ARGOS (satellite)

ARGOS

Artist's rendition of ARGOS
Mission type Space environment
Operator AFRL
NRL
STP
COSPAR ID 1999-008A
SATCAT № 25634
Mission duration 3 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer Boeing
Launch mass 2,450 kilograms (5,400 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date February 23, 1999, 10:29:55 (1999-02-23UTC10:29:55Z) UTC
Rocket Delta II 7920-10
Launch site Vandenberg SLC-2W
Contractor Boeing
End of mission
Last contact 31 July 2003 (2003-08-01)
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Sun-synchronous
Perigee 828 kilometers (514 mi)
Apogee 842 kilometers (523 mi)
Inclination 98.78 degrees
Period 101.47 minutes
Epoch 5 December 2013, 06:21:33 UTC[1]

The Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS), not to be confused with the Argos System which employs Argos satellites, was launched on 23 Feb 1999 carrying nine payloads for research and development missions by nine separate researchers. The mission terminated on 31 July 2003.

ARGOS was launched from SLC-2W, Vandenberg AFB, CA, atop a Boeing Delta II (7920-10). Construction of the spacecraft bus and integration of the satellite's payloads was accomplished by Boeing at their Seal Beach, CA facility. The program was funded and led by the DoD's Space Test Program (STP) as mission P91-1 (the first STP mission contract awarded in 1991).

The $220M mission was operated by Air Force Space Command's Space and Missile Systems Center's Test and Evaluation Directorate (then Space Development and Test Wing, now SMC's Advanced Systems and Development Directorate)[2] from their RDT&E Support Complex (RSC) at Kirtland AFB, NM. ARGOS was the first mission operated 100% from the new state-of-the-art, commercial-off-the-shelf Kirtland facility; all previous SMC satellite missions had been operated in total or at least in part from the preceding center at Onizuka AFS, CA.

Mission

"The ARGOS satellite will provide a tremendous payoff in critical technologies such as imaging, satellite propulsion and space-based computing. These areas will become important as more and more applications of space are developed," said Colonel Tom Mead, program manager of the DoD Space Test Program.

The ARGOS had a design life of three years and was part of the DoD Space Test Program (STP), which supports the Air Force, Army, Navy, BMDO (now MDA), NASA, and various international space agencies. The nine ARGOS payloads, addressing more than 30 research objectives, conducted upper atmospheric observations and technology demonstrations. These included sensor technology for the International Space Station, as well as three high-priority ultraviolet imaging experiments and an X-ray sensor. The remaining experiments investigate ion propulsion, gas ionization physics, plume detection capabilities, and orbital debris. As part of DOD STP, ARGOS served the need to fly Department of Defense payloads that cannot be flown on the Space Shuttle or aboard small launch vehicles due to complexity, size, mission duration, or other constraints. The Naval Research Laboratory, U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command, Air Force Research Laboratory, and Office of Naval Research have provided payloads for the ARGOS mission.[3]

Per the Kirtland AFB mission control center, "As of 1500 Zulu on 31 July 2003, support of all ARGOS operations has been terminated. Decaying inertial reference units has led to a tumble of the aircraft. As a result, communications with the spacecraft have been lost."

Payloads

"ARGOS will be the largest and most sophisticated research and development satellite Boeing has ever orbited for the Air Force," said Mr Will Hampton, Boeing director of U.S. Air Force Delta Programs.

Experiment (DOD Selective Experiments Review Board Year-Rank/Sponsor):

ARGOS Launch, 23 February 1999 Delta-II (7920-10) SLC-2W, Vandenberg AFB, CA.

Bus characteristics

P91-1 ARGOS,[8] Ørsted (satellite)(SSC #25635) and SUNSAT (satellite; SSC #25636) Mission Book

Orbit characteristics

Liftoff postponements

After about six weeks stacked on the launch pad, and as long for mission crews to report only to replan activities for another night and slightly different time, the rocket and its satellites blasted away from Earth's pull.[11]

See also

References

  1. Peat, Chris (5 December 2013). "ARGOS - Orbit". Heavens Above. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  2. "SMC stands up new Advanced Systems and Development Directorate", 24 November 2014
  3. Turner, J. B., Agardy, F. J., “The Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite Program (ARGOS),” Space Programs and Technologies Conference, Huntsville, AL, Sept 27-29, 1994, AIAA-1994-4580.
  4. Lai, S., Häggström, I., Wannberg, G., Westman, A., Cooke, D., Wright, L., Groves, K., and Pellinen-Wannberg, A., “A Critical Ionization Velocity Experiment on the ARGOS Satellite,” 45th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, Nevada, Jan. 8-11, 2007, AIAA-2007-279.
  5. Press Release USAF, "NEW SPACE PROPULSION SYSTEM FIRED," March 17, 1999.
  6. Sutton, A.M., Bromaghim, D R., Johnson, L K. “Electric Propulsion Space Experiment (ESEX) Flight Qualification and Operations,” Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, 31st, San Diego, CA, July 10–12, 1995, AIAA-1995-2503.
  7. NSSDC Master Catalog Search, NSSDC ID: 1999-008A-02
  8. ARGOS Satellite Serves as Platform for Leading-Edge Technology and Research, 1999.
  9. NSSDC Master Catalog Search, NSSDC/COSPAR ID: 1999-008B
  10. NSSDC Master Catalog Search, NSSDC/COSPAR ID: 1999-008C
  11. D. Seitz, Operations Lead, RDT&E Support Complex
  12. Boeing News Release: Delta II Launch of ARGOS Satellite Scrubbed, 15 January 1999.
  13. Boeing News Release: Launch of ARGOS Spacecraft Postponed, 18 January 1999.
  14. Boeing News Release: Delta II Launch of ARGOS Satellite Rescheduled for Wednesday, 19 January 1999.
  15. Boeing News Release: Delta II Launch of ARGOS Satellite Postponed, 20 January 1999.
  16. Boeing News Release: Weather Postpones Delta II Launch of ARGOS Satellite, 21 Jan 1999.
  17. Boeing News Release: Upper Level Winds Postpone Delta II Launch of ARGOS Satellite, 22 January 1999.
  18. Boeing News Release: Upper Level Winds Postpone Delta II Launch of ARGOS Satellite, 27 January 1999.
  19. Delta II Launch Stopped Due to Engine Ignition Failure, 28 January 1999.
  20. Boeing News Release: Next Delta II Launch Attempt of ARGOS Scheduled for Sunday, 4 February 1999.
  21. Team Memory: Frank and Earnest panel #70170 ran days after this attempt. We contacted the publisher and asked if they heard of our launch attempt; they said no, they just thought the word usage was funny. The Kirtland AFB team purchased a copy of the panel with name ARGOS replacing NASA and gave them as momentoes to the Kirtland AFB launch and early orbit team
  22. Boeing News Release: Delta II Launch of ARGOS Satellite Delayed, 7 February 1999.
  23. Boeing News Release: Winds Postpone Delta II Launch of ARGOS Satellite, 12 February 1999.
  24. Boeing News Release: Delta II Launch of ARGOS Satellite Delayed, 13 February 1999.
  25. Boeing News Release: Delta II Launch of ARGOS Satellite Scheduled for Tuesday, 19 February 1999.
  26. Boeing News Release: Boeing Delta II Boosts Triple Satellite Payload, 23 February 1999.

External links

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