Re: Skipper
Leo Barhorst (leobarhorst@pi.net)
Sun, 21 Jan 96 21:19:05 PST
In Space News, Dec 13-19, 1993, I've found an article on Skipper.
Apart from the budget problems for a launch in Jan 1995 there are
some mission details.
Skipper is a 240 kg spacecraft carried to space in an empty space in
the Molniya's fourth stage. The prime satellite is Indians IRS-1C.
Skipper derives its name from the fact that it will be placed in an
highly elliptical orbit that reaches as low as 130 km (78 miles) above
the earth. The apogee will be 822 km (490 miles). During those low
passes, the spacecraft would smash into air molecules. Instruments on
board the satellite would detect wether ultaviolet light is produced,
in a bow shock effect akin to the shock wave produced by a ship as it
plows through the water.
After about one week in [these low perigee] orbit the satellite would
re-enter the earth's atmosphere and plunge into the Pacific Ocean.
Utah State University's Space Dynamics laboratory in Logan, Utah is
the prime contractor and has already conducted similar bow shock test
with sub-orbital rockets in April 1990 and February 1991: Bow Shock
Ultraviolet 1 and 2.
These tests showed ultraviolet light are generated by the bow shock,
but tests at higher altitudes and faster speeds needs to be done.
Perhaps some one at Utah State University can give more details.
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Name: Leo Barhorst
E-mail: leobarhorst@pi.net
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