Session
Technical Session I: Hardware in Orbit
Abstract
An overview of the third operational Pegasus mission, carrying the Brazilian Satelite de Coleta de Dados 1 (SCD1) satellite is presented. Developed by INPE, the 250 Ib, spin stabilized satellite will perform real time repeating of environmental data gathered by automatic ground stations throughout Brazil. The target orbit, 405 nm (750 km) at 25 deg inclination, was chosen to provide coverage of the entire Brazilian territory. A review of the SCD1 design, development and testing highlights the effectiveness of lightsat philosophy complemented by pc-based check-out and control equipment. A six month schedule from go-ahead to launch was achieved in spite of delays. Simple and effective hardware and interfaces allowed a straightforward, efficient and relatively short payload integration and test process. Mission planning addressed complex operations, including a cross country ferry flight, ground operations significantly removed from the control room, and a first time east coast Pegasus launch from a new range. A review of the flight results includes flight environments and final Pegasus guidance and performance results.
Overview of the SCD1/Pegasus Mission
An overview of the third operational Pegasus mission, carrying the Brazilian Satelite de Coleta de Dados 1 (SCD1) satellite is presented. Developed by INPE, the 250 Ib, spin stabilized satellite will perform real time repeating of environmental data gathered by automatic ground stations throughout Brazil. The target orbit, 405 nm (750 km) at 25 deg inclination, was chosen to provide coverage of the entire Brazilian territory. A review of the SCD1 design, development and testing highlights the effectiveness of lightsat philosophy complemented by pc-based check-out and control equipment. A six month schedule from go-ahead to launch was achieved in spite of delays. Simple and effective hardware and interfaces allowed a straightforward, efficient and relatively short payload integration and test process. Mission planning addressed complex operations, including a cross country ferry flight, ground operations significantly removed from the control room, and a first time east coast Pegasus launch from a new range. A review of the flight results includes flight environments and final Pegasus guidance and performance results.
