SpaceFlight A British Interplanetary Society publication

Volume 60 No.7 July 2018 £5.00 Deep impact: InSIGHT to Mars 07> Beagle 2 found

634072 Space age prophet 770038

9 Soyuz landing sites

CONTENTS Features 14 Along paths trod by Vikings NASA’s InSIGHT Mars mission is off and running but how does it fit within the general pattern of Mars exploration and what can we expect of it, with its twin CubeSats designed to relay communications during the crucial descent? 14 18 Lost & Found Letter from the Editor Dr Jim Clemmet explains how Beagle 2 came to Just as we were going to press, be found residing apparently intact on the news broke of the death of Alan surface of Mars and how images from Mars Bean, Lunar Module Pilot for Reconnaissance Orbiter have helped rewrite the NASA’s second Moon landing and final chapter of this so very nearly successful Commander of the second mission. expedition to Skylab. An exceptional astronaut, we will 26 Prophet of the Space Age carry a formal obituary of Alan Author of a seminal biography of the renowned next month. In the meantime, for a 18 very personal insight into this space age publicist Willy Ley, Jared S Buss gets remarkable man, please see the behind this sometimes enigmatic character and letter from Nick Spall on page 42. helps us understand how he planted the first Elsewhere in this issue, we look seeds of expectation before Wernher von Braun into the mission of NASA’s next picked up the baton. Mars lander, now on its way to the planet, and hear from the chief 30 Happy landings engineer for the Beagle 2 Phillip S. Clark gives us another deeply insightful programme about the spacecraft’s analysis of the Russian space programme and remarkable discovery on the examines 135 Soyuz landing times and recovery Martian surface – albeit still with a conditions, providing data which can be useful in reluctance to call home! We are 26 predicting future landings. sure Colin Pillinger is looking down with a broad grin and a wry smile! We also reflect on the life and achievements of Willy Ley – a rocket engineer turned publicist Regulars for a space programme that had yet to emerge, and a man who 4 Behind the news probably did more than any other Getting to the gate – is it always better to to herald the dawn of the Space travel than to arrive? Age. Talking of which… don’t forget 6 Opinion to firm up your plans for World 30 Space Week in October and do 8 ISS Report the country proud! 9 April – 8 May 2018

36 Satellite Digest 546 – April 2018 40 Flashback July 1968 42 Letters to the editor David Baker 46 Society news / Diary [email protected] 42 COVER: A GRAPHIC VISUALISATION OF THE INSIGHT LANDER AS IT WILL APPEAR APPROACHING MARS. NASA/ESA MARS. APPROACHING APPEAR WILL IT AS LANDER THE INSIGHT OF VISUALISATION A GRAPHIC COVER: What’s happened • What’s coming up

OUR MISSION STATEMENT Editor David Baker, PhD, BSc, FBIS, FRHS Sub Editor Ann Page Creative Consultant Andrée Wilson Design & Production MP3 Media Promotion Gillian Norman Advertising Tel: +44 (0)20 7735 3160 Email: [email protected] The British Interplanetary Society Distribution Warners Group Distribution, The Maltings, Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH, England Tel: +44 (0)1778 promotes the exploration and 391 000 Fax: +44 (0)1778 393 668 SpaceFlight, Arthur C. Clarke House, 27-29 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1SZ, use of space for the benefit England Tel: +44 (0)20 7735 3160 Email: [email protected] www.bis-space.com Published monthly by the British Interplanetary Society, SpaceFlight is a publication that promotes the mission of the British of humanity, connecting people Interplanetary Society. Opinions in signed articles are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of to create, educate and inspire, the Editor or the Council of the British Interplanetary Society. Registered Company No: 402498. Registered charity No: and advance knowledge in 250556. The British Interplanetary Society is a company limited by guarantee. Printed in England by Latimer Trend & Co. © 2018 British Interplanetary Society 2017 ISSN 0038-6340. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced all aspects of astronautics. or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system without written persmission for the Publishers. Photocopying permitted by license only.

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 3 BEHIND THE NEWS

Lunar Cargo Transportation and Landing by Soft Touchdown (CATALYST) programme and recent extensions to the original three-year contracts add two years of work ahead. Under these agreements, GETTING TO the no-funds activity within the Space Act Agreement envisage commercial deliveries of cargo to the lunar surface in the next few years. The initiative is small but it is viable lunar research in parallel with the heavy-lift hardware being developed by the ISS partners. THE GATE This is merely the vanguard of at least 20 robotic Moon lander initiatives over the next 10 years from agencies and countries around the globe. These Is it better to travel than to arrive? active precursors will provide resource inventorying, survey analysis, data extraction, sustained IN THIS NEW AGE OF SPACE the question has a measurement of the lunar environment, and special poignancy. With a change at the top in communications relay for several instruments set management of Rozcosmos, uncertainties about down on the surface and left to provide data for schedules for the Space Launch System (SLS), a many years. desire to push commercial contenders up-front with The three companies involved – Astrobotic future deep-space plans and tight funding at NASA, Technology Inc, Masten Space Systems, and Moon the path to the Lunar Orbit Platform-Gateway Express – are all making remarkable progress. “We (LOP-G) – the lunar orbiting equivalent of the expect that the demand for lunar cargo delivery International Space Station (ISS) – is still uncertain. services will increase in the next decade, and we Major long-term commitments by the European want to support U.S. industry efforts to meet that Space Agency (ESA) depend on approval by the demand”, said Jason Crusan, director of NASA’s Council of Ministers over the next several years and Advanced Exploration Systems in Washington. “All with major programmes already in work it could be a three partners have shown remarkable growth in the tough struggle to fund that as well as other past three years, so we’re optimistic that they could development programmes. There is a major push on begin delivering small payloads to the Moon as early environmental science satellites, new pressures on as next year.” the Galileo programme over the political Moon Express’s MX-1 Scout Class Explorer will management of this European navigation system carry 30 kg to the lunar surface while Astrobotic’s and development of a new Ariane launcher. Peregrine Lunar Lander will carry 35 kg of equipment The LPO-G has evolved over the last year into a and Masten’s XL-1 a whopping 100kg. But the semi-formalised stepping stone to expanded lunar information they provide from the instruments they exploration and to expeditions bound for Mars carry could provide data from which commercial carrying astronauts to orbit the planet, dock with one operations could begin to utilise of the two moons or set down on the surface. The this information in planning partners in the International Space Station have destinations for human space summarily agreed to support this approach, largely flights. due to financial and technical/physiological research requirements. In fact, the only people advocating a UNCERTAINTIES Mars mission ahead of the LPO-G are those from Preliminary preparations and the development advocacy groups or external commentators outside of hardware capable of carrying experiments to the space industry itself. the Moon are but one part of an integrated But, to bring them to reality the sound intentions network of activities and there are need consolidation through deeper commitments widespread changes in play which could backed by rational schedules. At present, only some confuse the clarity sought by ISS partners. of those elements are in place and there are Not least because the new head of significant obstacles ahead which, because they are Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, has been in very separate categories, are not perhaps giving a overseeing the Russian space industry as Deputy true indication of the integrated picture. While the Prime Minister since 2011 but lost out when Putin SLS encounters further modest delays with rearranged the cabinet in early May this year. uncertainties regarding the date of the first flight (at While this has gone largely unnoticed in the latest count into 2020), the date the Block 1B system West, Rogozin was implicated in scandals and labour will be available moves further to the right. Yet this is disputes which delayed activation of Russia’s new countered by a significant move by NASA, spaceport in the Far East. Since then, as a close ally encouraged by the new administrator’s enthusiasm of Putin, he was sanctioned by the United States in for commercial space, and by discussions to have 2014 as part of the response to Russia’s stance over some commercial ISS partners move in to help lift the Ukraine and the Crimea. At the time, Rogozin some of the early element supporting the LOP-G. made inflammatory statements about what the Three companies stand out for early delivery of Americans could do with “their space station”, cargo to the surface of the Moon under NASA’s taunting them with demands that they should get

4 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight BEHIND THE NEWS Briefing ROCK STAR Inspired by new analytical techniques, which promise to reveal fresh secrets about the Earth’s nearest neighbour, scientists have opened a metre-long tube of surface soil (regolith) that has lain sealed for more than 47 years since it was collected by the crew of Apollo 17. There are still significant quantities of material at the Lunar Sample Laboratory Facility, the primary repository for 2,200 separate items from the six Apollo sites totalling 382 kg, and 0.34 kg of material from the Soviet Luna 16, 20 and 24

missions. NASA

STATION FOR SALE? In an effort to fulfil the Trump administration’s desire to give as much government work as possible to private industry, new NASA Administrator James Bridenstine is looking to place US elements of the ISS in the hands of a commercial operator and to divert funds currently being used to keep the space station operational into new deep-space objectives involving the Lunar Orbit Platform-Gateway. But Congress is not so sure, with independent assessments suggesting that such a shift would save the agency only $1 billion a year – little more than 5% of its annual budget, and not enough to make really big things happen. Advocates of the current set-up also fear that the cost of the changes would far outweigh potential savings.

LOP-G (left) and (above) may be the Next Big Thing for human spaceflight, but who’ll be left to safeguard US interests aboard the ISS? LOCKHEED MARTIN

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 5 BEHIND THE NEWS

hardened its stance over possible Briefing engagement with future options, including the LOP-G. Tangential confliction over political objectives can unsettle international agreements and the consequences can be significant. For the present, preparations are proceeding toward formulation of a strategic plan integrated with those of ESA, Japan and Canada, ISS partners who have also expressed interest in the LOP-G. Dependency on Russia may last longer than expected. NASA has received approval from Congress to order seats on Soyuz for flights to the ISS in 2020, the belief being SHORTAGE OF SEATS that the commercial contenders As noted elsewhere on these pages, NASA will not be ready to carry astronauts will have to find Soyuz seats for its crews to off Soyuz and use trampolines to from US soil. Or if they are, that the the ISS in 2019 should commercial operators BOEING reach the ISS. It did not endear him system for delivering crews to the experience more delays flying from to the other partners. ISS will not be sufficiently robust to American soil. Boeing claims it will fly its Rogozin is known to be cool on guarantee expeditions populated first uncrewed test flight of the CST-100 international cooperation and his from the US side. The relevant (above) in August of this year, while SpaceX appointment is one more level at contract is between Boeing and also plans to launch a Dragon test in August, which the Russian government has Energia. The flight in 2020 will followed by a crewed mission in December. The Boeing crewed test flight, originally envisaged as a short two-person trip to the Opinion ISS and back, has been reconfigured as a six-month residency at the space station. But this still leaves a gap in 2019, for which Boeing has been given permission to THE REALLY BIG procure more Soyuz seats.

CHANGING THE RULES Flying in the face of convention, SpaceX has QUESTION? asked NASA if crews launched aboard SOMEBODY ASKED ME the other day if we should be thinking about the Falcon 9s can enter their Dragon spacecraft militarisation of space as a challenge or a problem. The question had been ahead of the rocket being fuelled, the reason prompted by the news analysis story in SpaceFlight Vol 60 No 5 p 4 concerning being to minimise the time the Falcon’s attention being given in the United States to forming a Space Command. This super-cooled propellants are left to warm up might be an uncomfortable topic for those who see space as a domain into which thereby ensuring they attain the highest we should not take our aggressive and warlike tendencies. But the reality is, that possible density. Critics of the plan have while we have made only tentative steps beyond Earth, as humans we are apt to pointed to the Falcon 9 that exploded on the take our prejudices and differences with us wherever we go. It’s likely that pad in preparation for a static fire in space will be no different. Uncomfortable about that? I am sure many people are September 2016, NASA’s Aerospace Safety – but that is the reality. Advisory Panel is thought to be generally More uncomfortable for some perhaps is the realisation that we are already in supportive of the proposal. the age of militarised space and that this is now as entrenched in our war- fighting domains as land, sea and air forces have been for the last 100 years. The eviction of Iraqi occupation forces from Kuwait in 1991 was the first “space” war, in that reconnaissance, surveillance, communication and signals intelligence SPACE X SPACE satellites were crucial to preparation of the battlefield and the effective operation of coalition forces. Concurrent with the enhanced capabilities of military applications, cyberspace too is integrated with conflict management and the utilisation of space-based assets for disruption and intervention as most land, sea and air based forces integrate across these other two domains. In fact, combat aircraft are increasingly integrated in ways which provide net-centric warfare and integrated data-fusion; the Lockheed Martin F-35 which will equip the UK’s land and sea-based forces later in this decade are examples of that mix, providing a role quite distanced from the conventional search for air superiority and air dominance. But what has this to do with the peaceful exploration and exploitation of space? Quite a lot. Increasingly, legislators and lawmakers are examining the Dragon crews to take their seats before fuelling?

6 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight BEHIND THE NEWS involve two NASA astronauts and a contamination to tubing in the cosmonaut, as commander of the engine section at the base of the Briefing Soyuz spacecraft. core where five RS-25 main RUNNING HOT The LOP-G is an end product for engines will be installed. It was Development of the Sabre hypersonic the first phase in determining the discovered during a routine quality air-breathing combined-cycle rocket physiological consequences of assurance inspection which engine is advancing at Reaction Engines’ living for extended periods in revealed paraffin wax used by a Front Range Airport, close to Watkins, deep-space outside the Earth’s sub-contractor to clean the tubing Colorado. The US Defense Advanced magnetosphere. That match, with had not been removed as required. Projects Research Agency (DARPA) has medical data obtained on expedition Initially thought to have occurred in funded a test of the engine’s pre-cooler crewmembers in low Earth orbit, only one tube, it was discovered in heat exchanger (HTX), which chills the will be a crucial part of deciding just every other tube in the air around the inlet from the 1,000º C how safe it will be for humans to compartment. incurred at Mach 5+ down to –150º C in work for long periods on the Moon Previously the core stage was to just 0.05 sec. Afterwards the chilled air is or travel to Mars. It is a complete have been shipped to the Stennis passed to a turbo-compressor and unknown at present and the Space Center at the end of this year thence to an expansion chamber, where assembly of the LOP-G is an for engine tests in mid-2019. This it is burned with liquid hydrogen. Core important part of deciding whether, and several other uncertainties testing of Sabre could begin in 2020, with and when, to go. But there are begs the question: is it better to a fully integrated version of tyhe engine niggling delays to development of travel the road of anticipation or to running the following year. the SLS and that has dampened arrive at the anticipated destination? hopes of getting a flight off in 2020. We may be on the road a lot longer REL Uncertainties surrounding the than the public relations machine launch date for the first SLS/Orion may have you believe. But really, flight stem from a series of obstacles are only hurdles – and we technical and unexpected problems. make a sport out of leaping over Latest of which is the those! SF

Reaction Engines’ Sabre could be flying As humans we are prone to take our prejudices and within as little as five years. differences with us wherever we go and it is likely that space will be no different. HOTHOUSE CHIPS Landing spacecraft on Venus has always been problematic, but now scientists at dividing lines between civilian and military operations and finding them hard to NASA’s Glenn Research Center think they define; instead of finding specific territories, there are grey areas open to may have found a way to support a interpretation, perhaps even exploitation. As we address the next generation of landing of several months. The idea is space capabilities, and with frequent discussions surrounding space habitats on centred on the use of a new type silicon the Moon and Mars, these questions will become increasingly profound. carbide semiconductor, which is Discussion of humans journeying to the Moon and Mars, perhaps to stay, beg exceptionally heat-resistant and has profound answers to searching questions. Frequently, debates are held and already found its way into electronics seminars address the technical and physiological challenges facing humans packages used to monitor the living in deep space. But how realistic is it to believe that any group of humans, thermodynamic environment of jet selected according to ability, stamina and fitness will not bring with them the engines. Such a material should have no tribal allegiances underpinned by cultural, political or religious ideology. Some trouble coping with Venus’s famously would say that this has been the very reason why we are unable to reconcile inhospitable surface conditions, where differences today, on Earth. the temperature is hot enough to melt Is it too much to ask that the physical and societal evolution, that humankind lead and the atmospheric pressure is has endured since it emerged from hunter-gatherer, can advance the level of around 90 times that on Earth. progress we carry in our associations with each other? Or are we destined to

take with us our hostilities and tribalism that increasingly alienates good people NASA on grounds of difference alone? There are deeply significant questions to be raised as to whether humanity is at all fit to embark on the greatest journey yet made. Ultimately we will have to depart the solar system – in time, that exodus is inevitable. But are we capable of managing an egalitarian society as we begin our move away from the home planet. In time, only our actions will tell but will historians of the 41st century look back at a galaxy in chaos and wonder why – or indeed how – we left unanswered some of the most important questions of all in the 21st century: just what will an extraterrestrial society look like and should humanity have built in safeguards before we begin the journey at all? SF Venus may yet see long-duration landers.

