"Metop" spacecraft launch
“Metop” meteorological satellite is the first satellite, built by “EADS-Astrium” company, within the framework of close cooperation of European Space Agency (ESA) and European organization for operation of meteorological satellites (EUMETSAT).
“Metop” meteorological satellites is a series of 3 satellites that will replace the so called “morning meteorological satellites” used for weather forecast at present. Spacecraft will cover all observed regions approximately at the same time – during local morning hours because of peculiarities of near polar Sun-synchronous orbit, on which the spacecraft will be launched.
Hardware, providing compatibility of meteorological observations with formats, existing today, and also sensors of new generation that allow to determine atmosphere temperature and humidity more precisely, content of ozone in atmosphere, wind velocity and bearing of apparent wind have been installed on board satellites. Also “Metop” – series spacecraft are equipped with instruments, intended for the Earth surface observation and search of ships and aeroplanes in distress.
Overview of “Metop” spacecraft working orbit
“Metop” spacecraft with “Fregat” kick-stage
Operations to control the series of 3 satellites must take at least 14 years. It is expected that service life of each satellite will be 5 years.
The first spacecraft (SC) “Metop” ¹1 was launched on October 19, 2006 from Baikonur launch site by “Soyuz-2” (1a phase) launch vehicle of new generation with upgraded “Fregat” kick-stage manufactured by NPO named after Lavochkine.
The peculiarity of this launch is that “Soyuz-2” launch vehicle is launched from Baikonur launch site for the first time. The first test launch of this launch vehicle was successfully made from Plesetsk launch site on November 2004. The launch vehicle is equipped with radically new digital control system using modern element base, new digital radio-telemetering measuring system and also upgraded engines of I and II stages.
Nose fairing of augmented dimension, 11.4 m in length and 4.11m in diameter will be used in “Soyuz-2” launch vehicle for “Metop” spacecraft (m=4193 kg) launch. New nose fairing of international standard developed by Samara Space Centre meets modern requirements of internal and international market of launch services. Augmented dimensions of nose fairing allow to deploy advanced spacecraft with required overall dimensions.
“Soyuz-2” launch vehicle with “Fregat” kick-stage and “Metop” spacecraft roll- out to the launching position of Baikonur cosmodrome |
“Soyuz-2” launch vehicle with “Fregat” kick-stage and “Metop” spacecraft in the launching facility
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| Take-off time (Moscow Decree Time): 19 h 28 min 13.10 sec Take-off time (Samara): 21 h 28 min 13.10 sec | |||||||||||||||||||
Parameters of injection orbit | |||||||||||||||||||||
Countdown graph of upper composite injection | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Scheme of "Fregat" kick-stage with "Metop" spacecraft injection
It is proposed to fly space manoeuvre for additional rotation of orbital plane in inclination of 3.3º on the portion of the flight of the III-rd stage of launch vehicle to provide the given inclination of the target orbit.
Thus “Soyuz-2” launch vehicle injects “Fregat” kick-stage with “Metop” spacecraft into the orbit with inclination equal to that of the target orbit. It is proposed to use universal “Fregat” kick-stage only to increase orbit altitude.
“Soyuz-2” launch vehicle injects “Fregat” kick-stage with “Metop” spacecraft into initial open orbit (perigee altitude Hp=-2294 km, apogee altitude Ha=221 km, inclination I=98.7º). Further program of injecting spacecraft from initial orbit to the target orbit is realized with the help of “Fregat” kick-stage according to two-pulse “plane” scheme:
injection from open orbit into transfer orbit (Hp/ Ha=167/808 km, I=98.7º) is realized by the first activation of propulsion system of “Fregat” kick-stage. Activation is realized according to accelerated scheme because passive flight of “Fregat” kick-stage with “Metop” spacecraft in open orbit from the time of upper composite separation lasts 5 seconds;
active manoeuvre, increasing perigee altitude of the target orbit, is realized by the second activation of “Fregat” kick-stage propulsion system, made after 44.4 minutes of passive flight in transfer orbit near its apogee, which is followed by “Metop” spacecraft separation into the given Sun-synchronous orbit.
Additional activation of “Fregat” kick-stage verniers is provided after spacecraft separation from “Fregat” kick-stage for the purpose of guaranteed kick-stage and spacecraft deployment and also avoiding debris in space environment. It is realized after passive flight of kick-stage lasting 37 minutes, in quasi-target orbit, kick-stage provides the required attitude control for radio communication with the Earth and for providing the required thermal conditions. As a result of this pulse flood orbit of “Fregat” kick-stage is formed (Hp/Ha=-29/818 km, I=98.7º).
Scheme of “Metop” spacecraft injection into orbit
“Starsem” joint-stock company is the customer of launch services on behalf of “Eumetsat” European organization for operation of meteorological satellites. “Starsem” joint-stock company promotes “Soyuz” launch vehicles in the international space market.
Samara Space Centre with the help of “Starsem” joint-stock company has been concluded and successfully realized the following contracts for launch:
24 “Globalstar” spacecraft for personal satellite communication;
4 “Cluster-2” satellites for research of plasma effects in space;
“Amos-2” telecommunication satellite;
“Mars-Express” research satellite;
“Galaxy-14” telecommunication satellite;
“Venera-Express” research satellite;
“GSTB-A” navigational satellite.
“Corot”, “GSTB-A”, “Radarsat-2”, “Globalstar-1”, “Globalstar-2”, “Metop” ¹2 spacecraft launches are planned.
Animated films of “Metop” spacecraft launch and injection into orbit
(materials have been given by European Space Agency)
Jettison of lateral units of the first stage of “Soyuz” launch vehicle
Separation of the second stage of “Soyuz” launch vehicle
Disconnection of “Soyuz” launch vehicle fairing
Flight phase of “Fregat” kick-stage
“Fregat” kick-stage separation