• Forum
• SITREP
• Military
• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security

• Space

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Public Eye

Further Reading

Sun

On a more positive note, after several years of delays the Russian Federation in conjunction with the Ukrainian Space Agency launched the first of two planned KORONAS (Complex Orbital Near-Earth Observations of Activity of the Sun) Earth-orbiting solar observatories. KORONAS-I was launched on 2 March 1994 by a Tsyklon-3 booster from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome and inserted into an orbit of 487 km by 528 km at an inclination of 82.5 degrees. The foci of the KORONAS-I investigations are solar neutrino emissions (via helioseismology) and the structure of the high temperature regions of the solar atmosphere. The principal scientific instruments included the TEREK-C multi-channel imaging telescope and chronograph, the GELIKON and DIOGENESS solar flare analyzers, the IRIS solar flare spectrometer, the AVS solar gammaray detector, the SUFR-SP-K radiometer and the VUSS spectrometer for ultraviolet investigations, the DIFOS solar optical photometer, and the SKL cosmic ray spectrometer.

The KORONAS-I spacecraft is the first use of the new Ukrainian AUOS-SM-AI platform, designed and manufactured by the Yuzhnoye Scientific Production Association. The original AUOS (Automatic Universal Orbital Station) platform has been in use since 1976. The 2,300 kg spacecraft includes 410 kg for the scientific instruments. KORONAS-I has a diameter of 2.3 m and a height of 5.0 m with a total span of 12.8 m with all solar panels and antennas deployed. The 3-axis stabilized spacecraft is the first AUOS spacecraft to be solar-oriented. The launch of the sister KORONAS-F spacecraft has been delayed indefinitely. In addition to Russian and Ukrainian support, the KORONAS program has enjoyed the participation of Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, France, and the US. The mission design life is 6-7 years (References 212-219).

Another proposed application of the small Regatta spacecraft is the SAPS (Solar Activity Patrol System) project, previously known as SPAS (Solar Patrol and Alert Satellite). The purpose of the system, with one or more Regatta spacecraft in a halo orbit about the L1 libration point between the Earth and the Sun (1.5 million km from Earth), is to provide warning of approaching solar phenomenon. Specifically, real time notification of solar flares and proton events, half-hour warning of approaching solar wind shock wave, and short term forecasts of solar activity are the program objectives. To date, no formal program approval has been made (References 220-221).

THE PROGNOZ PROGRAM

By Dr. Charles S. Sheldon II

1971-1975

1. Prognoz 1

While the Russians had gathered some solar data in a variety of flights, they had not operated in the most recent past complex multi-purpose space laboratories doing such work. Current and comprehensive data are viewed as important not only to support the general advance of science, but to aid the weather reporting work by cloud cover picture-takers, and also to aid solar flare predictions when manned flights are planned.

Kosmos 159 looked as if it might be such a satellite when it was launched on May 17, 1967 into an orbit ranging between 60,600 and 380 kilometers at an inclination of 51.83 degrees. However, no findings have been noted in the literature and the flight was not repeated.

Prognoz 1 was launched on April 14, 1972 into an orbit ranging from 200,000 and 950 kilometers, using the A-2-e launch vehicle, and placed in an orbit inclined at 65 degrees with the launch occurring at Tyuratam. It was described as intended to study corpuscular, gamma, X-ray, and solar plasma interactions with the magnetosphere. The weight was given as 845 kilograms.

Later, pictures were released to show the probe as being a pressurized cylinder with hemispherical ends, 4 solar panels, and various external instruments and antennas. The payload was put in its highly elliptical orbit from an Earth orbiting platform, and then after separation from its probe rocket, it used special memory devices to orient itself toward the Sun and spin-stabilize it.

It carried an X-ray spectrometer and proportional counter in the 1,500 to 30,000 electron volt range, and scintillation spectrometer for gamma rays in the 30,000 to 350,000 electron volt range. Another spectrometer measured the proton flux in the 1 to 35 million electron volt range. It had a Cerenkov counter for electrons in the 40,000 to 140,000 electron volt range, and a scintillation spectrometer for protons in the 30,000 to 210,000 electron volt range. Other devices measured the solar wind, and radio emissions in the 1.6 to 8 kiloHertz range and also in the 100-700 kiloHertz range. It also had a magnetometer, orientation detectors, and dosimeters.

8. Prognoz 2

Prognoz 2 seems to have been virtually a repeat of the earlier flight. It was launched on June 29, 1972 into an orbit ranging from 200,000 kilometers to 550 kilometers at an inclination of 65 degrees. In addition to the experiments as listed for its predecessor, it also carried a French solar wind experiment. Prognoz 2

The French part of Prognoz 2 was only supplemental instrumentation. This was designed to study the solar wind, outer regions of the magnetosphere, gamma rays of the Sun, and search for neutrons of solar origin. The flight occurred on June 29, 1972 from Tyuratam at an inclination of 65 degrees, and ranging between 200,000 and 550 Kilometers-

3. Prognoz 3

This flight came on February 15, 1973 . It carried about the same instrumentation as its predecessors. The orbit ranged from 200,000 to 590 kilometers, at an inclination of 65 degrees.

A follow-up report in early 1974 implied all three payloads were still active, but was not quite so specific as to state this. It said that the devices were calibrated periodically, and were returning data. A still later report on February 16, 1974 , as Prognoz 3 began its second year, mentioned only Prognoz 3 as active. There had been 160 radio sessions with it to report data on solar activity and on solar-terrestrial relationships.

4. Prognoz 4

After a lapse, the Prognoz program was renewed with the launch of Prognoz 4 on December 22, 1975 . It was described as being in general like its predecessors, except the weight was a little higher at 905 kilograms. It was designed to study the corpuscular and electro-magnetic radiations of the Sun and magnetic fields near Earth. The orbit was 199,000 by 634 kilometers at a 65 degree inclination, with an orbital period of 95 hours, 40 minutes. It was launched by an A-2-e rocket system from an orbital launch platform.

References

1. SOVIET SPACE PROGRAMS, 1971-75, OVERVIEW, FACILITIES AND HARDWARE MANNED AND UNMANNED FLIGHT PROGRAMS, BIOASTRONAUTICS CIVIL AND MILITARY APPLICATIONS PROJECTIONS OF FUTURE PLANS, STAFF REPORT , THE COMMITTEE ON AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE .SCIENCES, UNITED STATES SENATE, BY THE SCIENCE POLICY RESEARCH DIVISION CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, VOLUME – I, AUGUST 30, 1976, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1976,