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 7 SATELLITES

8 Vol 60 June 2018 SpaceFlight ISS REPORT ISS Report

9 April – 8 May 2018 Expedition 55 is in its third month of operations, crewed by commander Anton Shkaplerov, fellow Russian Oleg Artemyev, Americans Scott Tingle, Drew Feustel and Ricky Arnold, and Norishige Kanai from Japan. Report by George Spiteri

n 9 April, the United States Orbital OPPOSITE his Russian colleagues focused on the on-going Segment (USOS) crew continued with Drew Feustel works Matryoshka-R Bubble radiation study. inside the Japanese Kibo several further days of unloading cargo laboratory module with tiny The entire crew participated in an on-board from SpaceX’s Dragon vehicle (SpaceFlight internal satellites known as emergency evacuation exercise on 10 April. They Vol 60 No 6 p 11). Artemyev tweeted SPHERES, or Synchronized simulated a fire inside Columbus which was O Position Hold, Engage, a photo of himself eating ice cream which the followed up with a de-briefing from the various cargo spacecraft had delivered and described it as Reorient, Experimental ground centres. Feustel collected blood and urine Satellites. “delicous!”. Feustel, who is of Czech heritage, spoke samples for later analysis, whilst Kanai inserted a to Czech TV and Arnold answered questions from BELOW dosimeter in the Human Research Facility’s (HRF) his alma mater of Frostburg State University in The crew pose inside the freezer for a biological investigation. Shkaplerov Maryland and said he looked forward to continuing Harmony module: bottom swapped manifold bottles inside the Combustion row (l-r): Feustel, Arnold the year of education on the ISS following the flight and Artemyev; top row (l-r): Integrated Rack (CIR) to support the Advanced of fellow teacher Joe Acaba (SpaceFlight Vol 60 No Shkaplerov, Tingle Combustion Microgravity Experiment (ACME) and 5 p 13). Kanai worked inside Columbus, whilst and Kanai. together with Artemyev answered questions from ALL IMAGES: NASA ALL IMAGES:

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 9 ISS REPORT

cadets at the Tula Suvorov Military Academy in honour of Cosmonautics Day on 12 April. The entire crew participated in an on- PR EXERCISE Arnold processed hardware and genetic samples board emergency evacuation exercise… for the Genes in Space-5 experiment on 11 April They simulated a fire inside Columbus.’. and later joined Feustel for three days of extensive eye examinations. Tingle began several days of work with the Metabolic Tracking investigation, which aims to better understand how medicine works in space and how it interacts with human tissue cultures, whilst Shkaplerov worked with the Sally Ride EarthKAM which allows middle school students to remotely control a digital camera mounted on the station and photograph selected features. On 12 April, Kanai continued to tend to mice delivered by Dragon – part of the Mouse Stress Defence System experiment which tests strategies to counteract microgravity stresses and cell signalling that lead to bone and muscle loss. Feustel took his turn with the Metabolic Tracking experiment, whilst Arnold worked with the Plant Gravity Perception study that investigates how plants determine which way to grow and perceive light in microgravity. Shkaplerov and Artemyev enjoyed a light-duty day and conducted several public relations events to celebrate Cosmonautics Day. The crew wrapped up their working week on 13 April with further eye tests, Dragon cargo transfers and continued with the Metabolic Tracking study. Robotics officers in Houston used Canadarm2 with the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM) or Dextre to move ESA’s 314 kg Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) payload from Dragon’s trunk to the exterior of the Columbus module where it will study severe thunderstorms and two days later ASIM downlinked its first science data over Australia. There were reports on 17 April of a possible contamination of ASIM’s Modular Multispectral Imaging Array (MMIA) cameras which may have come from propellant venting from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 second stage rocket following engine shutdown. ASIM science team coordinator Torsten Neubert said “we do not anticipate issues here, because our optical lenses carry decontamination heaters”. The Materials ISS Experiment-Flight Facility (MISSE-FF) was also transferred from Dragon to ExPRESS Logistics Carrier 2 and activated outside the ISS on 27 April. NASA said “the platform will host government and commercial payloads that wish to expose different materials to the harsh ABOVE further work with the Metabolic Tracking study, environment of space”. Earth clouds provide a whilst Kanai focused on the mouse habitat. The backdrop to Japan’s Kibo Despite the crew having a light-duty weekend module and external remainder of the crew tested NASA’s Miniature on 14/15 April they conducted more work with the platform together with Exercise Device-2 (MED-2) which provides a range Metabolic Tracking experiment and continued with remote manipulator arm of motion and resistance exercises while taking up unloading items from Dragon. Over the weekend, and a dust-bin shaped less room inside the station. ground controllers manoeuvred Canadarm2 to stow equipment section housing Arnold and Feustel took images of the back experiments, spares and a failed Pump Flow Control Sub-assembly (PFCS) redundant equipment. of their retinas on 17 April. Feustel also checked in Dragon’s trunk ahead of an upcoming spacewalk the station’s 3D printer and Kanai conducted two when two US crewmen plan to relocate a series of further days’ work with the Mouse Stress Defence spare sub-assemblies for functional testing. System experiment. Tingle collected blood and On 16 April, the crew completed unpacking urine samples for two biological studies whilst Dragon and began the process of loading the vehicle Shkaplerov tweeted a photograph of himself and with items for return to Earth. Feustel performed Artemyev working with the Russian Profilaktika-2

10 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight ISS REPORT

experiment which examines the physical Kanai, Arnold and Feustel performed more performance of cosmonauts. biomedical experiments on 19 April. The JAXA Over the weekend, astronaut also took blood samples from mice, which MORE PROGRESS were stowed in the Minus Eighty Degree Laboratory Progress 69 fired its engines for 2 min 6.5 sec at ground controllers Freezer for ISS (MELFI) for later analysis. The crew 10:50 UTC on 18 April to raise the station’s orbit continued to use extensively the MED-2 device and to accommodate the departure and arrival of the manoeuvred took part in the Team Task Switching survey, which next Soyuz spacecraft. Arnold and Feustel worked involves crewmembers changing tasks to improve with the Biochemical Profile and Repository human Canadarm2… individual and group motivation and effectiveness. research experiments. Tingle joined Arnold to On 20 April, Tingle harvested and photographed answer questions from elementary students in plants for the APEX-6 study. A NASA blog said Houston and later participated in the Story Time “the botanical samples collected from the VEGGIE From Space project which combines science literacy facility were later processed and stowed in a outreach with simple demonstrations on the ISS. science freezer for return to Earth”, where they’ll

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 11 SLUG

be analysed by NASA and University of Wisconsin ABOVE LIMESCALE CRUST scientists. Feustel, Arnold and Kanai ended the week Ricky Arnold On 24 April, the Russian Tass News Agency reported retrieves frozen with further biological experiments, whilst Shkaplerov biological samples that limescale crust had formed in the water-heating and Artemyev conducted extensive research with for return to unit, which had reached the end of its service life Earth inside the the Russian Uragan (Hurricane) Earth observational SpaceX Dragon in the Russian segment. There were reports that the experiment. resupply ship problem emerged with the quality of hot water and The crew took photos of coral atolls in the Indian and subsequent yellowish admixtures of unknown origin had been analysis. Ocean and the north western US as part of the Earth discovered. First Deputy CEO for Space Systems’ Imagery from ISS (EIISS) programme during their Flight Operation and Tests at RSC Energia, Vladimir light-duty weekend 21/22 April, prompting Feustel to Solovyev said; “There is nothing terrible….we will tweet “Earth is our spaceship….On this Earth Day, I promptly replace this unit, which cosmonauts call hope that all inhabitants of our beautiful planet learn to ‘samovar’ with a reserve one”. see it without borders as we do. We all live out in space”. On 25 April, Feustel tended to the Veggie facility, Tingle, Feustel and Arnold had a live link-up with “I hope that installed the Veggie Passive Orbital Nutrient Delivery NASA’s new administrator Jim Bridenstine following System (PONDS) plant growth hardware and took his swearing-in ceremony conducted by US Vice inhabitants his turn to operate the Synchronised Position Hold, President Mike Pence on 23 April. The USOS crew Engage, Reorient Satellites (SPHERES) experiment, devoted several more days loading Dragon with cargo of our whilst Tingle and Arnold disassembled the External and conducted maintenance to the Water Processor beautiful TV Camera Group (ETVCG) which was brought Assembly (WPA). The Russian crewmembers worked inside the station during the latest EVA (SpaceFlight with the Motocard experiment which examines the planet learn Vol 60 No 6 p 13). Tingle also replaced a failed nature of locomotion disturbances in long term bulb in a light to be used on another ETVCG to be spaceflight and methods of correction and prevention. to see it installed on the next US spacewalk. Parts from the old Shkaplerov and Artemyev also used the Pilot-T study ETVCG will be returned to Earth aboard Dragon for which aims to assess and predict the reliability of a without refurbishment. cosmonaut when performing complicated operator Progress MS-07/67P performed a 205 sec de-orbit tasks. borders as burn at 04:08 UTC on 26 April, entered the Earth’s Kanai donned an arm monitor on 24 April to atmosphere 34 min later and impacted the Pacific assess how microgravity has affected his circadian we do. We all Ocean 3,000 km east of Wellington, New Zealand at rhythms, whilst Feustel worked with the Protein Crystal live out in 04:51 UTC. The unmanned cargo craft had conducted Growth-9 experiment and Arnold replaced a failed scientific and engineering tests since it left the Station device in the Human Research Facility-2 (HRF-2). space” in late March (SpaceFlight Vol 60 No 6 p 12). Tingle updated the software and firmware of the Waste Kanai completed his 36 hrs stint with the Circadian and Hygiene Compartment (WHC) and Shkaplerov and Rhythms experiment on 26 April, whilst Feustel and Artemyev returned to consecutive days of work with Arnold continued with their preparations for the next the Matryoshka-R Bubble experiment and the DAN US spacewalk. Tingle replace a deteriorating Pump biomedical study. Package Assembly (PPA) inside Harmony with a spare

12 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight ISS REPORT unit. The device is a thermal control system which DELAYED DRAGON RETURNS provides water cooling for the station payloads critical Following a three day delay due to poor weather in the systems avionics. Shkaplerov and Artemyev worked on “How quick landing zone, Dragon was unberthed from the Earth a series of Russian experiments including the Kontent facing port of Harmony late on 4 May and robotics (Content) psychophysiological experiment and the time passes! officers released the spacecraft from Canadarm2 at Vizir Earth imaging study. 13:23 UTC on 5 May as the ISS flew 411.9 km south On 27 April, Feustel completed installation of the So many off Australia with Tingle monitoring events from the Multi-use Variable-g Platform (MVP) facility which interesting Cupola. contains two internal carousels and subjects different Dragon performed a 13 min 25 sec de-orbit burn types of samples such as food, fruit flies, plants and and at 18:06 UTC on 5 May and after jettisoning its cells to artificial gravity. Tingle helped Feustel load unpressurised trunk splashed down 54 min later in the NASA’s STaARS-1 experiment for return aboard unforgettable Pacific Ocean, 648.5 km south west off Long Beach, Dragon. The device has completed a year of operations California, at 19:00 UTC (12:00 local time) to complete aboard the station supporting observations of living days on SpaceX’s Commercial Resupply Services-14 (CRS-14) systems exposed to simulated gravity similar to mission. conditions on Earth, the Moon and Mars. Earth’s orbit” Aboard Dragon was almost 1,838.7 kg of returning The crew conducted NASA’s Aerosol Samples crew supplies and scientific experiments including experiment during their light-duty weekend 28/29 results from studies which NASA described are April. This study involves collecting cabin air samples “creating more effective pharmaceuticals, growing new which are analysed using a variety of microscopic types of plants for food in space and studying fruit flies techniques including light and electron microscopy. to see how immune systems change in microgravity”. On 30 April, Tingle and Arnold transferred an Robonaut2 (R2) was also returned aboard Dragon for array of biological samples from the station’s freezers refurbishment and repairs following technical issues to specialised freezers inside Dragon prior to the associated with the humanoid robot (SpaceFlight Vol 60 unmanned commercial spacecraft’s departure. Feustel No.5 p 12). conducted further research with the MVP hardware The crew worked through their weekend 5/6 May and configured the HRF-2 for ongoing experiments, conducting scientific experiments and preparing for whilst one of his Russian colleagues took part in their spacewalk. Feustel and Arnold donned their the Cosmocard experiment which involves a 24 hrs EMU suits on 7 May to verify the suits are correctly electrocardiogram recording. sized for the EVA, whilst Tingle checked the batteries Shkaplerov, who is on his third spaceflight, tweeted which power them. Kanai photographed his face to help a photo of himself celebrating his 500th day in space scientists understand how the upward flow of fluids on 1 May adding “How quick time passes! So many impacts intracranial pressure affecting a crewmember’s interesting and unforgettable days in Earth’s orbit”. The BELOW eyes and later attached sensors to his legs, scanned The Unity module USOS crew completed transferring items to Dragon offers the perfect them with an ultrasound device and checked his and Feustel conducted routine maintenance to the space for an out blood pressure as part of the Canadian Vascular Echo Advanced Resistance Exercise Device (ARED) which of this world jam experiment. session with the crew use daily for exercise to maintain muscle and Expedition 55 crew On 8 May, Shkaplerov and Artemyev recorded a bone strength in microgravity. members (from left) message to commemorate Victory Day over Nazi forces On 2 May, Feustel and Arnold continued with Drew Feustel, Oleg in World War Two, whilst Feustel and Arnold Artemyev, Ricky preparations for their next spacewalk by reviewing Arnold and Scott configured their EVA tools and Kanai set up JAXA’s Cell procedures with ground controllers, whilst Shkaplerov Tingle. Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF). SF and Artemyev worked with the Russian Algometriya experiment, which is a study of the pain threshold in a long duration space flight. Tingle and Kanai photographed plants growing for the Veggie PONDS experiment and worked with the Advanced Colloids Experiment-Temperature-7 (ACE-T-7) study which involves the design and assembly of complex 3D structures from small particles suspended within a fluid medium. Arnold was due to take his turn with the MED-2 device on 3 May but the session was postponed due to time constraints. Instead he helped Feustel check out their EVA Mobility Unit (EMU) suits. The astronauts noted that despite nominal telemetry, one EMU suit (No. 3006) was making an unexpected noise and a recording of the anomalous sound was provided for ground engineers to review. Shkaplerov and Artemyev resumed work with the Kontent and Profilaktika-2 experiments and gave each other a haircut, whilst Tingle worked with the TangoLab-1 facility. On 4 May, the USOS crew closed the hatches to Dragon, conducted further preparations for their EVA and performed more eye examinations.

