C3- 10OOO

N 63 14101
N EWS R E LEAS E
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADAINISTRATION
400 MARYLAND AVENUE, SW, WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
TELEPHONES, WORTH 2-4155-WORTH.3-6925
e n FOR RELEASE: P,M. TUESDAY
March 26~ 1963

RELEASE No: 63-59

NASA TO LAUNCH ATMOSPHERIC STRUCTURE SATELIITE (S-6)

Within the next few days, no earlier than March 28,

the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will attempt
to launch an Atmospheric Structure Satellite (S-6) from Cape
Canaveral, Florida, aboard the Delta launch vehicle.
The satellite will carry experiments to measure the
density, composition, pressure and temperature of the atmos-
phere at altitudes between 155 and 580 miles.
Primary mission of the satellite is atmospheric
research. However, the direct temperature and pressure
measurements to be made will also be useful in predicting the
orbital characteristics of unmanned and manned spacecraft
operating in these altitudes.
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When atmospheric temperature increases, the atmosphere

generally tends to expand upward, thus increasing gas densities
at higher altitudes. This thickening of the atmosphere increases
the "drag" on spacecraft, markedly reducing their velocities at
altitudes below 600 miles, thus decreasing lifetimes in robit.
The same effects would be experienced by manned spacecraft
and winged or unwinged vehicles during re-entry operations
enroute to the surface of the earth.
T he Satellite Project, a part of the space exploration
program of NASA's Office of Space Sciences, is managed by the
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
The launch can only be made during a three-hour
period each day. On March 28, this will be between 9 p. m.
and midnight EST. Each day thereafter, the "window" will
slip about four minutes per day. The satellite is to be

launched during this nighttime period so that an earth sensor

used for satellite attitude control will not accidentally
acquire the sun and be damaged by the intense solar radiation.
A second sensor is provided to initially "lock on" the moon,
and later switch onto the sun to provide earth-sun or earth-
moon two-point references for correlation of scientific data.
The spacecraft is a spherically-shaped 35-inch-diameter
satellite weighing 405 pounds. Its stainless steel shell is

only 25/lOths of an inch thick. It is to be placed into an

orbit inclined 58 degrees to the earth's equator, and is

expected to have a useful lifetime of two to three months.
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If S-6 is successfully orited, at ;wt,',. the six-

teenth straight success for the Delta \'ehic&e which is

managed by the Goddard Space Flight Center.
The spacecraft will carry eight primiary detectors:
two neutral mass spectrometers, -our vacizuin (pressure) gauges,
and two electrostatic probes.
A neutral mass spectromet-:" counts electrically
neutral particles in space. It doe. this by breaking such par-
ticles into positive ions and negative e ectrons. The X.P.'il-I'ng
particles are electrically charged and they are nmade to move
through electric and magnetic fields of known strength. The
extent to which these particles are deflected by the fields
depends largely on the mass of the particles, and particles
with the same mass will be deflected along the same path.
By placing a sensing device so that it intercepts this stream
of particles, the number of particles can be counted. Since
the field strength and location of the sensor is specific for
certain masses of particles, and since the mass of the ion
is specific for each component that is ionized, selected
components of the atmosphere can be identified.
Pressure gauges determine the atmospheric pressure
by collecting, ionizing, and measuring the neutral particles
along the satellite's orbit.
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The electrostatic probes measure the temperatures

of electrons and the density of positive ions along the orbit.
The individual probe has in it two points of different electri-
cal potential, that is,,a voltage difference is maintained
across the spaces separating the two points. Since electrons
and ions are charged partIcles, their passage across the
potential gap constitute a flow of electricity, a current that
can be measured. The amount of the current is an indication
of the number of particles or density. Other characteristics
of this current depend upon the kinetic energy of the
particles, and this is an indication of their temperature.
Direct sampling of atmospheric constituents has been
accomplished in the last four years through use of a few rockets
and satellites. Sputnik III, the first Russian satellite for
atmospheric experiments, provided the first ion composition,
gas density, and ion density data. Explorer VIII provided,
through ion energy measurements, the first direct indication
of the presence of helium, making possible a correlation with
similar indications from satellite drag measurements. The
P-21 probe to measure ionospheric electron density conducted
by NASA-Goddard scientists in October 1961, for the first
time, made direct measurements - - and thus positive identification -

of helium and hydrogen ions were obtained.

