Operations of the P78-2 spacecraft and its 12 payloads, which attempt to measure the buildup and breakdown of charge on various spacecraft components and to characterize the natural environment at synchronous altitudes, are summarized. Launch procedures, orbit alignment, and eclipse seasons are reviewed. The spacecraft configuration and subsystems are described. Catastrophic payload failures are reported: the SC6 (AFGL Thermal Plasma Analyzer) failed due to an excessive power draw in the electron step generator. The SC7 (NASA/MSFC Light Ion Mass Spectrometer) internal power supply failed. Lesser payload failures, including SC2 probe biasing, SC4-1 pulsed mode, and SC4-2 neutralizer are discussed.
Operational status of the space test program P78-2 spacecraft and payloads
1980-10-01
Conference paper
No indication
English
The Payloads for Small Spacecraft
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996
|SOHO Mate Spacecraft to Payloads
NTRS | 1995
Design noise out of spacecraft payloads.
NTRS | 1968
|