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 13 PLANETARY EXPLORATION

Along paths trod by Vikings NASA’s latest series of planetary exploration “firsts” is following in the footsteps of an astoundingly successful string of Mars missions by drilling deep into the past to find out what the Red Planet is really made of. by David Baker

t began in June 2003 with the launch of Spirit, a roving vehicle encapsulated within a composite and steel cocoon, protecting it from the rigours of entry to set itself down on the red dust of I Mars and begin a journey soon joined by its twin Opportunity, launched a month later. For almost 15 years now, since late January 2004 there has never been a moment when a roving vehicle has not been working away on Mars, discovering new facts and sampling new rocks, adding to the growing knowledge about a planet that, when first photographed close up by Mariner A hiatus in US Mars exploration was broken IV in 1965, seemed a lifeless and lunar-like world. only by the Mars Pathfinder lander/rover of 1996 Ever since, scientists have been seeking a better and Russia’s Phobos mission in 1988. But NASA understanding of this enigmatic planet, unveiling returned again with Mars Climate Orbiter and a past far from lunar-like and a potential harbinger Mars Polar Lander launched in December 1998 and of fossil life from a distant past. January 1999 respectively. Both failed for different NASA ALL IMAGES: and avoidable reasons. Since then, in the last 20 A CHARGED QUEST years not one of the seven NASA Mars missions has Disheartened by images of craters, a Moonscape failed, and that has included three orbiters, three surface and a carbon dioxide atmosphere so thin it roving vehicles and a static lander. was unable to retain heat to warm the surface at so Interest in Mars is not exclusively the preserve great a distance from the Sun, for ten years Mars of the two former Space Age protagonists, however, received only scant attention. Until two Viking and apart from the United States and Russia, the spacecraft, flagship missions in NASA’s post-Apollo European Space Agency has had outstanding quest to reach deeper into the solar system. They success with Mars Express/Beagle 2 in 2003 (see reached Mars in 1975 and spent several years pages 18-25) and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter in mapping the planet from orbit in unprecedented 2016. And the Mangalyaan mission of 2013 was an detail. They measured the atmosphere as it changed ABOVE outstanding success for India and its increasingly season by season, exchanging gas in the summer Shrouded in early morning sophisticated space programme. But now it is time for ice at the pole in winter. And they sampled the mist, an Atlas V rocket to literally add depth to surveys at the surface and sends InSIGHT into space surface, listening for Marsquakes and carrying – the first planetary launch to measurements of seismic disturbances that can, out the first, albeit crude, biochemical analysis of from Vandenberg Air Force through subsurface profiling, reveal a lot about the harvested samples. Base, California. planet’s interior and, by calculation, its geochemical

14 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SLUG

composition. It is but the latest in a series of ABOVE Static landers can provide a temporal contextual missions that are increasingly aligned with a greater Employing legacy reference for a specific and highly localised site but technology from the depth and breadth in Mars exploration than has successful Phoenix lander, a spatial context can only be provided by roving been possible before. InSIGHT will carry a vehicles capable of moving across different geologic seismometer to Mars – the formations, structures and units. Moreover, CONTEXT inverted bowl-shaped because they can work continuously for months device seen here on top of Initial reconnaissance and mapping activities the spacecraft. and years, robotic rovers can do that far in advance occupied the first generation of Mars-bound of any human capacity. We will have to wait spacecraft up to the flight of the two Viking orbiter/ decades before astronauts can match the endurance lander combinations in 1975. However, with their and persistence over months and years already ability to conduct extensive surveys from orbit proven by robotic rovers. and down at the surface for an extended period, In the search for characterisation in both the characterisation of the very nature of the In the last 20 years temporal and spatial dimensions, two missions planet began. That phase ended when the lander/ stand out as unique in their separate ways: the rovers began to explore the surface from 1997, not one of the Phoenix lander launched in 2007 and the MAVEN and permanently from 2004, to place a spatial mission of 2013. Phoenix directly explored a more context for site surveys in a similar manner to seven NASA Mars northerly location than any spacecraft before or that provided by the Lunar Roving Vehicle on the missions has failed since, landing as a site 68º N to sample the surface surface of the Moon during the last three Apollo during the onset of winter and to observe the mission in 1971 and 1972, carrying their human encroaching ice that its sampler exposed in shallow occupants across varied geological formations. trenches. In the scientific analysis of rocks, minerals In a separate characterisation, MAVEN has and environmental studies, context is everything. provided substantive proof that in the absence

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 15 SLUG

of a magnetosphere the solar wind is stripping Mars ABOVE separation avoidance manoeuvre shifted the spent stage Pictured here of its atmosphere and that solar radiation is separating undergoing tests away from the InSIGHT flight path prior to release of water molecules released from the planet through of its solar arrays two CubeSats. evaporation at a rate directly proportional to its is one of two Named MarCO A and B, the pair of 6U CubeSats CubeSats that will distance from the Sun, varying throughout a Martian relay data from each measure 37 cm x 24 cm by 12 cm and are pioneers year due to its elliptical orbit. MAVEN is providing InSIGHT as it enters in demonstrating CubeSat technology for endurance, both a spatial and a temporal measure to understand the atmosphere of navigation and mission support. They are tasked Mars. why the planet has seemingly changed so much over its with providing real-time communications relay as four billion year history. the InSIGHT lander descends through the Martian But context again can only be provided at a specific atmosphere on 26 November 2018. Orientated for site on the surface by the presence of a dedicated entry, descent and landing (EDL) and with InSIGHT sampling device and that is what NASA has provided in lacking the transmitter power to send telemetry direct its current mission – InSIGHT. to Earth, CubeSats may be a cheap and highly efficient way of relaying engineering data vital for analysis PIONEERS should the EDL phase fail. But this has not been Launched on 5 May from the Vandenberg Air Force The InSIGHT demonstrated yet and success here could be another Base, InSIGHT was the first planetary mission to “first” for Mars missions. fly from the West Coast but, using a powerful Atlas mission is Another record was logged on 8 May when the two V-401 from SLC-3, the plane-change necessary MarCOs reached a distance of one million kilometres to get on course for Mars is not a problem. The designed to from Earth, the greatest distance achieved by a reasons why it went from the West Coast include a operate for CubeSat. The following day MarCO-B took a picture scheduling problem at Cape Canaveral and a more of itself which was important for the engineering team flexible retention of alternative launch dates within one full Mars to verify successful deployment of the solar arrays the window than could be afforded at the East Coast and that the high-gain antenna had been correctly launch complex. However, shrouded in pre-dawn mist year plus 40 extended. A CubeSat trajectory correction manoeuvre along the coast of California, the launch was not as was scheduled for late May, another “first” in a growing spectacular as it might have been from Florida. Mars days list of new capabilities provided by InSIGHT and its The ascent carried the combined Centaur upper sub-satellites and its unique inventory of equipment stage and spacecraft into a parking orbit at 185 km and experiment packages. down over the south pole and up across the north pole. On 22 May four on-board thrusters were fired for The second Centaur burn lasted about five minutes and 40 seconds imparting a velocity change of 3.8 m/sec propelled InSIGHT to escape velocity with separation in the first course correction, both to compensate for from the carrier stage 90 minutes after lift-off. A post- dispersions at terminal stage cut-off and to null offsets

16 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SLUG imposed by the daily firing of our other thrusters to maintain alignment on the Sun for solar energy and the Earth for optimum communications.

DIGGING DEEP Living up to the “alternative” definition of NASA provided by some wags – that it stands for “Never A Straight Answer”, InSIGHT is an acronym for Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport. It is the first mission exclusively committed to studying the interior of Mars through a seismometer placed on the surface and with the use of a self-hammering tool penetrating the surface to a depth of 3-5 m as well as the first to place a magnetometer on Mars. The design of the spacecraft is a direct evolution from the Phoenix lander, weighed 694 kg at launch incorporating the 358 kg lander, stands 88-108 cm above the surface depending on leg compression and spans 6 m with the solar arrays deployed providing a maximum 600-700 W during a clear day on Mars. The robotic arm has a length of 2.4 m and will be used to deploy the seismometer to the surface. Two colour cameras are provided, one on the robotic arm and another on the lander deck, capable of producing 1,024 x 1,024 pixels while separate wide-field and narrow- ABOVE measuring heat loss and rate of thermal emissivity. As InSIGHT’s field cameras on Each CubeSat produce images with a manipulator with seismometers and heat flow probes deployed to resolution of 752 x 480 pixels. arm deploys the the surface of the Moon by astronauts, this is a well- The InSIGHT mission is designed to operate for seismometer during proven method of determining aspects of the interior pre-launch tests in one full Mars year plus 40 Mars days, almost two Earth a demonstration of almost impossible to achieve by any other means. years, but getting to the surface poses greater challenges the first instrument The precise area in which InSIGHT will conduct of its kind to be than for its engineering twin, the Phoenix lander. set down on the its scientific examination of Mars is located in the Entering the atmosphere at 5.9 km/sec (0.3 km/sec surface of Mars. Elysium Planitia, an elliptical target 130 km long by 27 faster than Phoenix) it will have a greater entry mass km wide in a smooth, flat area where the instruments (606 kg versus 573 kg) targeting a site 1.5 km higher can best do their work. The location was chosen from than Phoenix and therefore in a less dense atmosphere 22 candidate sites and is about 2,650 m above the to set itself down during early winter in the northern mean radius of the planet, a place with loose material hemisphere where dust storms are notoriously bad. To rather than bedrock so as to improve the chance of BELOW accommodate these entry variables, InSIGHT has a Data from NASA’s penetrating the surface to the maximum depth possible thicker heatshield than Phoenix, deploys its parachute MAVEN Mars with the drill. at higher speed and uses stronger material in the orbiter shows The importance of InSIGHT and missions to follow the sustained parachute suspension lines. loss of atomic cannot be overstated. The chance of sending astronauts Apart from the seismometer, the first to be placed carbon, oxygen to Mars are still a very long way off but there is much to directly on to the surface of another planet, the heat and hydrogen, be done before then, and a lot to explore, ensuring diminishing the flow probe deployed to the drill hole will provide planet’s atmosphere those who do eventually go have a solid and scientific valuable information about the thermal flux of Mars, over time. reason for filling their days with productive work. SF

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 17 SPACE PROBES Lost & found June 2018 marks the 15th anniversary of the launch of Beagle 2, and the three and a half years since its discovery sitting on the surface of Mars. Thanks to more images and in-depth analyses, we now have a much better appreciation of the successes of the UK’s first mission to Mars – and why it was lost. by Dr Jim Clemmet, Chief Engineer, Beagle 2

eagle 2, the UK and Europe’s first planetary declared lost a few months later. lander, was launched on the 2 June 2003 as a That was until November 2014 when a glinting passenger on the European Space Agency’s Mars object was discovered by Michael Croon, formally of Express Orbiter. Professor Colin Pillinger FRS ESA’s Mars Express operation team, just 5 km from Bled the mission and its science from the Open the centre of the predicted landing zone. The object University at Milton Keynes. The University of Leicester, was seen in two overlapping images he had requested under Mission Manager, Professor Mark Sims, had be taken by the HiRISE camera on NASA’s Mars responsibility for the flight operations, mission and BELOW Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). Identified as the overall science payload management. Airbus Defence Beagle 2 was Beagle 2 Lander with at least two solar panels deployed, launched on 2 June & Space, Stevenage, formally Astrium Ltd., fulfilled 2003 attached to the discovery was announced in January 2015. But how the role of industry prime contractor, leading the ESA’s Mars Express. do we know that it really is Beagle 2? It was carried engineering design, development, assembly and test of into space by a the Probe, Entry Descent and Landing system and the Soyuz-FG/Fregat SLEUTHING THE SITE Lander within. rocket launched Initially the two images were simply overlaid from Baikonur, After a seven month cruise, the probe was Kazakhstan. Mars using geological reference features to give a better successfully separated and placed on its trajectory Express entered appreciation of the glinting object. It certainly had the towards the surface of Mars on 19 December with the orbit about the appearance of the Beagle 2 Lander at least partially planet on 25 landing on Christmas Day, six days later. But nothing December deployed. Additional HiRISE images have been was heard from it and the mission was officially that year. acquired under different solar illumination conditions.

JUNE 2003 THE BEAGLE 2 PROBE IS LAUNCHED ABOARD ESA’S MARS EXPRESS ESA

18 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SPACE PROBES

DECEMBER 2003 BEAGLE 2 IS SUCCESSFULLY DEPLOYED BUT THEN CONTACT IS LOST LEFT Beagle 2 separated from the Mars Express orbiter six days before the latter began its orbit insertion burn, lowering its mass and reducing the propellant required to achieve the same delta-velocity to drop it into orbit. RIGHT The sequence of events required to get Beagle 2 to the surface began with deceleration

ESA of the blunt body through the upper atmosphere, This has allowed more thorough evaluations, followed by the not simply by combining those elements reflecting light deployment of identifying candidates for the parachutes and the a parachute on different occasions but also using technology to probe’s aeroshell. The airbag segments, given their retardation system. create super resolution images. tan colour, present a much greater challenge and have The Lander was By overlaying the outline of the Lander with protected on not been located. These images have been analysed impact by inflatable various states of solar panel deployment, three solar looking at the appearance, location & dispersion on the airbags. panels deployed appears to provide a better overall Martian surface and by virtual modelling simulations. interpretation than two but a firm conclusion is not A complete HiRISE image consist of a billion pixels, possible from this exercise. A partial deployment of the each pixel about 300mm square! In contrast, the typical BELOW fourth panel cannot be ruled out although if still in the dimensions of the principal hardware elements are just Artist’s impression stowed state it would certainly block the antenna and 2 or 3 pixels across. The footprint of a fully deployed of Beagle 2 explain the lack of post-landing radio communication. streaking through Lander fits within a 1.8 m (7 pixels) diameter circle. the thin Martian The tiles covering the exterior surface of the front The gold surface of the thermal blanket of the Lander atmosphere. heatshield will be severely charred but the internal base, the resin rich exposed surface of its composite lid and the solar cells of the four solar panels are all highly reflective. With the autonomous solar panel deployments restricted to no more than 160°, to reduce the risk of damage by driving against a rock, it is unlikely that all panels would be reflecting light towards the HiRISE camera simultaneously, thus making it difficult to assess the exact state of deployment of the Lander. Combining images of the Lander taken under differing lighting conditions and from differing orbital locations has allowed a better understanding to emerge,

JANUARY 2015 MRO’S HiRISE CAMERA IMAGES BEAGLE 2 ON THE SURFACE OF MARS LEFT / RIGHT NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (left) entered orbit about Mars on 10 August 2006. Equipped with a high-resolution HiRISE camera, the spacecraft secured a series of images confirming the presence of Beagle 2 on the surface. NASA

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 19 SPACE PROBES

LOCATED HOW BEAGLE 2 WAS IDENTIFIED BY MRO

The HiRISE camera aboard Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (above) took the original image (far left), showing the location of the Beagle 2 landing site to be at 11.5265°N by 90.4295°E. In an enlargement subsequently made of the area (left) a faint white dot denoting the presence of the Lander is just visible within the yellow square.