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Measurements of the diurnal variations of neutral

particle density have been made with an instrument carried
by a Discoverer satellite. Measurements showed a factor of

four variation in density on the daytime side of the earth

as compared to the nighttime side. This confirmed the fact,

first obtained from satellite drag studies, that the earth's/

atmosphere bulges on the sunlit side as a result of atmospheric
heating.
But while such measurements have added to scientific

knowledge of the high altitude regions, new and more precise

information is desired through use of the atmospheric struc-
ture satellite.
The satellite is designed to be near "leak-proof,"
thus minimizing contamination of the atmosphere of space as
it orbits at a speed of more than five miles a second between
155 to 580 statute miles. For example, at apogee internal
satellite pressure will be 1013 (1 followed by 13 zeros)
times greater than the hard vacuum of space on the outside. Any
gas leakage from the spacecraft would interfere with measure-
ments of the tenuous space enviornment.
In addition to making sure that the gas sample is not

contaminated, the concentration of each constituent -- whether it

be helium, atomic nitrogen, atomic oxygen, molecular nitrogen
or molecular oxygen -- must be measured throughout the satelliters
orbit. These measurements may be interpreted in terms of ambient
densities and temperatures.
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Complicating such measurements are the large dynamic

range of particle concentrations the instruments must accept
throughout the orbit, and the possible alteration of a sample
by the presence of a hot cathode -- or other metallic or
catalytic surfaces of the spacecraft.
Electrical energy to the spacearaft will be supplied
solely by approximately 150 pounds of silver-zinc chemical batteries,
With all instrumentation on, the satellite will consume 110
watts of power and can operate properly at this load for about
70 hours. Since there is no data storage aboard the spacecraft,
and since satellite "turn ons" will last about five minutes,
several hundred data passes should be obtained. The scarcity
of directly measured neutral particle values is such that only
one or two days of data from this new spacecraft would more than
double existing data.
A reasonable useful lifetime of the satellite will be
between two and three months. When injected into orbit, the
satellite will be spin stabilized at 1.5 cycles per second.
A planned inclination of 58 degrees from the equator will give
it a latitude extension to within several degrees of the ar6tic
and antarctic regions. Orbit period will be 90 minutes.
The spacecraft carries an aspect system to determine the
orientation of its spin axis against some reference plane. This
information is needed to allow the experimenters to correctly

interpret their data. The satellite's aspect system is designed

to use either the sun or the moon, and the earth as references.

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S-6 is the first scientific earth satellite containing

a new pulse code modulation telemetry system. This solid

state system provides an output pow;er of 500 milliwatts, and is

capable of supplying 40 separate channels of information in
digital form.
Scientists will be able to make experiment selection
while the satellite is in orbit. Two independent command

receivers will be used. Each one is capable of two independent

commands. Command A of each receiver will "turn on" the

satellite, while Command B of either receiver will cause the
experiment selector switch to move one position. Thus, for

example, each pair of primary detectors can operate alone

or in different combinations with other primary sensors. Such

experiment selection, however, necessitates rapid data reduction.

For this purpose, a microwave link has been installed between
the Blossom Point, Maryland, tracking station and the Atmospheric
Structure Satellite Technical Control Center, located at

Goddard.
PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

The Atmospheric Structure Satellite project is managed

and directed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt,
Maryland for the Office of Space Science, NASA Headquarters.
Most of the work on the spacecraft was done by Goddard's
Spacecraft Technology Division and the Aeronomy and Meteorology

Division.
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Prime contractor for the Delta vehicle is Douglas

Aircraft Company, Inc., Santa Monica, California, which is
also responsible for pre-launch and launch operations. Logistic

support is provided by the Air Force Missile Test Center which

operates the Atlantic Missile Range.

