Operations

In Space

Moral, Miraflor, de Vera

What is
Operations in Space ?
 Power
 Orientation
 Heat Dissapation
 Cosmic Radiation and
Micrometeoroid Protection
 Power

A satellite provides its own power for the duration of its mission, which can
extend to ten years or more. The most common source of power for Earth-
orbiting satellites is a combination of solar cells with a battery backup. Solar
cells need to be large enough to provide the power that the satellite requires.
For example, the solar array of the complex Hubble Space Telescope is about
290 sq m in area and generates about 5,500 watts of electricity, while the solar
array of a smaller Global Positioning System satellite is about 4.6 sq m in area
and generates about 700 watts of electricity. Solar cells are often mounted on
wing like panels that unfold from the body of the satellite after it reaches its
final orbit. Batteries provide power before the solar panels are deployed and
when sunlight does not reach the solar panels.
Orientation

A satellite’s orientation is the direction each of its sides faces. The satellite keeps the solar
panels pointed toward the Sun. In addition, the satellite’s antennas and sensors point
toward Earth or toward the object the satellite is observing. For example, communications
and weather satellites have antennas and cameras pointed earthward, while space
telescopes are pointed toward the astronomical objects that scientists wish to study.
Methods of maintaining orientation include small rocket engines, known as attitude
thrusters; large spinning wheels that turn the satellite; and magnets that interact with
Earth’s magnetic field to correctly orient the satellite. Attitude thrusters can make large
changes to orientation quickly, but they are not the best solution when the stability of the
turn is critical. Attitude thrusters also require fuel, so the lifetime of the satellite depends on
a limited supply of fuel for the thrusters. A spinning wheel on a satellite acts as a gyroscope.
The rotational motion of the wheel makes the satellite stay in one orientation, and changing
the rotational motion will cause the satellite to turn. Spinning wheels and magnets are
slower than thrusters but are excellent for attitude stability and require only electric power.
Heat Dissapation

As it orbits Earth, a satellite encounters intense heat and intense cold as it

alternately faces or is hidden from the Sun. The electronic equipment on
the satellite also creates heat that can cause damage. On Earth, convection,
conduction, or radiation of heat can transfer heat. With no air flowing over
the satellite to transfer heat by convection and no body to which the
satellite can conduct heat, the satellite must radiate heat to control
temperature. Often satellites use radiators in the form of louvered panels,
including panels that open and close to adjust the amount of radiating
surface area. To prevent the direct rays of the Sun from causing hot spots,
the satellite may spin or rotate to distribute the Sun’s heat more evenly.
Cosmic Radiation and
Micrometeoroid Protection

Satellites have to endure the effects of radiation and of continuous,

damaging micrometeoroid hits, especially during long-term missions.
Earth’s atmosphere blocks most cosmic radiation from affecting
microprocessors in computers on the ground. A satellite, however, needs
shielding for its computers. Radiation from space also causes some
materials to become brittle, so parts of satellites break more easily after
long exposure to the electromagnetic radiation of space. Solar panels
gradually produce less and less power because of damage from radiation
effects and from the impact of micrometeoroids.
Mission History
The next pages are a listing of previous Astrotech Space Operations missions.
TELESAT-1 (PAM-D)
– Launch Date April 12, 1985
– Launch Site CCAFS
– Vehicle STS-51D (Discovery)
– TELESAT-1 was a communications satellite deployed by STS-51D. PAM-D motor
is the payload assist module, which was processed at Astrotech Space
Operations in Florida.
SATCOM-KU1
– Launch Date January 12, 1986
– Launch Site CCAFS
– Vehicle STS-61C (Columbia)
– SATCOM-KU1 was a commercial communications satellites built by RCA and
deployed by the STS 61-C shuttle mission.
INMARSAT 3 - F3
– Launch Date December 17, 1996
– Launch Site CCAFS
– Vehicle Atlas 2A
– INMARSAT 3 - F3 will provide broadcasting, business services and mobile
communications to Pacific Ocean Region.
GOES - K
– Launch Date April 25, 1997
– Launch Site CCAFS
– Vehicle Atlas I
– GOES-K was the third spacecraft launched by the NASA ELV team in the new
advanced series of geostationary weather satellites for the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
GeoLITE (PAM)
–
Launch Date May 18, 2001
– Launch Site CCAFS
– Vehicle Delta II
– GeoLITE is an advanced technology demonstration satellite with a laser
communications experiment and an operational UHF communications mission.
LDCM
– Launch Date February 11, 2013
– Launch Site VAFB
– Vehicle Atlas V
– The Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM), a collaboration between NASA
and the U.S. Geological Survey, will provide moderate-resolution measurements
of the Earth's terrestrial and polar regions in the visible, near-infrared, short
wave infrared, and thermal infrared.
For more info:
Visit ,
http://www.astrotechspaceoperations.com/mission-
history?page=12
http://www.cosmosbox.info/Space_Exploration/Artificial_S
atellite/Operations_in_Space.html
End…