LEFT AND RIGHT Simple overlay (left) of three HiRISE images to create a composite view of illuminated features and a super- resolution image (right) of the Lander created by the team at University College London by mathematically combining the five HiRISE images. IMAGES: UCL (LEFT); NASA (TOP) UCL (LEFT); NASA IMAGES:

surface has a reflective aluminised thermal blanket. shape is consistent with Earth drop tests. The main This appears as a small collection of bright pixels parachute is designed to release on first impact and will located above the Lander and can only be distinguished The entry and come to rest close by. in some images. This suggests that the shallow 960 mm diameter conical disc has come to rest with its interior descent LOCATION, LOCATION… concave surface uppermost. Only under certain Having established that the basic appearance of the combinations of Sun angle and MRO orbital position analysis has various candidate objects identified on the Martian will reflections from the internal thermal blanket be been re-run surface compare well with Beagle 2 hardware, it was captured by the HiRISE camera. necessary to determine if their location and dispersion Moving south from the Lander, a dark area can be using Mars is close to expectations. The entry and descent analysis seen with a small reflective object close by. This is the has been re-run using Mars Express flight dynamics impact zone of the rear aeroshell cover. The animation Express flight data provided following the ejection of Beagle 2. The of a series of HiRISE images of this area is of particular output of this work shows Beagle 2, located through the interest, showing both the reflective object moving dynamics HiRISE images, incredibly just 5 km from the centre of across the surface with a smaller object moving within the revised landing ellipse and 20 km from the original the dark patch. These are the translucent 2 m pilot data target. parachute canopy and the rear cover respectively. Analyses conducted during the design phases, The movement of the parachute across the Martian to assess the potential for re-contacts between main surface can only be due to surface winds. With the 8 parachute back cover and front heatshield during m tether still in place, the rear cover is pulled across the descent sequence, has been used to interpolate the impact zone’s disturbed surface. With the wind an indication of a nominal dispersion of the various induced movements of the rear cover and the pilot hardware elements across the terrain. This analysis chute, contaminating their surfaces with Martian dust, was only performed in the 2D plane of the landing a similar appearance to that of terrain features can be ellipse major axis and stable behaviour had been expected. assumed for simplicity. Heatshield tumbling, cross- The 10 m diameter ultra-lightweight main parachute winds, residual spin during descent under parachutes canopy is more translucent than that of the pilot chute and asymmetry in airbag bouncing can all result in and can be seen as a collection of bright pixels with deviations away from the nominal 2D trajectories but an irregular shape as expected. With dimensions of were not accounted for in the predictions. The actual approximately 4 m by 2 m on the surface, the size and dispersion between the sites of initial impact, i.e. the

20 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SPACE PROBES

IDENTIFICATION MAKING SENSE OF BEAGLE’S POSITION

ABOVE The closed Lander (left) showing the impact protection; and the open base of the flight-rated Lander (right) displaying about two-thirds of the exposed surface and showing it to be highly reflective. LEFT / RIGHT Photographs numbered 1 to 4 show the sequence of solar panel deployment in the order planned after Beagle 2 landed on the Martian surface.

BELOW Early overlays of the Lander outline on the HiRISE images show a distinct correlation between the deployment outline of the various segments and the shape of the object detected on the surface. IMAGES THIS PAGE: UCL THIS PAGE: IMAGES

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 21 SPACE PROBES IMAGES THIS PAGE: UCL THIS PAGE: IMAGES

location of the main parachute, the front heat shield ABOVE nominal descent rate, low winds speed and reduced HiRISE images and the back cover with tethered pilot chute, compare show the location of airbag coefficient of restitution, perhaps due to leakage favourably with expectations and seem reasonable Beagle 2 hardware or under-inflation. The results suggest the airbag, with when these additional aspects are considered. distributed across the Lander enclosed, coming to rest in the range 75 m the Martian The distance between the Lander and the main terrain (left) and to 110 m of the point of first touchdown. The HiRISE parachute is determined by the performance and measurements images show 94 m. behaviour of the airbags. Monte Carlo analysis of dispersion Next it was necessary to examine the nature of distances between performed during the mission design phase predicted the various the colour of these objects. A spectral analysis of the that the final location of the Lander, once the airbags elements (right). Beagle 2 hardware candidates together with natural have come to rest, may be in a wide range up to 600 objects and features and local surface terrain found m further on from the site of first impact. Beagle 2’s at the landing site has been conducted by University arrival at Mars occurred not long after a late global College London. The HiRISE camera Infrared, Red, dust storm event which resulted in a reduced but not BlueGreen (IRB) images, rather than RGB, have been abnormal atmosphere density profile. recommended for this purpose by the HiRISE team. To NASA’s experience with both Spirit and Opportunity allow comparison, the analysis has also been repeated BELOW Rover missions supports this. Consequently, with key Spectral analysis for NASA’s Spirit and Opportunity Rovers, both having entry and descent events occurring at lower altitudes, by the UCL team significant solar cell areas. comparing the the descent velocity under the main parachute may Red:BlueGreen Differences between the selected objects and the have been higher at first impact than the nominal ratios of the various local surface are clear. Comparison of the Beagle prediction. And, with the dust settling, the potential of Beagle 2 Lander 2 Lander’s highly reflective elements and NASA’s elements with that low wind speeds, the descent trajectory may also have of NASA’s Spirit Opportunity rover show a similar decreasing been more vertical. and Curiosity Mars Red:BlueGreen (R:BG) ratio characteristic relative Variations in the distance travelled while bouncing Exploration Rovers to their adjacent terrains, consistent with solar cells and the reflectivity have been calculated for cases with a warm, reduced of the local terrain designed to absorb the red portion of the spectrum. density atmosphere in variations combining above features. In contrast, sunlit rock and dunes show an increase in the red proportion. The main parachute is also distinguishable from sunlit Martian sand dune but with a larger relative increase in R:BG ratio consistent with the low solar absorption and high thermal emissivity of the white fabric surface, but with a contribution from accumulated wind borne dust. The identified movement of the rear cover and the tethered pilot parachute across the terrain will have resulted in their smooth surfaces being contaminated by the Martian soil and dust. The tiled geometric surface of the rear cover appears similar to a sunlit rock while the tethered pilot parachute shares R:BG ratio with its local terrain. Both are very distinctive from the dark disturbed impact surface, which has a very low red content, and is likely to be exposed un-oxidised material from beneath the oxidised surface layer. The R:BG ratios for natural objects are common within the search region. The R:BG ratios for the more highly reflective Beagle 2 and MER hardware are unique. Finally, based on an idea from Mark Sims, a

22 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SPACE PROBES

LEFT A view of the concave surface of the Front Heatshield, showing the internal aluminised thermal blanket. RIGHT The reflection of the Front Heatshield, 11 m above the glinting Lander. technique has been developed by De Montfort surface reflections. A common solution for the Lander University (DMU), Leicester, to give a more objective configuration has then been sort consistent with all interpretation of the Lander and front heatshield three HiRISE images. A similar exercise has been images. This involves constructing virtual models of conducted for the front heatshield. both, based on CAD data, and incorporating typical The virtual model provides strong evidence that values for associated surface reflectivity. the Lander base is “south-west” of the lid and that The methodology allows variations in Lander it is tilted up at 12 degrees towards the “north-east” deployment state and orientations of both Lander BELOW with three panels deployed. There remains a good and heatshield to be compared to any selected MRO Pictured from probability for all four panels deployed. But with left to right: the HiRISE image. The modelling scenario simulates Flight Beagle 2 the fourth panel only being visibly illuminated the specific view of the target in the HiRISE image, probe, showing under limited sun angle and HiRISE orbital viewing the Aeroshell Front as seen along the camera boresight under the actual Heatshield and rear conditions, there are insufficient images available to be combination of Sun illumination and orbital location cover protected by able to definitely conclude this. conditions. Outputs from the virtual model are then ablative tiles; the The front heatshield simulation demonstrates that 2 m pilot parachute compared to the HiRISE images of the objects on canopy on test; and the concave face is uppermost with the reflective the Martian terrain. A total of 11 Lander simulated a HiRISE close-up internal thermal blanket exposed. Its orientation has images covering 1, 2, 3 and 4 panels deployed have image of the rear been determined with the cone axis leaning north- cover and tethered been compared to three satellite images, selected pilot parachute west, consistent with it being visible under certain for their variation in the appearance of the object landing sites. illumination conditions.

RECONSTRUCTED BEAGLE 2 ON THE SURFACE

The team at De Monfort University selected a HiRISE image with pixelated Lander image (top left) for a Virtual Modelling simulation. The image shown on the right is a 3D virtual model of the Lander and its associated reflectivities. Using data associated with the selected HiRISE image, illumination of the Lander model simulates the actual Sun vector and is viewed along the HiRISE camera boresight. The orientation and tilt of the Lander have been adjusted to obtain a best fit solution, resulting in the pixelated simulation shown at bottom left. IMAGES THIS PAGE: UCL THIS PAGE: IMAGES

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 23 SPACE PROBES

WHAT WENT WRONG? more interesting. Consideration of all mission phases from launch, The inquiry conducted by the European Space through the seven months of Cruise, six days of coast At least 188 Agency placed emphasis on collision between the back after separation, five minutes of Entry, Descent and cover and the main parachute, failure of the ultra- Landing and three minutes before coming to rest identifiable lightweight main parachute or failure of airbags and and completing on-surface deployments, identifies potential entanglement of the parachute and airbag 78 high level functions, tasks or naturally occurring opportunities during bounces. It is now clear that these criticisms events. Many of these include multiples, for example may have led were misplaced. However, the possibility that the the simultaneous release of the three heatshield bolt mission was at the edge of the Airbag performance cutters or the five solar panel hold down mechanisms. to the loss of capabilities gives concern. But not all are so easily quantifiable, such as the number Airbag leakage rates and risk of rupture on impact of parts susceptible to damage by a single high shock the mission had led to the late introduction of a larger 10 m main event. parachute, a reduction in airbag inflation pressure The result is that at least 188 identifiable and a delay to inflation with the addition of the Radar opportunities may have led to the loss of the mission. Altimeter Trigger (RAT). With the post-dust storm These are listed in the recently published JBIS vol. 70 atmosphere, the descent velocity may have exceeded no.8. Accepting the successes listed below but with the design margins around the nominal 16 m/sec or the fourth solar panel blocking the antenna, these the Radar Altimeter may have triggered the Airbag reduce to 24 relevant functions, tasks or events and Gas Generator late, at a height below the nominal 280 at least 99 opportunities that may have led to the lack m threshold. Perhaps the radar reflective parameters of radio communication. But it should be noted that used did not quite represent those of the unknown, the primary cause of failure is not necessarily to be unmeasured Martian soil. Either may have led to found within the solar panel assembly or the associated under-inflation before first impact. electrical system or software. The drop following release from the airbags can If all panels have deployed, a number of these are no induce a 400 g shock as the lander impacts the surface. longer relevant, but others come into consideration, in The carbon fibre composite structure of the lander does particular those relating to operation of the RF section include an additional outer Kevlar skin over an energy of the radio transceiver and viability of the antenna absorbing foam. Although offering protection, there hardware. The possible listing of potential reasons for could be vulnerability to local deformation inhibiting mission loss for this alternative scenario reduce to 21 solar panel deployment or impact on a sharp rock to relevant functions, tasks or events and 52 opportunities. the internal equipment, including the antenna system. It might be tempting to suggest that one is more likely Following release, the residual stored energy in the than another but all are credible. Unknown damage airbag should eject each segment clear of the lander. may have been inflicted during launch or by the But if one remains in close proximity, either because of vacuum during the journey through space. ABOVE insufficient energy or snagging of the lacing, solar panel The fiery entry of Many of the failure modes, such as a broken wire, Beagle 2 and its deployment could be blocked. Unfortunately it has not a software bug, a cold welded release interface, release survival through been possible to identify airbag hardware in any HiRISE a sequence of hang-ups or vibration and shock loads, are shared with descent and images. many spacecraft. But their criticality is extreme for landing events was Alternatively, the Lander may simply have run out Beagle 2. With the severe constraints placed on mass always going to be of electrical energy. Telemetry just prior to separation a challenging feat and volume by ESA’s Mars Express, redundancy was to achieve. Now we from Mars Express indicates that the battery was at limited to the accelerometers sensing the deceleration know that it worked full capacity and in normal circumstances there would profile during entry and descent and the electrical as planned, with an be sufficient energy in the battery to survive the first unknown reason circuits for pyrotechnic release devices. Other potential for its reluctance to Martian night without solar power to first recharge. But causes for mission loss are more unique and perhaps ‘phone home! the demands for deployments may have been higher

REHABILITATED THE MANY SUCCESSFUL ASPECTS OF THE BEAGLE 2 MISSION

Based upon the interpretation of the HiRISE images that three or the aerodynamics loadings, including through the transition to four solar panels have deployed, an impressive number of subsonic conditions. successes can be identified for Beagle 2. These include: • The front heatshield released, with all three pyrotechnic • Beagle 2 separated from the Mars Express spacecraft with the release bolts being cut simultaneously and separation took required stability, velocity, attitude and trajectory. place without disruption to the stability of the probe. • The primary software based On-board Clock automatically • The lander and airbag assembly and the front heatshield woke up the computer and the Probe Software booted up and separated from back cover, pulling out the main chute. initiated correctly prior to atmosphere entry. • The ultra-lightweight main parachute deployment and inflation • The spin stabilized probe entered the atmosphere at the correct completed and structural loads sustained; there was no entry angle and with the correct angle of attack. re-contact with heatshield which moved ahead under its own • The aerothermal performance through the supersonic phase of momentum. descent was stable and provided the deceleration profile • Radar Altimeter sensed the Martian surface and triggered expected. correctly leading to operation of the Airbag Gas Generator • The aeroshell front heatshield and back cover provided the resulting in Airbag inflation prior to impact. required thermal protection and withstood the structural • Main parachute released at first impact with no re-contact loadings of entry and descent. with the bouncing airbag assembly. • The pilot parachute deployed correctly, inflated and sustained • The accelerometer sensed coming to rest and the Airbag Gas

24 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SPACE PROBES than expected, particularly if the Lander were partially The Lander software was initiated and correctly submerged in the Martian soil and initial opening was operated, opening the Lander and commanding and with the heavier Lander base uppermost. Or the battery controlling solar panel deployments. configuration may have been incorrect. To protect the HiRISE images have provided a consistent onboard computer from impulsive loads induced by impression of the hardware on Mars. The virtual firing pyrotechnic devices, the battery incorporated a modelling simulations have provided strong evidence relay switch to divide the battery into two parts. for the state of the lander and with three solar panels Once all of these tasks were complete and before successfully deployed. The fate of the fourth panel is commencing the deployment sequence, the relay would less definite but there is good indication that this also have been autonomously commanded to reconfigure deployed to its default position. the battery back to a single unit. Failure to change state ABOVE More HiRISE images with different illumination may have resulted in the availability of insufficient The late Professor conditions and view angles may help in reducing the Colin Pillinger – energy to complete solar panel opening. But if all four inspirational leader numbers of identified failure scenarios. But even the panels have deployed and uncovered the antenna to an of the Beagle 2 very best images will only confirm the deployed state extent to allow communication, there is one particular team. of the Lander and unless an airbag segment, a rock or a candidate for mission failure deserving more attention. partially buried lander can be identified as blocking full In the event that Lander On-Board Time had deployment, we will never know the cause of the loss of been lost for some reason, switching on the radio the mission. communication system would not have been Beagle 2, a low cost but high quality science mission, synchronised with the orbiting spacecraft. A hardware is the UK and Europe’s first to land, controlled or based backup clock had been incorporated but failed otherwise, on another body in our solar system. If all prior to launch and could not be replaced due to the solar panels are deployed, if the lander has been able to state of assembly and the fixed launch window. The maintain its health and if the battery still has capacity, system design also incorporated a back-up strategy to could there yet be a way to rescue the mission? SF recover local time by using solar panel output to sense dawn and dusk. But, after landing, with the base tilted Beagle 2 at 12° and the solar panels deployed through 160° at ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS most, accuracy would have been severely compromised. made it to This article is based on a more extensive paper, However, the lander software also included two published in JBIS vol 70 no 8, August 2017, entitled communication search modes. The first requires correct the surface. “Beagle 2 on Mars – The Discovery Assessed” by Jim Clemmet, Mark Sims, Nick Higgett, Teodora on-board time. The second of these would power on the This Kuzmanova, Eric Tatham, Derek Pullan, Jan-Peter transceiver in near-continuous mode during daylight Muller, Alfiah Putri, John Bridges and Judith Pillinger. and intermittently during the Martian night, sending vindicates Recommended additional reading: “Identification out the low power carrier signal whilst waiting for a of the Beagle 2 Lander on Mars”, John Bridges et al, hail. It is apparent that these strategies did not rescue the team’s published by the Royal Society Open Science October the mission. But this may also be as a consequence of 2017 (http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/ constraints on orbiter operations. approach to content/4/10/170785). The complete Beagle 2 team must also be CONCLUSIONS landing on recognised. This achievement would not have been Beagle 2 did not crash into the surface of Mars. The reached without their dedication, determination, Mars professionalism and enthusiasm. And of course the location on the Martian terrain of the objects seen late Professor Colin Pillinger for his imagination, in the HiRISE images, their dispersion together with determination, interrogation and encouragement. their characteristic spectral analysis provide conclusive All images © Beagle 2 with the exception of evidence that Beagle 2 successfully performed a ballistic unedited and unprocessed HiRISE images. atmospheric entry and controlled descent and landing.