Key personnel on the project are:

NASA Headquarters
Dr. Homer E. Newell, Director, Office of Space Sciences

Dr. John Naugle, Director of Geophysics and Astronomy Programs

Dr. Robert F. Fellows, Chief, Chemistry Programs
Maurice Dubin, Program Scientist, Office of Space Sciences
Eugene Ehrlich, Atmospheric Structure Satellite Project Officer
Richard Horowitz, Pressure Gauge Experimenter
T. B. Norris, Delta Program Manager
Goddard Space Flight Center
Dr. Harry J. Goett, Director
Dr. John W. Townsend, Jr., Astistant Director, SS&A
N. Whitney Matthews, Chief, Spacecraft Technology Division
Robert Baumann, Chief, Spacecraft Integration & Sounding
Rocket Division
William Stround, Chief, Aeronomy and Meteorology Division
Nelson W. Spencer, Head, Physics Branch, Aeronoray and
Meteorology Division, Project Manager
and Electrostatic Probe Experimenter

J. E. Cooley, Project Coordinator

Carl.A. Reber, Mass Spectrometer Experimenter

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 George P. Newton, Pressure Gauge Experimenter
Larry Ho, Brace, Electrostatic Probe Experimenter
Donald F. Fitzpatrick, Shell and Mechanical Assembly
Robert Kidwell, Thermal Control
Paul C. Donnelly, Power Supply
James Albus, Aspect System
Ronald M. Muller, Telemetry
Joseph P. Corrigan, Ground Support Systems
John N. Libby, Control and Electronics Systems
Chris C. Stephanides, Payload Integration
William D. Hoggard, Environmental Test and Evaluation
Anthony G. Brozena, Delta Liaison
William Schindler, Delta Project Manager
Principal commercial contractors involved in the S-6 Project
includes:
The Budd Company
Philadelphia, Penna. Satellite Shell
Consolidated Systems Corp.
Monrovia, Calif. Mass Spectrometer
N. R. C. Equipment Corp.
Newton, Mass. Redhead Vacuum Gauge
Westinghouse Electron Tube Div.
Elmira, New York Bayard-Alpert Vacuum Gauge
Yardney Electric Company
New York, New York Batteries
University Participant: Space Physics Research Laboratory,
University of Michigan -- Electronics Atmospheric Structure

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Spacecraft and Supporting Flight Eqidipment

The size and shape of the spacecraft were selected to

fit the launch vehicle capability, to satisfy the mission
objectives by reducing possible detector interference from
the spacecraft itself, and to permit that data analyses to
follow techniques successfully used on rockets, The main
joint uses a copper shear gasket to preserve the satellite's
pressure integrity. Stainless steel was used because of
its excellent vacuum properties. The mass spectrometers are
mounted along the spin axis to insure that the spectra are
not disturbed by signal modulations due to the satellite
translating and spinning. The two Langmiur probes, the
aspect sensors, and two of the four vacuum gauges are moun-
ted along the satellite equator. Since the ratio of in-
ternal satellite pressure to outside pressure at apogee
will be iol3, and since significant gas leakage from the
spacecraft can distort the measurements, extreme care was
taken in leak testing the satellite to insure pressure
integrity.
Batteries
Electrical energy is supplied solely by approximately
150 pounds of silver-zinc chemical batteries. With all
instrumentation on,-the satellite will consume 110 watts
of power and can operate properly at this load for about
70 hours. Since there is no data storage aboard the satellite,
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and since satellite "turn-ons" will last about five minutes,

it is expected that several hundred data passes will be
obtained. A reasonable useful lifetime will be between two
and three months.

Using batteries has posed several problems for the

spacecraft. For example, because the satellite is herme-
tically sealed some catalyst had to be included to reduce
the buildup of internal satellite pressure resulting from
the batteries outgassing. Another concern was that these
cells could not be tested fox capacity and recharged for
flight. Not only Is the battery capacity reduced after a
siecond charging, but its discharge characteristics change
enough to disturb some of the flight equipment.
Aspect System
The function of the aspect system is to determine the
orientation of the spin axis of the satellite against some
reference frame. This information is needed to permit the
experimenters to correctly interpret their data. A four
component aspect system is used, comprised of a digital
fan sensor, a slit fan sensor, a sun-moon switch, and two
infrared earth sensors. The system is designed to use
either the sun or the moon, and the earth as references
against which to locate the satellite spin axis.

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The digital fan sensor uses an optical masking tech-

nique and six photodiodes to measure the angle of a light
source viewed by the sensor. The slit fan, physically

located in the same housing as the digital fan, ie used

to accurately measure azimuth angles. The sun-moon switch
reduces the gain of the amplifier when sunlight is viewed
and restores full gain when the moon is the reference object.

