|
|
|
|
| Hitchhiker Experiments (SOLCON, STAR-LITE, PANSAT, CODAG, Roach) |
| Prime: |
| Backup: |
| Overview |
| In addition to the UVSTAR and SEH, five other payloads are hitching a ride with the IEH. Solar Constant Experiment (SOLCON) SOLCON's measurements will be used to calibrate instruments on satellites that are continuously monitoring the total solar irradiance. Since SOLCON returns to Earth in the shuttle for recalibration, its TSI measurements are not subjected to possible degradation from solar radiation that other orbiting instruments may suffer. Ultimately, SOLCON gives researchers a "quality control" capability to check orbiting TSI instruments continuously. The radiometer consists of two channels through which solar radiation may be sensed. Each channel contains a radiation sensor and has two apertures. The first aperture of each channel is protected by independent shutters that seal out any solar radiation from the radiation sensor when they are closed and allow the sensor to receive solar radiation when they are open. The SOLCON flight operators will work with the Belgian Space Remote Operation Center at the Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium and perform experiments in preparation for scientific research on board the International Space Station. Dr. Dominique Crommelynck of the Royal Meteorological Institute is the principal investigator. Spectrograph/Telescope for Astronomical Research (STAR-LITE) STAR-LITE is a telescope and imaging spectrograph that will study astronomical targets in the ultraviolet. Targets of scientific investigation include diffuse sky background emissions, scattered dust, and recombination emission lines from the hot and interstellar medium, supernova remnants, planetary and reflecting nebulae, star-forming regions in external galaxies and the torus formed around Jupiter by volcanic emissions of its moon Io. Dr. Jay Holberg of the University of Arizona is the principal investigator. Petite Amateur Naval Satellite (PANSAT) PANSAT, a nonrecoverable satellite developed by the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, Calif., is basically a small telecommunications satellite. It will be used to enhance the education of military officers at NPS by giving them hands-on experience in developing and operating a small satellite. It will also serve as a space-based laboratory for officers. PANSAT is a spread-spectrum satellite. Spread spectrum allows communication satellites to capture and transmit signals that normally would be lost because the original signals were too weak or had too much interference. Normal radio frequencies use about 3 kilohertz to 1 megahertz of bandwidth, but the spread spectrum is about a thousand times wider and difficult to intercept. The low probability of interception would be important to the military in situations like rescues of downed pilots. A downed pilot could obtain his location from the Global Positioning System and uplink the data to an orbiting spread-spectrum satellite with minimum risk of interception by an enemy. Civilians could use this type of communication during emergency rescues and as a basis for establishing communication in remote areas. PANSAT will demonstrate the capabilities of low-cost spread spectrum on a small satellite. It will provide store-and-forward digital communication using direct sequence, spread-spectrum modulation. Store-and-forward digital communication allows the PANSAT ground station to send data to the satellite. PANSAT will operate in the amateur radio frequency range to allow ham operators to evaluate the satellite's performance. The PANSAT principal investigator is Rudolf Panholzer of the NPS. Cosmic Dust Aggregation (CODAG) The CODAG experiment is a getaway special experiment (G-764) designed to simulate the aggregation of dust particles and dynamics of dust clouds that occurred in the early stages of the formation of our solar system. Scientists hope that understanding the dust growth process in the early solar system will enable them to answer questions about planet formation. The experiment apparatus consists of a vacuum chamber equipped with windows and sensors. Small glass particles will be injected into the chamber, and digital cameras will record the dust's motion in a small control area through microscopes. Sensors will measure the scattering characteristics of the dust cloud for comparison with astronomical measurements. Ten experiment runs are planned. During each run, the dust will be observed for 15 minutes to five hours. CODAG is sponsored by the University of Bremen, Germany, and ZARM (Zentrum fur Angewandte Raumfahrttechnologie und Mikrogravitation). The principal investigator is Hans J. Koenighsmann. Roach Experiment The only biological experiment on STS-95, getaway special G-238 will study the effects of space on the life cycle of the American cockroach. The payload is sponsored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and managed by students at DuVal High School in Lanham, Md. The roach experiment apparatus consists of a habitat that has been divided into three sections: one for young adults, one for nymphs, and one for eggs. Air, heat, water, and food will be supplied. Battery-powered heaters will maintain a comfortable temperature in the habitat. An 8-mm camcorder will record activity inside the habitat at regular intervals. David Eakman of The Boeing Company in Seabrook, Md., is the payload manager. |
|
|
| History/Background |
| The Belgian SOLCON is a unique instrument that is designed to ensure that spaceborne measurements of the absolute value of the solar constant (the total solar radiative power absorbed by one square meter at the outer layer of the Earth's atmosphere) remain accurate and precise. With its differential absolute radiometer, SOLCON will try to pinpoint the absolute value of the total solar irradiance with an accuracy of better than 0.01% and a precision better than 0.005%. |
|
|
|
| Benefits |
| Solar energy, Earth's only external source of energy, is a primary natural driver of climate changes. The measurement of total solar irradiance is an important tool for researchers who are studying the effects of global warming. |
| Section Index | Main Index | Search | Contacts |
Editorial Contact Ed Campion
Technical Contact USA Web Master
Editorial Contact Ed Campion
Technical Contact USA Web Master