Generator and Airbag releases initiated successfully. • All sensed temperatures and voltages during the Cruise phase • The three airbag segments moving away under the residual were nominal. strain energy in the system, pulling the AGS clear. • Software updates and revisions to parameter values loaded • The clamp-band and central lid hold-down released permitting during the cruise phase operated successfully. opening of the lander without hang-up. • The Probe Software successfully performed the handover to • All EDL non-redundant hardware, including electrical the Lander Software for on-surface operations to commence. harnessing, and functions operated as intended. • Lander Software booted up and initiated correctly following • Redundant accelerometers operated and provided correct data the handover from the Probe Software. for EDL control throughout this sequence of events. • Main Lid hinge operated, lifting either the lid or the heavier • The central computer functioned correctly and the power base, and opened the lander sufficiently for solar panel system delivered the required power during the EDL phase. deployment to occur. • The Probe Software managed the Entry and Descent phase of • All solar panel hold-downs functioned and released the solar the mission correctly, all algorithm control parameter values panel stack. Note that no one panel could deploy unless all correct. Software updates performed during Cruise phase were hold-downs operated correctly with the fractured bolts successful. withdrawing. • The UHF transceiver baseband operated successfully during • Solar panel deployment proceeded, resulting with at least the Cruise phase, in support of checkout during the journey three panels deployed to the default angle or greater. towards Mars, providing two way communication via Mars • Correct operation of the Lander Software solar panel control Express. algorithm has been demonstrated.

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 25 SPACE HISTORY Prophet of the Space Age In January 1968, science writer Willy Ley attended a party in Washington DC to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Explorer I – the first US satellite. He recalled that the room “reverberated with reminiscences” as engineers and NASA officials reflected on a decade of public investment in spaceflight. by Jared S Buss

ey explained: “Everybody who had anything the experience as a “shock”, because, “as far as the to do with the project was there… including general, even the interested public was concerned, some who, like me, had only contributed the book might just as well have been printed in moral support.” By this point in his career Sumerian characters”. Las a freelance writer and publicist, Ley Oberth had written a complex scientific had written dozens of books and hundreds of treatise, while Valier popularized his ideas. Ley articles meant to educate and excite the public remembered, “I decided that I could do better than about rockets, missiles, and space flight. He had Valier”. This commitment to popularizing Oberth’s contributed to science fiction pulp magazines, theories led to his first book, Journey into Space, popular magazines, and movies and television as well as several subsequent books that explained programmes. liquid fuels, rocket trajectories, and the possibilities Ley had grown quite famous as a notable rocket of manned space flight in coming decades. Ley also expert and scientific authority, and he stood proudly became involved with the German Rocket Society. next to engineer Wernher von Braun, who had done Ley observed or contributed to hundreds of so much to turn childhood dreams into realities. ABOVE test flights and experiments at Rocket Port Berlin Ley felt humbled in the presence of scientists and Willy Ley in 1937. At where the German Rocket Society conducted variance with the Nazi engineers who did the challenging work, while he regime, he left Germany experiments with liquid fuels and test stands. Ley categorized his own accomplishments as merely to escape the totalitarian also introduced young Wernher von Braun to the “moral support”. Yet Ley also recognized his system and promote the group. While engineers experimented, Ley wrote own contributions, even prior to the creation of peaceful exploration of articles for newspapers. In 1928/29, both Ley and NASA when he remarked: “I would like to be held space. Oberth directly contributed to Fritz Lang’s film The responsible to some extent for the coming age of Woman in the Moon, which depicted a rocket to the space travel”. Moon along with the German conquest of space. Ley’s career as a space flight advocate began decades earlier as a young Berliner. In 1925 he SENDING THE MESSAGE discovered science writer Max Valier’s book, After the Nazi seizure of power, rocket research The Advance into Space, which promoted the was consolidated under the control and secrecy of theories of Professor Hermann Oberth, the often- the German military, while public discussion of acknowledged “father” of German rocketry. “As far RIGHT rockets became forbidden. In Ley’s point of view, as I am concerned”, Ley recalled, “the Space Age Ley was a prolific author the German Rocket Society had been corrupted by began”. Ley studied Oberth’s complicated equations of scientific subjects military-minded leadership, as well as a ridiculous including anthropology and ideas, as presented by Valier. Ley also delved and wrote many books for scheme to launch a manned rocket flight in 1934. into Oberth’s book The Rocket into Interplanetary children including works on After a falling out with certain individuals, Ley

Space, as well as several other works. He described dinosaurs. left Nazi Germany with the help of foreign rocket BUSS VIA JARED IMAGES:

26 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SLUG Prophet of the

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 27 IMAGES: VIA JARED BUSS EXCEPT (0PPOSITE RIGHT) NASA AND (MAGAZINE COVERS) DAVID BAKER DAVID COVERS) AND (MAGAZINE NASA RIGHT) (0PPOSITE BUSS EXCEPT VIA JARED IMAGES:

groups, particularly the American Rocket Society. ABOVE sensation of the Space Age, along with other similar ARS founder G. Edward Pendray supported Ley’s Willy Ley poses alongside a books such as The Exploration of Mars. During scale mock-up of the Viking first year in the United States, as Ley attempted sounding rocket. . the 1950s, Ley wrote monthly columns for Galaxy to popularize rockets and space flight while Science Fiction, as well as hundreds of newspaper experimenting with rocket mail stunts. To Ley’s and magazine articles, such as the famous Collier’s dismay, the American public was uninterested in space flight issues. rockets. In Ley’s words, scientists like Robert H. Many of Ley’s articles were nationally syndicated Goddard were “told to take their science fiction and even reproduced as small paperback books. plots home with them” while “the idea of space These articles educated readers about the flight was by no means popular yet, especially in the possibilities of space travel, if public support and United States”. investment remained strong. Ley firmly believed For the next two decades, Ley popularized that educating and exciting a younger audience and rockets and spaceflight in science fiction pulps, the public would solidify an indispensable future magazines, and books. Most notably, his 1944 for “Operation Outer Space”. book Rockets: The Future of Travel Beyond BELOW He evangelized this message on countless the Stratosphere became an important guide, Long before the dawn of television or radio programmes as America’s eventually becoming “the” book on rockets during the Space Age, Ley did trusted scientific authority. He directly consulted the 1950s, when Ley renamed it Rockets, Missiles, much to popularize space for television programmes such as Tom Corbett, exploration through books and Space Travel. Ley’s Rockets went through 21 describing the possibilities Space Cadet and Disney’s Man in Space television editions and four major revisions. which would open up with specials. He contributed to Disneyland’s By 1968, the book had “a history of its own” as rockets and spacecraft. “Tomorrowland” rocket rides and educational the most popular and authoritative book, according exhibits. Additionally, Ley toured the nation on to NASA historian Eugene M. Emme. A different lecture tours. He frequented schools, universities, reviewer noted, “If you can buy only one book to and rotary clubs as a keynote speaker who educated learn not only the past but the future of space flight, the American public about rockets, missiles, and this is the one to buy – accept no substitutes”. Ley’s the future. Rockets inspired generations of children and adults By the late 1950s, children could buy and to dream of a future of space travel, both prior to assemble Willy Ley’s toy space models, or they the creation of NASA and during the Apollo era. could receive copies of his General Mills books by Ley wrote many other books that inspired collecting cereal box cut-outs. Incidentally, his fans audiences. His 1949 The Conquest of Space became could expand their scientific knowledge by reading an international best-seller, due to both Ley’s text his other books on natural history, zoology, and and beautiful illustrations by Hollywood artist astronomy. Ley inspired his readers to wonder and Chesley Bonestell. Conquest was the coffee-table explore.

28 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SPACE HISTORY

DENIED THE PRIZE Tragically, Ley died of a heart attack prior to the lunar landing in 1969. He was 62 years old. Due to his passing, many science fiction writers and colleagues found the celebration of Apollo 11 to be bittersweet. His wife Olga argued that the Moon landing “was the justification of all his dreams”, yet Ley did not live to experience it through television. Science fiction writer Isaac Asimov remarked: “Willy had spent almost his whole life wrapped in rocketry. He was the world’s leading writer on the subject… and he died six weeks before the attempt was to be made”. Other authors lamented the loss of a leading authority and guiding spirit of the Space Age. Some even predicted dire consequences for NASA if a comparable publicist and popularizer failed to follow in Ley’s path. Writer Lester del Rey wrote ABOVE In these perspectives, Willy Ley directly the most emotional obituary for Galaxy, titled Willy Ley (right) with Heinz contributed to and even engineered the Space Age. Haber, the German research “The First Citizen on the Moon”. Del Rey argued: scientist (left) and Wernher For example, Wernher von Braun acknowledged “He took what must be the very basic dream with von Braun in 1954. Ley’s role: “He has done more than any man I which science fiction began… And more than any know to carry the space message to the public, other man, often by the least obvious means, he particularly to the younger generation. He built that dream into reality”. deserves much credit for the space consciousness “Somehow, through all his articles,” del Rey which has gripped the United States and which continued, “Willy and those who were converted is the indispensable foundation of the American by him had managed to convince half the space programme”. nation that there was value enough in the space Ley had spent decades educating the public programme… And step by step he led them to about rockets and space travel. He excited turn their eyes from the single planet to the vast audiences to wonder about distant frontiers and reaches of space.” Del Rey concluded his obituary: interplanetary adventures. He celebrated the “He missed his goal of seeing the first man on amazing accomplishments of humankind, despite the Moon by a month. But there is precedent obstacles or barriers. Through his tireless for that… And Moses went up from the plains promotion of future endeavours, Ley inspired unto the Mountain… And the Lord showed him millions of Americans to hope and dream. More ABOVE the land… And the Lord said unto him… I have Above Ley wrote for several than any other writer, he stoked those hopes and caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt popular magazines in dreams prior to the creation of NASA. He was not go over thither.” America and elsewhere.. America’s prophet of the Space Age. SF

BOOK OF THE PROPHET An adjunct professor of history at Oklahoma City Community College, Jared Buss has written a comprehensive review of Ley’s life and his prolific output of magazine articles, stories and seminal histories of research into rocketry and the possibilities of space travel. This is arguably the most comprehensive and well written biography of Willy Ley yet published and his book is an important contribution to the library of German rocket research and the mindset of German researchers during the pre-War period. In 321 pages, Jared Buss dissects the life of Willy Ley who spent time for a while dabbling on the fringes of rocket engineering before choosing a career as writer and author, providing an insightful description of his vicissitudes and idiosyncrasies as well as controversial views which today are difficult to conflate with the man of vision and foresight. Ley is a complex character, an early member of the Nazi Party, he came to revile the autocratic extremism and had little sympathy for its more extreme political messages. With friends outside Germany he was able to flee the AGE (ISBN: 9780813054438) IS PUBLISHED IN HARDBACK BY UNIVERSITY PRESS OF FLORIDA UNIVERSITY BY IS PUBLISHED IN HARDBACK (ISBN: 9780813054438) AGE country in 1937 and to take upon himself the evangelical role of publicizing rocketry and space travel before von Braun emerged in that role during the 1950s. For a time he worked for the left-wing press and then abandoned a political church for a broadly egalitarian message. While controversial in many respects, Ley undoubtedly had a major influence on the public perception of science and the Space Age he foretold. A founder of the British Interplanetary Society, Phil Cleator was fearful that the death of Ley a month before the first Moon landing would leave a vacuum “at a time when the need for better understanding of the aims and possibilities of space flight is critical”. WILLY LEY – PROPHET OF THE SPACE OF LEY – PROPHET WILLY

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 29 HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT Happy landings Following on from three earlier reports to the BIS on the landings of Soyuz spacecraft, the second and third of which focused on the recovery times of Soviet/Russian photo-reconnaissance satellites, specialist analyst Phil Clark examines the recovery conditions for 135 Soyuz flights in detail. by Phillip S Clark

nalysis done during 1976-1977 resulted in and Soyuz-TM spacecraft are known. As the landing a report written in 1978 but published in of Soyuz-MS 7 is scheduled for 3 June 2018, the day 19791 that showed that successful Soyuz Here we after the presentation of this report at the BIS Sino- missions would be recovered during the five discuss the Russian Forum, it is excluded from the discussions here A hours leading up to sunset at the landing site. – although the spacecraft will have landed by the time Indeed, most spacecraft were being recovered between this is published. This report also excludes the landing sunset and 2.5 hours before sunset. This allowed the recoveries up of Soyuz 18-1 – the launch abort in April 1975, which (then) future landing opportunities for 1979 and to and resulted in the two-man crew performing an emergency 1980 missions to Salyut 6 to be accurately predicted landing at 50.83º N by 83.42º E, far outside the normal in 1978 (these predictions were included in Report including Soyuz landing areas. 1). Since it was not expected that Salyut 6 would be Note that it is the norm for the first flight in each occupied beyond 1980, the privately circulated landing Soyuz-MS 6 series of Soyuz variants to be un-numbered. In this predictions for 1981 were not published. respect Soyuz 1 is an obvious exception, and it is The same landing window rules continued when the thought that the flight received a number because it Soyuz-T variant was introduced for piloted missions was planned that Soyuz 2 would be launched within 24 in 1980. But the advent of the Soyuz-TM variant and hours of it. A minor liberty is also taken with the names its successors resulted in the precise landing windows of Soyuz spacecraft. The Russians use the format “Soyuz BELOW being abandoned; landings henceforth appeared to The original June MS-3”, while here we use “Soyuz-MS 3”, the reason

take place at any time so long as it was daylight at the 1979 graph, with being that it makes more sense to talk about “the third / GRAPH: PHILLIP S CLARK NASA MAIN IMAGE: landing site. landing times as decimals of a day. Here we discuss the recoveries of all Soyuz spacecraft The three curves up to and including Soyuz-MS 6. This covers 138 represent times of spacecraft, although we know – to differing degrees of sunset, 0.1 days before sunset and accuracy – the landing sites of 135 spacecraft. No details 0.2 days before of the landing sites for the unmanned Soyuz 2, Soyuz-T sunset.

30 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SLUG

TABLE 1 SOYUZ LANDING PROFILE Time before landing Altitude Latitude Longitude Velocity EVENT (hh mm ss) (km) (deg) (deg) (m/s) Undocking from ISS 03:24:20 Retrofire begins 52:13 415.3 -48.30 318.10 7,357 Retrofire ends 47:31 406.1 -39.33 338.77 7,242 Modules separate 25:21 140.0 26.23 36.08 7,566 Atmospheric entry 22:28 99.7 34.60 45.42 7,615 Aerodynamic control starts 20:57 80.1 38.67 51.17 7,615 Maximum G-load 16:10 34.4 47.15 68.20 2,166 Command to release parachute 14:13 10.8 47.28 69.35 212 Landing 0:00 0 47.35 69.57 0 Note: These details relate specifically to the return to Earth of Soyuz-TMA 16M from the International Space Station, but they can be taken as being typical for all Soyuz re-entries. They are based upon a table on http://www.russianspaceweb.com/iss_soyuz_tma16m.html.

