 reentered the Earth's atmosphere on 29 September 1971.

OV1-6 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1-6 was launched via Titan IIIC rocket into orbit 2 November 1966 along with two other satellites in the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle series on the first and only Manned Orbiting Laboratory test flight. The eighth satellite in the OV1 series to be launched, OV1-6 was designed to release a number of inflatable spheres, which would then be used in classified tracking experiments conducted on the ground. It is uncertain whether or not the satellite successfully released any of its spheres. OV1-6 reentered the Earth's atmosphere on 31 December 1966.

OV1-9 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1-9, launched 11 December 1966 along with OV1-10, was the ninth satellite in the OV1 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. OV1-9 recorded low frequency radio emissions and particle radiation in Earth's exosphere; the satellite also collected data on the impact of long-term radiation on biological samples and tissue equivalents. OV1-9 returned the first proof that Earth has an electric field.

OV1-10 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1-10, launched 11 December 1966 along with OV1-9, was the tenth satellite in the OV1 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program. Designed to observe atmospheric airglow, X-ray and cosmic radiation, OV1-10 returned significant data on the Sun as well as on geophysical phenomena in Earth's magnetic field. OV1-10 reentered Earth's atmosphere on 30 November 2002.

OV3-5 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 3-5, launched 31 January 1967, was the fifth satellite to be launched in the OV3 series of the United States Air Force's Orbiting Vehicle program.

OV1-86 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1-86 was a satellite launched 27 July 1967 to measure the temperature radiation properties of different types of terrain. Part of the OV1 series of USAF satellites, using standardized designs and sent to orbit on decomissioned Atlas ICBMs to reduce development and launching costs, OV1-86 was launched with two other satellites in the series, OV1-11 and OV1-12, in the first triple launch of the program. It was the only OV1 satellite to be cobbled together from two of its sister satellites, utilizing the unused body on OV1-8 and the unused propulsion module on OV1-6. OV1-86's was only partially successful due to the failure of its Vertistat gravity-gradient_stabilization system. The satellite reentered the Earth's atmosphere on 22 February 1972.

OV1-11 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1-11 was a satellite launched 27 July 1967 to study a range of environmental conditions in the upper atmosphere. Part of the OV1 series of USAF satellites, using standardized designs and sent to orbit on decomissioned Atlas ICBMs to reduce development and launching costs, OV1-12 was launched with two other satellites in the series, OV1-12 and OV1-86, in the first triple launch of the program.was an American satellite. The satellite was lost during launch when its onboard propulsion module failed.

OV1-12 US Air Force satellite

Orbiting Vehicle 1–12 was a satellite launched 27 July 1967 to measure the radiation hazard posed by solar flares. Part of the OV1 series of USAF satellites, using standardized designs and sent to orbit on decomissioned Atlas ICBMs to reduce development and launching costs, OV1-12 was launched with two other satellites in the series, OV1-11 and OV1-86, in the first triple launch of the program. Only partially successful due to an inability to remain stable in orbit, the satellite reentered the Earth's atmosphere on 22 July 1980.

References

  1. 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "OV1-2". NASA. Retrieved 26 Sep 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Powell, Joel W.; Richards, G.R. (1987). "The Orbiting Vehicle Series of Satellites". Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. Vol. 40. London: British Interplanetary Society.
  4. ↑ "The OV1-Promoter of timely space research". Proceedings of the OAR Research Applications Conference, 14 March 1967. Washington D.C.: Officer of Aerospace Research, United States Air Force. 1967.
  5. ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "OV1" . Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  6. ↑ William R. Corliss (1967). Scientific Satellites. Washington D.C.: Science and Technical Information Division, Office of Technology Utilization, NASA. pp. 770–1. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  7. 1 2 Donald A Guidice (26 January 1971). Investigation of the 60 GHz Atmospheric Oxygen Mantle for Application to Vertical Sensing (Report). Air Force Systems Command, United States Air Force. OCLC   1086366932.
  8. ↑ Jos Heyman (September 2010). "Intel... The Orbiting Vehicle Series (OV1)". MilsatMagazine. Satnews. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  9. ↑ "Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1965" (PDF). NASA. p. 461. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  10. ↑ "Aerospace Research Support Program". TRW Space Log. Vol. 5, no. 2 No. 4. Winter 1965–66. p. 15.
  11. ↑ Friedman, Herbert (1968). "The Solar XUV Spectrum". The Astronomical Journal. 73: 61. Bibcode:1968AJS....73R..61F . Retrieved 25 Sep 2020.
  12. ↑ Farley, T. A.; Tomassian, A. D.; Chapman, M. C. (1969). "Evaluation of the CRAND Source for 10- to 50-Mev trapped protons". Journal of Geophysical Research. 74 (19): 4721. Bibcode:1969JGR....74.4721F. doi:10.1029/JA074i019p04721 . Retrieved 26 Sep 2020.
  13. ↑ Semiannual Report NASA Research Grant NGT 05-007-004 For the Period January 1, 1969 - June 30, 1969 Part I (PDF) (Report). 1969. p. 8.
  14. ↑ Solène Lejosne (June 2019). "Analytic Expressions for Radial Diffusion". Journal of Geophysical Research and Space Physics. 124 (6): 4278–4294. doi:10.1029/2019JA026786. PMC   6662234 . PMID   31360623.
  15. ↑ "OV1-2" . Retrieved 25 Sep 2020.
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