The two earth sensors have a pencil beam of approx-

1mately 20 solid angle and are mounted in the same housing.
One sensor has. an elevation of 220 north of the equator,
the other points 220 south of the equator. These earth
sensors operate in the seven to fifteen micron region and
detect the discontinuity at the earth's horizon. Prior to
launch, steps will be taken to insure that the satellite
is stable about its predetermined axis of rotation. The
battery and electronics packages are distributed to insure
maximum moment of inertia about this axis. The measured
ratio of the polar moment of inertia to that about a trans-
verse axis is approximately 1.2. The spin rate will be set
nominally for 1.5 rotations per second. A mutation damper
is included in the spacecraft to eliminate any mutation
motion which may appear. If the satellite should become
unstable and tumble- many 'light objectives will still be
met but the data analysis job will be" more difficult.

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Telemetn[
The Atmospheric Structure Satellite is the first
scientific earth satellite containing a pulse code mod-
ulation (PcM/PM) telemetry system. Previous satellites
used the PFM-AM system. This solid-state PCM system will
provide an output power of 500 milliwatts, and is capable
of supplying 40 separate channels of information in digital
form. Each channel consists of 20 words per second, each
word consists of nine bits. Three channels are devoted to
sixteen channel subcommutation, and two channels are devoted
to a zero and five volt reference level. The turnstile

Kows
antennas provide an approximate omnidirectional pattern with
expected to be less than about four db. They will be
used with the command receiver, tracking transmitter, and
the telemetry system.

Tracking
The satellite will be tracked by NASA's world-wide
Scientific Satellite Network (SSN). Preliminary calcula-
tions indicate that for the planned orbit, the spacecraft
will initially average daily more than 30 proper passes
over the ground stations. A proper pass means that the
satellite will be above an elevation of 100 for more than
four minutes.

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Provisions have been made to permit experiment vej.oc-

t,.Ion while the satellite is in orbit. Two independent
ci;aand receivers are used, each capable of two independent
c lemands*. Command A of each receiver will effect "turn-on"
vt t.e satellite, while comnand B of either receiver will
Cause the experiment selector switch to move one position.
Thus, for example, each pair of primary detectors can

operate alone, in different combinations with other primary

sensors, etc. The different allovwable I-ombinatc.ons pemlit

resolution of possible interference between the various

detectors. While equipment "turn-on" is controlled from
the ground, "turn-off" of all equipment is automatic, and
prodtced from on-board instFrumentation to insure that power
is not wasted because the satellite passes out of the range
of' the command receiver. The advantage of experiment selec-
tion .±ecessiitates rapid data reduction. 1"or this purpose,
a microwave link has been installed between the Blossom
Point, Marylands SSN station and the Atmospheric Structulre
Satellite Technical Control Center at Goddard.

TM DELTA BOOSTER

The 90-foot, 57-ton, three-stage Delta booster, devel-

oped by NASA, will be used to launch the S-6 spacecraft.
Considered the nation's most reliable space booster, Delta
will be reaching for its 16th consecutive successful launch
operation. This will be its 17th launch attempt.

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 Delta's first stage is the Douglas Aircraft Company's
DM-21 Thor, a 57-foot, liquid-fuel rocket which generates
170,000 pounds thrust during its burning time of two minutes
and 25 seconds.
The liquid fuel second stage, produced by Aerojet
General, has a 7,500 pound-thrust engine which burns for
about 160 seconds. Guidance system for the second stage
is the Bell Telephone Laboratories Series "600" system.
The S-6 mission calls for the Delta to coast for 57 seconds
after second stage burn out.
The third stage is an M1PP-X-248 solid >`Iel, 3,000-
pound thrust engine with a Zrningtime of about 4) seconds.
It is producqd by the Neval Propellant Plant.
The Delta flight sequence is as followz. After burnout,
the spent first stage falls away. T"he second stage ignites
immediately. Thirty seconds after necond Stage ignition,
the nose fairing covering the taird stage and the payload
is Jettisoned. After virnouts the vehiole begins its 57-
second coast period. Thn, the thir'u stage is spin stabi-
lized, the empty second stile falls away, and third stage
ignition occurs. At this poialt the rocket achieves orbital
velocity of about 17,000 miles and hour, third stage separa-
tion then takes place, and the payload is pushed into its
orbit.

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 Delta program management is by the Office of Space
Sciences, NASA Headquarters.
Project management of the Delta program is charged to
the Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. William R.
Schindler is the Goddard Delta Project Manager. Prime
contractor for the Delta is the Douglas Aircraft Company,

Santa Monica, Calif.

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