Soyuz-MS” rather than “the MS-3rd Soyuz”. However, eased significantly. this does conflict with the formal designation. Table 1 is a summary of the events between the separation of a Soyuz spacecraft from ISS and its CONSTRAINTS AND TIMELINES landing on Earth. The standard interval between Some details of the Soyuz landing constraints were undocking and landing has been around 3h 20-30m given at the time of the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project4, and since the 1970s. essentially these remained in place for the Soyuz and As previously noted, the first report presented Soyuz-T programmes: the landing must take place at an initial analysis of the times of Soyuz spacecraft least one hour before the actual time of sunset in the returning to Earth relative to the times of local sunset landing area. Prior to the firing of the retrorocket, the when the landings took place (of course, with the requirement of the manual orientation system must advent of computers, it is now much easier and faster be fulfilled – the time from the crossing of the Earth’s to complete such calculations). The landing times were terminator to retrofire must be at least eight minutes. converted to decimals of a day GMT (= UT) and the Without knowing the above details, a relationship between a Soyuz landing time and the local time of BELOW sunset was deduced statistically and formed the basis of Photographers gather 1 for a spectacular Soyuz the analysis contained in Report 1 . As discussed below, launch from the Baikonur it is clear that the original landing constraints have been Cosmodrome.

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 31 SOYUZ LANDING DATES AND TIMES

SOYUZ LANDING SITES MAIN IMAGE: NASA / GRAPHS: PHILLIP S CLARK NASA MAIN IMAGE: 32 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SLUG SOYUZ LANDING DATES AND TIMES

SOYUZ LANDING SITES

SOYUZ LANDING SITES (ALL)

The graphs depicted here show the landing dates, times and sites for the Soyuz-T, Soyuz- TM, Soyuz-TMA M and Soyuz- MS spacecraft as described in the text. The background image pictures a Soyuz TMA-20 firing its deceleration rockets moments before touchdown. SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 33 HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT

TABLE 2 TOWNS LINKED TO SOYUZ LANDINGS each series of Soyuz spacecraft, and these are shown in the six ‘Landing dates and Times’ graphs on the Code Latitude Longitude TOWN previous page. On these graphs only the sunset and “2.5 (deg N) (deg E) hours before sunset” lines are shown, along with the Arkalyk Ar 50.25 66.93 spacecraft landings. It is clear that the same landing constraints were in Baikonur Ba 45.62 63.32 place compared with those noted for the original 1979 report, but a major change came with the Soyuz-TM Dzezhkazgan* Dz 47.78 67.70 series of spacecraft. Now the landings were coming Karaganda Ka 49.83 73.17 throughout the daylight hours, with relatively few in local darkness. Karazhai Kr 47.36 70.12 Starting with the Soyuz-TMA series, it is clear Kokchetav* Kk 43.28 69.38 that there are “seasons” for Soyuz landings – and of course, this is a result of the residencies aboard the Kustani Ku 53.31 63.61 International Space Station having similar durations and being launched at similar times of the year. Since Lake Tengiz LT 50.44 68.90 the Soviet/Russian manned space programme has been Orenberg Or 51.78 55.10 so open, we know that no Soyuz mission has been curtailed earlier than planned since the early recall of Tselinograd* Ts 51.17 71.43 Soyuz-T 14 due to the illness of mission commander Notes: The latitudes and longitudes are taken from Wikipedia entries. The codes shown Vladimir Vasyutin. Some landings have been above are used on the maps of the landing sites. rescheduled while the spacecraft has been in flight, but * Some towns have been renamed since the Soviet era: Dzezhkazgan is now Jezkazgan, not because of serious hardware failures or crew illness. Kokchetav is now Kokshetau and Tselinograd is now Astana. SOYUZ LANDING AREAS three “curves” represent the times of sunset, 0.1 days During the Soviet era it was normal for spacecraft (2 hr 24 min) before sunset and 0.2 days (4 hr 48 min) landing sites to be identified in the form X-km before sunset. direction from a named town, where X might be The sunset time had been calculated for the landing given to the nearest kilometre or to the nearest 100 area and then converted to GMT/UT as a standard. It BELOW km and the direction would be the four cardinal The landing was noted that the landings of Soyuz spacecraft that sequence for points of the compass or NE, SE, SW or NW. had completed their planned missions came between Soyuz TMA-17, While this information was useful for identifying as viewed from sunset and approximately 0.2 days before sunset. The an approaching the general area of a landing, it was difficult to landings outside this range tended to be the missions helicopter, make precise calculations of the latitude and which had been recalled to Earth early – usually indicating the longitude of the landing site. This was because… sequence of events because the spacecraft had failed to dock with its target essential to getting  Salyut orbital station. Soyuz 20 had been an unmanned the crew on he …we do not know whether the distances were mission. ground without consistently measured from the centre of the town injury as the For the computer-generated update of that original retro-rockets fire to named, from a border, or from some other landmark calculation, a revised format has been generated for cushion the impact. …the distances would often be rounded, therefore NASA

34 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight HUMAN SPACEFLIGHT

TABLE 3 THE PRIMARY SOYUZ LANDING SITES Northern site Southern site SITE IDENTITY (deg N) (deg E) Nearby town Arkalyk Karazhai (Dzezhkazgan) Landings used 41 41 Latitude

maximum, deg N 51.70 49.62 mean, deg N 50.83 47.48 minimum, deg N 49.90 46.70

NASA standard deviation, deg 0.39 0.53

giving an implied error of +5 km or +50 km, depending Longitude on the number of digits in the quoted distance maximum, deg E 68.37 70.25 …the directions were spaced at 45 degrees and therefore there was an implied error of +22.5 degrees in any mean, deg E 67.34 69.63 direction that was quoted. minimum, deg E Taking all these inherent errors together, any 66.70 68.70 calculations based such announcements necessarily standard deviation, deg 0.28 0.25 have very limited accuracy, no matter how “accurate” the arithmetic might be for the latitude and longitude directions. However, as the Soviet and then Russian ABOVE LEFT two sites that have each accounted for 41 landings. The Soyuz TMA-21 piloted programme became more “open” ,the landing returns with “Northern Site” has the spacecraft landing generally to sites started to be identified accurately in terms of crewmembers from the east of Arkalyk. The “Southern Site” usually has the latitude and longitude. This happened routinely for the ISS Expedition landing locations referred to in relation to Dzezhkazgan 28 mission on 16 flights that were returning Western cosmonauts to September 2011 but in fact the landings come closer to Karazhai, to the Earth, and became routine with the advent of crews after spending more west of that town and east of Dzezhkazgan. Details of returning from the International Space Station. than five months these two landing areas are given in Table 3. docked to the Of the 135 landings reviewed here, we have only station. It is possible that there was a third landing area in the the approximate locations based on the direction and general vicinity of Tselinograd and Karaganda, but this distance from a named town for 43 of them, while for was only used for the original series of Soyuz landings. 92 landings the latitudes and longitudes are known. It is also clear that as time has gone on, the Soyuz Most of the latitudes and longitudes used for the landing sites have become smaller – with all the Soyuz- graphs shown here are taken from the researches of MS landings (to date) being restricted to the Southern Andrey Krasilnikov, who has shared the data in private Site, near Karazhai. correspondence. Some of his data have been published It is possible to compare the known latitudes and online at the SpaceFacts web site (www.spacefacts.de). longitudes for landings with the locations based on the Looking at the landing maps on the previous pages, distances and directions of the sites from the reference we can see which missions came down at “isolated” towns, and thus obtain the error in the calculated locations, away from the normal landing sites: locations that shows the resulting errors in latitude and • Soyuz 1(b, e), 3, 5(b), 8, 13, 16, 20, 21(e), 22, 23(e), longitude: most errors are less than 0.75 degrees in both 25(e), 32, 33(e) It is possible latitude and longitude, with the latitude error most • Soyuz-T 13 likely to be positive. SF • Soyuz-TM 17, 23, 31 to identify • Soyuz-TMA 1(b), 10(b), 11(b) two sites that REFERENCES We know from Soviet/Russian information that 1 Phillip S Clark, “Soyuz Missions to Salyut Stations”, some missions (indicated by “b” in parentheses above) have each SpaceFlight 21, 259-263 (June 1979). made ballistic re-entries, which meant that they landed 2 Phillip S Clark, “Soviet Spacecraft Recoveries”, JBIS short of the planned landing sites. Other missions accounted 36, 186-191 (1983). were curtailed earlier than intended (shown with “e” 3 Phillip S Clark, “Final Equator Crossings and Landing in parentheses above) and therefore landed outside the for 41 Sites of CIS Satellites”, JBIS 55, 21-34 (2002). standard landing areas. Soyuz 20 was an unmanned mission and Soyuz 32 landings 4 Apollo Soyuz Test Project Launch Window Plan, NASA ASTP 40100.3, January 25, 1974, page 10. returned to Earth unmanned (the crew it had carried into orbit returned aboard Soyuz 34). Although we ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS do not know the landing site, it will be noted that the unmanned Soyuz 2 completed a ballistic re-entry after The author would like to thank Sven Grahn for being used as a rendezvous target by the manned Soyuz sending him a copy of (4). Thanks are also due to Andrey Krasilnikov for letting the author have a copy 3. of his spreadsheet with details of the recoveries of Using the Soyuz landing sites for which we have piloted spacecraft. actual latitudes and longitudes, it is possible to identify

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 35 SATELLITE DIGEST Satellite Digest 546 Satellite Digest is SpaceFlight’s regular listing of world space launches using orbital data from the United States Strategic Command space-track.org website. Compiled by Geoff Richards

Spacecraft International Date Launch Launch vehicle Mass Orbital Inclin. Period Perigee Apogee Notes designation site (kg) epoch (deg) (min) (km) (km) Dragon CRS 14 2018-032A Apr 2.85 ETR Falcon 9FT 10,000? Apr 4.22 51.64 92.56 404 406 [1] Superbird 8 2018-033A Apr 5.90 CSG Ariane-5ECA 5,348 Apr 16.70 0.09 1,436.02 35,782 35,792 [2] HYLAS 4 2018-033B 4,050 Apr 22.36 0.04 1,436.05 35,781 35,794 [3] Yaogan 31-01 01 2018-034A Apr 10.18 Jiuquan Chang Zheng 4C 1,000? May 7.68 63.41 106.99 1,082 1,098 [4] Yaogan 31-01 02 2018-034B 1,000? May 8.20 63.40 106.99 1,082 1,098 [4] Yaogan 31-01 03 2018-034C 1,000? May 10.13 63.41 106.99 1,082 1,098 [4] Weina 1B 2018-034E 10? Apr 10.48 63.41 107.04 1,085 1,100 [5] IRNSS 1I 2018-035A Apr 11.96 SHAR PSLV-XL 1,425 Apr 30.58 28.56 1,436.02 35,701 35,872 [6] CBAS 2018-036A Apr 14.97 ETR Atlas V 551 2,500? Apr 27.07 0.05 1,408.90 35,233 35,275 [7] EAGLE 2018-036B 1,000? Apr 27.06 0.06 1,409.87 35,259 35,288 [8] USA 285 2018-036E 100? Orbit similar to EAGLE [9] USA 286 2018-036F 100? Orbit similar to EAGLE [9] USA 287 2018-036G 100? Orbit similar to EAGLE [9] Kosmos 2526 2018-037A Apr 18.92 Baykonur Proton-M-Briz-M 2,600? May 9.58 0.04 1,436.00 35,782 35,791 [10] TESS 2018-038A Apr 18.95 ETR Falcon 9FT 362 Apr 25.29 28.38 13,130.39 2,233 354,058 [11] Sentinel 3B 2018-039A Apr 25.75 Plesetsk Rokot-Briz-KM 1,244 Apr 26.44 98.63 101.02 802 815 [12] Zuhai 1 OHS 01 2018-040A Apr 26.20 Jiuquan Chang Zheng 11 90? Apr 26.32 97.40 94.65 495 512 [13] Zuhai 1 OVS 2 2018-040B 90 Apr 26.32 97.40 94.65 495 512 [13] Zuhai 1 OHS 02 2018-040C 90? Apr 26.52 97.40 94.64 494 511 [13] Zuhai 1 OHS 03 2018-040D 90? Apr 26.59 97.40 94.63 493 512 [13] Zuhai 1 OHS 04 2018-040E 90? Apr 26.32 97.40 94.62 492 512 [13]

NOTES

1. Dragon freighter spacecraft, ISS Mission SpX-14, built and launched for voice communications and a radiation sensor, a co-operation by SpaceX as part of NASA’s CRS programme for transport to ISS with Japan Space Forum and Kyushu Institute of Technology; with 1,721 kg of internal cargo including new experiments, the 1KUNS-PF (First Kenyan University Nano Satellite-Precursor Flight), RemoveDebris satellite, a J-SSOD deployer with three Cubesats a technology development 1 kg 1U Cubesat built by the University and 926 kg of unpressurised cargo: the MISSE-FF 1 sample of Nairobi carrying a wide-angle camera for earth observation and exposure facility, two cameras, three photometers and an X-ray a momentum wheel for performance test and Irazú (named for a detector (ASIM) for transient luminous phenomena associated volcano in Costa Rica), a technology development 1 kg 1U Cubesat with thunderstorms and a spare PFCS pump flow module. Launch built by Central American Association of Aeronautics and Space vehicle first stage was re-used from launch of Dragon CRS 12. (ACAE) and Costa Rica Technology Institute (ITCR) carrying a store- Spacecraft, including a return capsule from the Dragon CRS 8 and-forward transponder for communications and a secondary mission, captured by the ISS arm April 4.44 and docked at the ISS/ computer with gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers Harmony nadir port April 4.54. MISSE-FF 1 was transferred to ELC-2, (SOBC) for attitude and magnetic field. PFCS to P6, replacing a failed unit that was transferred to Dragon, and ASIM was transferred to Columbus EPF. RemoveDebris, a 100 2. Dual purpose communications satellite built by Mitsubishi and NEC kg technology development satellite built by Surrey Space Centre using a Mitsubishi DS2000 bus and launched by Arianespace for for the EC, comprised the RemoveSat satellite using an SSTL-X50 SKY Perfect JSAT and DSN, with the Superbird payload for civilian bus with cameras and a lidar (VBN) to detect space objects, a net service to Japan and surrounding countries and the Kirameki 1 deployment system and a harpoon to investigate debris capture, (DSN 1) payload to be used by the Japanese military services. Mass a deployable target for the harpoon, two ISISPod deployers for quoted above is at launch. The satellite is located at 158°E for test the DebisSat target 2U Cubesats and a deployable DeOrbitSail and will be located at 162°E for service to Japan. drag sail to hasten decay. DebrisSat 1 is carrying a deployable octahedral target and DebrisSat 2 is a target for VBN. The three 3. HYLAS is a communications satellite built using an Orbital ATK J-SSOD payloads are Ubakusat, a technology development 4 kg 3U GEOStar 3 bus for Avanti Communications. Mass quoted above is at Cubesat built by Istanbul Technical University using an ISIS bus for launch. The satellite is located at 21.3°E for test and will be located a group of three Turkish ministries carrying a VHF/UHF transponder over 33.5°W for high-throughput communications service to Europe,

36 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SATELLITE DIGEST

Africa and the Atlantic region. ESPASat bus by Orbital ATK for the USAF and carrying sensors to locate and track other satellites and space debris, accelerometers 4. Yaogan 31 Group 01 triplet of Earth observation satellites built by and a GPS receiver. Intended to test sensors and navigation CAST for “electromagnetic measurements and related technical techniques, it will move away from EAGLE then manoeuvre to tests”. Naming of satellites and announced purpose would suggest rendezvous and inspect it. Released pictures of EAGLE suggest that satellites are related to the Yaogan 30 groups, but orbit and a second ESPASat payload (ARMOR?) though only Mycroft was manoeuvres to triangular formation show instead a connection with announced as a free-flying satellite. There is no information as to the the earlier, presumed Jianbing 8, type of satellite triplet equipped identity of the third satellite. with radio receivers to track shipping. Orbital plane similar to that of the Yaogan Weixing 17 triplet, so all three Jianbing 8 planes now 10. Blagovest 12L communications satellite built using an Ekspress-2000 have two triplets each. bus by ISS Reshetnev for MORF. Launched into geostationary drift orbit, satellite is now stationed over 80°E for test and will be 5. Weina (Micro-nano) technology test satellite built by SECM, stationed over 128°E for communications, including Internet service, possibly a communications technology satellite for Micro-NST to Russian military users. (Beijing Micro-Nano Star Technology Co., Ltd). 11. Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite astronomy satellite built using 6. Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System navigation satellite a LEOStar 2 bus by Orbital ATK for NASA carrying four wide-field built by ISRO using an I-1000 bus. Mass quoted above is at launch, visible/infra-red CCD cameras for stellar brightness variation. First dry mass is 598 kg. Orbit is inclined geosynchronous centred over mission in new Explorer (EX) programme will be used for detection 55°E to replace IRNSS 1A in the NavIC constellation. of exoplanets from the light variation as they transit their stars and also for stellar physics data from brightness variation. Satellite 7. Continuous Broadcast Augmenting Satcom, or USA 283, will spend 27 days observing time on each of 26 sectors that cover communications satellite built by an unknown contractor for almost the entire sky. Orbit given is after apogee-raising manoeuvre the USAF. Used to provide broadcast service to US forces and April 25. Planned to use lunar swing-by to help reach an operational presumably augment the WGS and AEHF systems. Together with orbit with half the Moon’s period. EAGLE comprised the AFSPC 11 mission. Orbital data for this launch is classified, drift orbit over the Pacific Ocean given is from amateur 12. Survey satellite built using a PRIMA bus by Thales Alenia Space trackers. for ESA and launched by Eurockot with an imaging spectrometer (OCLI) for ocean colour, a scanning visible/infra-red radiometer 8. ESPA Augmented Geosynchronous Laboratory Experiment, or USA (SLSTR) for surface temperature and fires, a radar altimeter (SRAL) 284, is a technology development payload built around an ESPA for ocean height, a microwave radiometer (MWR) for atmospheric adapter (ESPAStar bus) by Orbital ATK for the USAF STP programme water vapour and a GPS/Galileo receiver, a DORIS transponder and with five payloads: HTI-SpX (Hypertemporal Imaging Space laser retro-reflectors for precision tracking, part of the European Experiment) with ultraviolet, visual and infra-red imagers to observe Commission’s Copernicus programme. Satellite will provide data other satellites and a computer to recognise changes over time; continuity from the Envisat and CryoSat programmes. In same orbital Mycroft; CEASE-III-RR (Compact Environmental Anomaly Sensor III plane as Sentinel 3A. Risk Reduction) with two solid-state proton and electron telescope instruments (LEPET and HEPET) and an electrostatic analyser for 13. Zhuhai 1 Group 02 are a set of Earth survey satellites built by Zhuhai the radiation environment; ISAL (Inverse Synthetic Aperture Ladar) Orbital Control Engineering Ltd each with an instrument for Earth with a laser radar for high-resolution imaging of satellites in imaging, with Orbita Video Satellite (OVS 2) carrying a high- geostationary orbit and ARMOR (AFRL-1201 Resilient Spacecraft Bus resolution video camera and the Orbita Hyperspectral Satellites Development Experiment). (OHS) each carrying a hyperspectral scanner. Satellites are part of the planned multi-satellite Orbita system. OHS 01 is also known 9. USA 285 and USA 286 are two small satellites ejected from EAGLE as Qingkeda 1 and OHS 03 as Guiyang 1 after sponsors Qingdao about April 26. A third satellite, USA 287, was catalogued on May University of Science and Technology and Guiyang, the capital city 11. One of these is the Mycroft inspection satellite, built using an of Guizhou province.

SpaceX launches the CRS-14 mission and its Dragon capsule on 2 April. SPACEX

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 37 SATELLITE DIGEST

ADDITIONS AND UPDATES DESIGNATION COMMENTS DESIGNATION COMMENTS 1997-043B Iridium 25, a reserve satellite, was manoeuvred to a and began its science mission April 21. disposal orbit April 19. Add orbit: 2016-052A GSSAP 3 (USA 270) has manoeuvred from an eastward Apr 26.50 86.42° 92.60 min 175 km 632 km to a westward drift orbit, according to amateur 1997-046A Intelsat 5 was manoeuvred off station at 157°E about trackers. April 19 and is drifting to the east. 2016-065A Shi Jian 17 was manoeuvred from April 14 to 16 from 1997-056B Iridium 35 was manoeuvred out of the Iridium an eastward to a westward drift orbit. constellation to a reserve orbit about April 12. 2017-004A SBIRS GEO-3 (USA 273) was manoeuvred off station 1997-082B Iridium 46, mentioned in Satellite Digest 545, is being at 139°E about April 4 and is drifting to the east, tracked under the incorrect designation 1997-043C, a according to amateur trackers. confusion with Iridium 24 which dates from 1998. 2017-025A Inmarsat 5 F4 was relocated at 56.5°E April 17. 1998-032B Iridium 72 was manoeuvred out of the Iridium 2017-037D Kosmos 2521 manoeuvred to a lower orbit April 30. constellation to a disposal orbit April 26. Add orbit: Add orbit: May 5.18 86.39° 91.37 min 170 km 517 km Apr 30.86 97.91° 91.70 min 350 km 369 km 1998-074A Iridium 20 was manoeuvred out of the Iridium 2017-050A ORS 5 has been detected by amateur trackers. Add constellation to a reserve orbit about April 6. orbit: 1998-074B Iridium 11 was manoeuvred out of the Iridium Apr 20.27 0.02° 96.41 min 596 km 597 km constellation to a reserve orbit about April 22. 2017-052A OTV 5 (USA 277) has been detected by amateur 2000-054A ASTRA 2B, at 19.6°W co-located with NSS 7 since trackers who observed a manoeuvre to a lower orbit August 3, was manoeuvred off station at about April 17 April 19. Add orbits: and is drifting to the east. Apr 11.13 54.47° 91.56 min 355 km 356 km 2000-081A ASTRA 2D was manoeuvred off station at 59.7°E April Apr 21.92 54.51° 90.77 min 313 km 321 km 25 and is drifting to the west. 2017-065A Progress MS-07 was de-orbited over the Pacific 2001-024A Intelsat 901 was relocated at 29.5°W, co-located with Ocean April 26.17. Intelsat 9, April 20. 2017-073A NOAA 20 has completed testing, with control 2001-025A ASTRA 2C was manoeuvred off station at 60.3°E April transferred to NASA April 12. 16 and is drifting to the west. 2017-078A Alcomsat was declared operational April 1. 2002-043A Kalpana 1 has not been tracked since March 5. It has 2017-086A Attempts to recover contact with Angosat have been possibly manoeuvred from its station at 72.8°E to a unsuccessful. retirement orbit. 2018-004C LEO Vantage 1 appears to have reached its operational 2004-004A DSP 22 (USA 176) has manoeuvred off station at orbit. Add orbit: 67.5°E and is drifting to the east, according to amateur Apr 5.80 99.49° 105.09 min 996 km 1,004 km trackers. 2018-012A Al Yah 3 reached geostationary orbit stationed over 2007-043A Dawn began manoeuvring April 17 to lower orbit to 20°W by May 1. Add orbit: gather further surface composition data. May 2.44 0.06° 1,436.02 min 35,781 km 35,793 km 2009-070C Kosmos 2458 (Uragan-M 734) was withdrawn from 2018-013A GovSat 1 has relocated from 21.5°E to 23.5°E, service April 19. according to amateur trackers. 2014-055A CLIO (USA 257) is now stationed at 87°E, according to 2018-015E,F GomX-4B and Ulloriaq completed testing April 12. amateur trackers. GomX-4B has carried out small manoeuvres to keep in 2014-058A Luch (Olimp-K) was manoeuvred off station at 42.6°E communications range of Ulloriaq. April 20 and was relocated at 47.5°E April 26. 2018-029B Beidou DW31 has manoeuvred to plane A, slot 1 of the 2014-090A Feng Yun 2G was manoeuvred off station at 105°E April Beidou constellation. Add orbit: 9 and was relocated back at 99.5°E April 14. May 1.12 55.03° 773.18 min 21,512 km 21,544 km 2016-017A TGO manoeuvred to its 400 km science orbit by April 9 2018-030A-K The ten Iridium satellites have manoeuvred to operational orbits in Plane 1. Iridium 143 is replacing Iridium 72, Iridium 145 is replacing Iridium 21, Iridium 157 is replacing Iridium 68, Iridium 142 is replacing Iridium 67, Iridium 146 is replacing Iridium 66, Iridium 149 is replacing Iridium 65, Iridium 144 is replacing Iridium 64, Iridium 150 is replacing Iridium 62, Iridium 148 is replacing Iridium 70 and Iridium 140 is replacing Iridium 75. The first two were operational by April 20 and the rest by mid May. Add orbits for Iridium 144, 149, 157, 140, 145, 146, 148, 142, 150 and 143: Apr 28.51 86.39° 100.37 min 776 km 779 km Apr 26.70 86.39° 100.37 min 777 km 779 km Apr 20.51 86.39° 100.37 min 776 km 780 km May 7.42 86.40° 100.37 min 777 km 778 km Apr 17.03 86.39° 100.37 min 777 km 778 km Apr 26.08 86.39° 100.37 min 776 km 779 km May 4.49 86.40° 100.37 min 776 km 779 km Apr 20.85 86.39° 100.37 min 776 km 779 km May 3.94 86.40° 100.37 min 776 km 779 km Apr 16.90 86.39° 100.37 min 777 km 779 km The power of a Falcon 9 demonstrated during the launch of exoplanet 2018-031B,D Gaofen 1-03 and 1-04 have manoeuvred so that they hunter TESS on 18 April.

SPACEX and Gaofen 1-02 are spaced equally around their orbit.

38 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ACTIVITY

There was the following orbital manoeuvre of ISS during April, boosted by Progress MS-08: Pre-manoeuvre orbit: Apr 18.41 51.64° 92.55 min 403 km 406 km Post-manoeuvre orbit: Apr 18.61 51.64° 92.57 min 403 km 407 km

End-of-April orbital data: Apr 30.90 51.64° 92.56 min 402 km 407 km

RECENTLY DETAILED ORBITAL DECAYS International Object name Decay Designation

1978-087A Jikiken (EXOS B) Apr 22.6 1995-074A RXTE Apr 30.61 1997-030E Iridium 13 Apr 29.38 1997-056A Iridium 19 Apr 7.3 2002-005C Iridium 94 Apr 18.25 2011-054A Tiangong 1 Apr 2.01 2013-064T Horus (STARE B) Apr 26.8 1998-067HZ Flock 2e’-1 Apr 15.6 1998-067JA Flock 2e’-3 Apr 18.51 1998-067JG Flock 2e-3 Apr 5.1 1998-067JP Flock 2e-7 Apr 6.2 1998-067JS Flock 2e’-6 Apr 5.3 1998-067JT Flock 2e’-8 Apr 5.9 1998-067LC Lemur 2 Trutna Apr 15.1 2017-065A Progress MS-07 Apr 26.20

Pictured: Progress MS-07, which was de-orbited on 26 April.

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 39 SPACE HISTORY FLASHBACK

A look back at the milestones in spaceflight that happened 50 years ago this month

he fear that one day astronauts may be placed in danger and find themselves in dire need of assistance from a foreign power had moved the General Assembly of the United Nations T on 19 December 1967 to endorse a space treaty signed by 43 nations on 22 April 1968. President Lyndon Johnson formally asked the US Senate to ratify that treaty on 15 July, referring to it as “another step toward stable peace on this threatened Earth”. The treaty obligated signatories to give all possible assistance to astronauts or cosmonauts who found themselves in emergency situations that brought them down on foreign territory and to return them as quickly as possible to their country of origin. President Johnson believed it looked “beyond the old divisions of history and ideology to recognise the challenge of common peril and the benefits of common action”. He believed that, “our laws and treaties must always keep pace with our science”, and that “surely two nations who aspire to (reach) the stars can realise the common danger and act in the common interest here on Earth”. It sounds absurd. Why would astronauts find

themselves in the wrong country and among NASA potentially hostile people? Surely, with all the world to come back to, there were plenty of places to land ABOVE the Agena, they undocked from the target vehicle 15 Astronauts out of harm’s way. Of course, that is not the case, Armstrong (right) minutes after the attitude excursions began. But that orbital mechanics dictate that the ground track of an and Scott after only made matters worse. orbiting spacecraft can frequently carry a spacecraft splashdown in the When the rotation rates reached almost one full western Pacific across foreign places ideologically at variance with the rather than the revolution each second the crew deactivated the orbital country that launch it. It almost happened in 1966. West Atlantic attitude control system and restored a stable attitude recovery zone as planned. by using the re-entry thrusters specifically reserved FRIENDLY WATERS for returning to Earth through the atmosphere. It NASA twelfth manned space flight, its tenth orbital transpired that the spacecraft’s No 8 (yaw left/roll mission and the sixth manned Gemini flight took off left) main orbit thruster had stuck in the on position, on 16 March 1966 with astronauts Neil Armstrong and causing the capsule to spin up like a top. Clearly, the David Scott on board. It achieved NASA’s first docking orbital thrusters could not be activated again – they with another object in space, an Agena target vehicle were not individually wired for specific thruster launched from Cape Canaveral 101 minutes before “Another isolation – and powering up the whole system would Gemini VIII. There had been an attempt to rendezvous again trigger the No 8 thruster to fire. and dock on an earlier flight, Gemini VI in October step toward With diminishing propellant they returned to Earth 1966, but that mission was never flown when the using the re-entry thrusters, with splashdown in the Agena failed to reach orbit. But a rendezvous had been stable peace western Pacific Ocean, 805 km east of Okinawa, 10 hr achieved when Gemini VI-A went after Gemini VII on 41 min after lift-off. The re-entry thrusters were its 14-day long duration flight that December. on this necessary to stabilise the descending spacecraft and to Gemini VIII had successfully docked with the maintain a proper attitude for parachute deployment. Agena 6 hr 33 min after lift-off. Twenty-seven threatened The last thruster firings occurred at a height of 9,000 m minutes later the crew noticed uncontrollable attitude – the tanks were dry. It might have ended very deviations which built up in roll and yaw and while Earth” differently and the spacecraft was half a world away excessive use of attitude control propellant stopped from the pre-planned recovery zone. It was just one the unplanned motions, the rate began to build up example of concerns that 50 years ago drove the again when the hand controller was released. Believing President to urge ratification of the treaty ensuring that the problem to be a stuck attitude control thruster on wherever they came down, astronauts would be safe. SF

40 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SLUG

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 41 CORRESPONDENCE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

This month: remembering Alan positive way, never criticising anyone. He was very impressed with Neil Armstrong’s strength of character Bean, Mars rockets and probes, and believed he was the perfect choice of being the “First Man” to walk in the Moon. and some slick number-crunching The art of Alan Bean’s post-1981 painting career was highly successful and he would always say how proud he felt at being able to switch careers so successfully. To me his greatest piece was the 1986 “That’s How it Felt Moonwalker par excellence to Walk on the Moon”. Alan would say how much time Sir: It was very sad to hear of the passing of Alan Bean, and effort went into the painting, applying Monet-style possibly one of the most interestingly honest, open and impressionist colour and movement into the image of sensitive members of the “Apollo moonwalker” group of his figure standing on the Moon. ABOVE 12. I was lucky enough to get to know Alan several years Alan Bean the Alan had such a humble and honest approach to his ago during the 2006 “Space Soon” event in London. We astronaut, pictured own abilities and the extraordinary experience of going in a publicity shot kept in regular touch since then, sharing thoughts on for the Apollo 12 to the Moon. He always said of the view of the Earth his Apollo 12 and Skylab missions, plus his career as a mission, 1969. and indeed the whole mission, “it seemed too amazing serious painter post the 1981 departure from NASA. to be true”. Alan’s qualities as a test pilot and astronaut were Looking at my framed print of the wonderful “That’s enhanced by his great humanity, thoughtfulness and How it Felt” canvas after all these years, I just know that approachability as a human being. As a very capable Alan’s boyish face is wide-eyed and he is grinning back artist, I always felt that he fully appreciated the at us through the gold-coated covering of his helmet emotional side of human spaceflight, recording both faceplate! the heroic comradery and deep potency of the Apollo Moon missions. Nick Spall During our conversations, he would freely admit to (via email) his own immense luck via life’s strange “serendipity” at “I think of making it through the astronaut selection process and into the Lunar Module Pilot slot of Apollo 12 to become myself not as Finding the sweet spot “the fourth man on the moon”. Sir: I would like to correct Stephen Ashworth’s report on I remember well the strangeness of standing with an astronaut my presentation at the “Mars in the Age of New Space him amongst the night time crowds in, of all places, who paints, Launchers” Symposium (SpaceFlight Vol 60 No 5, p Camden High St., gazing up at a full Moon. Alan calmly 14). In his report, Stephen stated that the in-line Ares V pointed out with an outstretched finger his landing spot but as an prevailed over the Shuttle-derived side-mount concept. on the Ocean of Storms from 1969 – then he grinned Actually, while side-mount-like designs such as at the circumstances, chuckling at the irony of being artist who Shuttle-C have long been considered by NASA, it was surrounded by hundreds of people who would never only after Project Constellation and its Ares I and Ares realise that he was a such a unique human being, one of was once an V rocket combination were cancelled that side-mount only 12 to have walked on the Moon out of the billions really became a serious contender for NASA’s next across the planet at that time. astronaut.” Heavy Lift Launch vehicle (HLV). While side-mount He always chatted freely about the risks involved in Alan Bean, writing would have made an excellent quick-to-develop interim human spaceflight – this was unlike most “Right Stuff” in his autobiography HLV, its lack of development potential beyond 90 metric My Life as an astronaut test pilots, who kept a steely reserve about Astronaut tons to LEO, meant that it eventually it lost out to the their human fears. He spoke to me about lying wide NASA-preferred SLS in-line design. awake during the sleep period inside the Lunar Module While I am not necessarily a proponent of nuclear in the Moon’s surface, trying to ignore the worrying thermal rockets as Stephen suggested (I noted in my creaks and groans of the thin hull under the solar heat presentation that they were an option), Stephen did note stress. correctly the main point that I wanted to get across: A regular fear he spoke of was the worry of the that NASA should help fund the SpaceX BFR as its Apollo capsule window fracturing during the journey main Mars exploration HLV, but also use the SLS as an to the Moon and back. Similarly the Apollo 12 launch interim rocket in the meantime – ideally for some early was, to Alan, far wilder and violent than he thought it human lunar sortie missions. could be. He was convinced something was wrong with Finally, I should note that for a very basic human the Saturn V launcher, but of course as it turned out, all Mars landing mission, Bob Parkinson’s mission design was well. presentation at the Symposium impressed me very Alan held a huge respect for his Apollo 12 crew much in having solved many of the basic problems of a commander Pete Conrad, sadly taken from us by a Mars landing mission. These included: using the same motorcycle accident in 1999. The Apollo 12 crew were large inflatable heatshield for aerobraking/aerocapture always considered as being the closest knit and most into Mars orbit, and then in conjunction with a landing/ team-spirited of the Apollo-era missions. He freely ascent craft, using it for the Mars entry and landing commented on his contemporaries at NASA in a very itself; using storable propellants for the Earth return

42 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight CORRESPONDENCE MATTHEW BISANTZ MATTHEW stage to avoid the long term storage/boil off issues of ABOVE My first remark concerns the description to the cryogenic systems; and finally, to run the whole life Alan Bean the photograph of Yuri Gagarin on page 32. His wife’s space artist, support system at “Denver” air pressure – a relatively pictured in his full name is Valentina Ivanovna Gagarina, formerly minor change but one which is enough to significantly studio in 1988. Goryacheva. Gagarina is the female spelling of the reduce the overall leakage rate. husband’s surname. On page 6 there is reference to the launch of 20,700 David Todd satellites into low or medium Earth Orbit over the (via email) next decade. This is more than the present number of objects in orbit big enough to track, although small in comparison with the total number of bits of space Wake-up call? debris which cannot be tracked. But still a logistical Sir: At the conclusion of the article “Beagle 2 on Mars – nightmare. the Discovery Accessed” (JBIS, August 2017), the author Finally, on page 27 Jeff Bezos is stated as planning states “Could there be a way to rescue the mission?” – I to move billions of people off Earth over the next wonder if in future issues of JBIS/Spaceflight, there few centuries. A billion a century is 10 million a year, could be some speculation/papers on how Beagle 2 200,000 a week or 30,000 a day. Watch this space! Also, could be activated? at present the world population is predicted to grow by Incidentally, whilst attending Astrofest 2018 about 4 billion by 2100 subject to no major upheavals. (London), I paid a visit to the Science Museum and Reference to “Limits to Growth” predictions by mid- was pleased to see (after some correspondence to the century, the population will probably have peaked and museum by myself) that the Beagle 2 display had been by 2100 may be below present levels, not by design, but updated, to show that it had landed on Mars. due to pollution, lower food per capita and reduction of resources. Not a scenario to be sending 30,000 people John Fairweather into space each day and not a happy prospect for the (via email) future. And finally, between writing this and sending, the (This is precisely the question asked by Dr Jim Clemmet, Falcon Heavy test took place with great coverage on Beagle 2 Chief Engineer on page 25 - Ed) YouTube Live. What a refreshing atmosphere prevailed. Plenty of humour and how encouraging to see so many young people involved. The double landing of the side Errata and addendum boosters was unforgettable. Made me wish I was 60 Sir: Before I make some remarks concerning the March years younger! 2018 SpaceFlight (Vol 60 No 3) may I congratulate you ABOVE Blue Origin’s Jeff on the new style, although I still have a soft spot for the Bezos: over- Dr Alan Welch FBIS previous cosy familiar format. estimating? (via email)

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 43

SLUGSOCIETY NEWS

MAKING THE CASE FOR A BRITISH SPACEPORT The BIS’s Robin Brand gave a lucid and succinct description of the nanosat launch study.

THERE WAS A FULL HOUSE at BIS HQ on Thursday 17 May for Robin Brand’s evening talk “Orbital access to space from the UK? – the BIS Nanosat Launch Vehicle Feasibility Study Results”. Robin’s presentation was based on the results of the two-year BIS Technical Project “The BIS NLV feasibility study” which had been completed in

March. A copy of the seven-page ‘Part 1’ of the final BRAND VIA ROBIN report was given to all who attended, and pdf copies A packed room debates the UK Spaceport proposition. of the full 43-page version afterwards sent to those who expressed interest and which is still available. The talk introduced the overall conclusion of the is technology unbiased and the results are presented study, which was “…that orbital access to space in an investment rather than an engineering related from the UK is feasible and could be investor funded”. way. Then, after briefly describing the background of the As indicated by the size of the audience, the study, it broke down the title question posed into six subject was clearly of great interest to BIS members, more manageable topics to explain how the and several of the study team were on hand to help conclusion was reached: feasibility, market, physical answer the many questions asked at the end. The access, payload and revenue, business case and study has now embarked on a 12-month “Phase 2”, investor funding. and those interested in joining are invited to email It also included an accurate “engineering” Project Leader Robin Brand as below. animation of the launch of a payload into Sun- The evening was video recorded, and will appear synchronous orbit by the “BIS NLV” reference on the BIS website shortly. After the talk, Robin vehicle from the north of Scotland with a groundtrack Brand was also interviewed for an episode of The over the Arctic. Interplanetary Podcast, which will appear online at The presentation explained that the final report https://www.bis-space.com/links/interplanetary- was considered a valuable and unique contribution to podcasts. For pdf copies of the final report, or to join the field. This was because the results are in the Phase 2 of the study, please email robin.brand@ public domain, and not constrained by commercial bis-space.com. For further information see the considerations. It concentrates on the economics project website at https://www.bis-space.com/ and business case rather than just the technology, it what-we-do/projects/project-nlv). SF Robin Brand

46 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight SOCIETY NEWS IMAGE COURTESY OF THE SWINDON ADVERTISER THE SWINDON OF COURTESY IMAGE

AND WOMEN WHO’VE MADE SPACE HISTORY IN A FASCINATING EVENING lecture to the Society at the Nichols, whose work with NASA on female and minority recruitment London HQ on 18 April, Libby Jackson (above right) presented a is a lot less well known than her role as Lt. Uhura. The overarching snapshot of outstanding women in the history of space exploration message, though, was that when it comes to important contributions based on her new book A Galaxy of Her Own (Century 2017). Having in the field of astronautics, gender need never be barrier – and that first disarmingly suggested that everyone in the BIS would be sure here was a group of women whose achievements should serve as to know all of the 50 or so subjects featured in the book, Libby began an inspiration to us all. with one that none of us had ever heard of. Mary Sherman Morgan After the talk, there was a roaring trade in Libby’s book – indeed, was a chemist who invented Hydyne – a hydrazine derivative and your trusty correspondent only just managed to scrape himself a amine mix that could be substituted for the alcohol propellant used copy. While reading it on the train home, a woman sitting next to me by von Braun in his Jupiter-C rockets to give a 12% improvement in who had been eyeing the colourful illustrations (courtesy of specific impulse. Hydyne was only used on a few flights, but one students at the London College of Communications) thought it would was the rocket that launched America’s first satellite – Explorer 1. make the perfect present for her niece, who was very interested in Some of the other women Libby discussed were more familiar, space. Why not indeed? You never know – one day she might be such as astronaut Helen Sharman, and Star Trek actress Nichelle famous! SF Mark Hempsell ESA

Above: nanosats launched into Sun-synchronous near-polar orbit could provide a UK spaceport with a lucrative source of income. BOOSTERS, BURAN AND BEAGLE 2! IN WHAT IS NOW A FAMILIAR format, BIS West Midlands welcomed two guest speakers to its afternoon meeting on 24 March at the Gardeners Arms in Droitwich. The first was our own Rod Woodcock, who relived his experiences of journalistic visits to the Cape between 1971 and 1981. The second was Terry Ransome, who gave a fascinating talk related to his work on the Beagle 2 programme. Rod kicked off the proceedings with a magnificent aerial Breathing space: BIS West Midlands at the Gardeners Arms, Droitwich. photo of the Cape showing each of the launch pads – VIA BIS something of an education in itself. He then went on to describe the pads in detail, pointing out the launches that took its landing on the Red Planet on Christmas Day 2003. Terry place there, and how the facilities have developed to the was at Baikonur to witness the launch, and also showed us present day. Rod also showed us the underground room built photos of the Soviet-era Buran before and after the collapse to protect workers in the event of a launch pad fire and the zip of its hangar, which utterly destroyed it. The audience had wire escape lines for those working on the gantries. Packed plenty of questions about the current status of Beagle 2, full of inside information and illustrated with some fantastic including the possibility that it might still be functioning. (No pictures, Rod’s talk was an absolute delight to hear and see. said Terry: the batteries could not have lasted). Terry was also Then it was Terry Ransome’s turn to talk us through the asked about the possibility of revitalising the lander with a developmenty of Beagle 2, its launch as part of the Mars follow-up mission – but that, as they say, is another story! SF Express package, and the enigmatic silence that accompanied Bob Stanton

SpaceFlight Vol 60 July 2018 47 SOCIETY NEWS

BIS LECTURES & MEETINGS MEMBERSHIP NEWS

THE SPACE AGE: A GLOBAL REVOLUTION 19 June 2018, all day VENUE: The Exhibition Centre, Liverpool As the age of commercial space travel dawns, leaders and innovators from across the global space industry are gathering at the International Business Festival 2018 to discuss the sectors emerging challenges and opportunities. The BIS is in partnership with the Northern Space Consortium to present a specially invited panel of key organisations and individuals.

BLOCKBUSTERS FROM SPACE? 27 June 2018, 7pm VENUE: BIS, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1SZ Earth-i launched its first prototype satellite in January this year. Mr. Xu Teo, Client Services at Earth-I, will be touching on Earth-i’s exciting plans to launch further satellites, again built by Surrey Satellite Technology, into the Vivid-i Constellation – the world’s first satellite constellation that will deliver near real-time Ultra High Definition, full colour video and still images from space. This is in addition to the 3 other satellite constellations with which Earth-i is already working.

MOON, MARS AND BEYOND 17 July 2018, 7 pm VENUE: The Royal Institution, 21 Albermarle Street, London, W1S 4BS Where should humans inhabit next? Apollo Astronaut Al Worden and BIS Council Members Dr Stuart Eves and Prof Chris Welch will argue their case for settling Curtis Peebles – aerospace writer, historian and benefactor. A sad loss to the Society. on the Moon, Mars or travelling beyond. Who will win your vote? 73RD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING GOODBYE TO A GREAT FRIEND OF THE BIS 28 July 2018, 1 pm It is with a great degree of sadness that we mark the loss of Curtis VENUE: Royal Gunpowder Mills, Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Peebles, one of the great aviation and aerospace writers of the last 70 Abbey, Essex, EN9 1JY years. A noted aerospace historian for the Smithsonian Institution and Admission to the AGM is open to Fellows only but all the author of numerous books on a wide variety of topics, Curtis had Members are welcome to join the discussion after the the flexibility to craft works of great note and scholarship as well as formalities conclude around 1.15 pm. Please advise in drawing people in who never knew they were interested in these advance if you wish to attend (attendance to this part of things until he convinced them that they were. the afternoon is free). In a very special way Curtis is remembered by the British The AGM will be followed by the BIS Summer Get- Interplanetary Society as one of the greatest and most loyal friends this together at the same venue; tickets are £20 and are on organisation has ever had. Uncompromising in his kindness and sale now on our website. Please note that nominations generosity in ways which only a few saw directly, this great American for Council are now closed. friend was a giant in his own right and will never be forgotten. His works touched many lives and it is hard to find a more generous individual. EXOMARS TALKS Curtis, we will all miss you but you remain with us through your 13 September 2018, 7pm writings, articles, books, talks, speeches and seminars, recorded in VENUE: BIS, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1SZ perpetuity. Above all, we thank you for your generosity. You leave the The joint European-Russian ExoMars Rover is due BIS better for having had you among its ranks. SF David Baker for launch in 2020 following its assembly by Airbus in Stevenage. Paul Meacham, Lead Systems Engineer at Airbus, presents a status update. Tune in to the podcast NEW MEMBERS A warm welcome BIS PRESTIGE LECTURE: to 30 more of you WALLY FUNK & SUE NELSON for more info this month – 29 16 October 2018, 6pm Remember – you can hear more comment on the issues from the UK and VENUE: BIS, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ raised in this month’s SpaceFlight by tuning into or one from the Republic of Ireland. A special evening of canapés, talks and Q&As downloading ‘The Interplanetary Podcast’, where Matt We’ll be publishing with American aviator Wally Funk and award- and Jamie put the Editor of this esteemed publication on more details of winning podcaster Sue Nelson. Members £20, notice to explain himself in words that anyone can worldwide Non-members £30. Pre-booking is essential as understand! The podcast is growing fast in popularity, so membership in don’t get left behind. Follow us at https://www.bis-space. future issues. seating is limited, and early booking on the BIS com/links/interplanetary-podcasts. website is advised.

48 Vol 60 July 2018 SpaceFlight