Spaceflight A British Interplanetary Society Publication Modelling the ISS

Hermes at 25

Cape pads

Vol 59 No 4 April 2017 £4.50 www.bis-space.com

contents

Editor: Published by the British Interplanetary Society David Baker, PhD, BSc, FBIS, FRHS Sub-editor: Volume 59 No. 4 April 2017 Ann Page Production Assistant: Ben Jones 130-133 The birth of Cape Canaveral Joel W. Powell has long had an interest in the origins and development Spaceflight Promotion: Gillian Norman of the Cape Canaveral facilities and again shares with us another chapter in the history of this remarkable place, from where the first US Spaceflight Arthur C. Clarke House, satellites were launched and from where early tests took place. 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ, . 134-143 Modelling the ISS Tel: +44 (0)20 7735 3160 Keith McNeill shares with us his extraordinary effort at building a model Fax: +44 (0)20 7582 7167 of the International Space Station. Combined with masterful skills at Email: [email protected] making miniature modules and trusses, Keith brings great talent to bear www.bis-space.com with his photographic expertise. ADVERTISING 144-149 ESA’s spaceplane at T+25 years Tel: +44 (0)1424 883401 Email: [email protected] Luc van den Abeelen looks back to European aspirations for an autonomous spaceplane capable of carrying into space DISTRIBUTION Spaceflight may be received worldwide by and conducting research experiments in microgravity conditions, re- mail through membership of the British examining the Hermes programme and its many vicissitudes. Interplanetary Society. Details including Library subscriptions are available from the above address. * * * Regular Features Spaceflight is obtainable from UK newsagents and other retail outlets in many countries. 124-126 News Analysis – Health check on Commercial Space In the event of difficulty contact: Warners Group Distribution, The Maltings, Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH, England. 126 A Letter from the Editor Tel: +44 (0)1778 391 000 Fax: +44 (0)1778 393 668 127-129 ISS Report – 9 January - 8 February 2017 * * * Spaceflight is a publication which promotes the 151 Flashback – A regular feature looking back 50 years ago this month mission of The British Interplanetary Society. Opinions in signed articles are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the 152-153 Satellite Digest – 531 January 2017 views of the Editor or the Council of the British Interplanetary Society. 154 Obituary – Eugene A. Cernan (1934-2017) * * * Back issues of Spaceflight are available from 155-157 Society News – Patrick Moore Medal Award - NLV Study Day - Nominations the Society. For details of issues and prices go Invited - Penny Wright MBE, FBIS - Astrofest UK - Space Art in Wells to www.bis-space.com or send an sae to the address at top. * * * 158 What’s On Published monthly by the British Interplanetary Society. Registered Company No: 402498. Registered Charity No: 250556. Printed in the UK by Latimer Trend & Company Ltd. * * * Copyright © British Interplanetary Society 2017 ISSN 0038-6340. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo- copying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system without written permission from the Publishers. Photocopying permitted by license only. * * * The British Interplanetary Society is a company limited by guarantee.

Mission The British Interplanetary Society promotes the exploration and use of space for the benefit of humanity, by connecting people to create, Cover : Astronauts Robert L. Curbeam (left) and Christer Fuglesang over Cook Straits during educate and inspire, and advance knowledge in STS-116 in December 2006. Assembly of the ISS inspired master-modeller Keith McNeill to produce a all aspects of astronautics. stunning model of the International Space Station (see pages 134-143). ESA

Spaceflight Vol 59 April 2017 123 news analysis Health check on Commercial Space

Preparations get under way for the abort test of the Dragon 2 capsule with the Vehicle Assembly Building and SpaceX’s Launch Complex 39A in the background. SpaceX

very government department needs will appreciably shorten the time commercial factors caused the OIG to report in 2013 that oversight, an internal assessment of carriers will be subsidised to support NASA’s the agency could not expect to get crews to the how it is doing; a different viewpoint for human space flight operations for the ISS by these means before 2017. Ethe woodsman, away from the trees, to see remaining life of the station. Unless, of course, The seriousness of the effort is driven home the health of the forest. NASA has its Office of this plan evolves into a broader strategy by the realisation that the commercial crew Inspector General (OIG) tasked with conducting involving a hybrid approach to deep-space programme has already cost the taxpayer $6.8 “objective oversight of NASA programs and exploration involving both NASA and the billion. Purely by coincidence, this is divided operations and independently report(ing) to the private sector. into two equal amounts of $3.4 billion which Administrator, Congress and the public…” The will be paid to between 2006 and OIG has published its latest findings about the Nuts and bolts 2018 for ferrying 64 astronauts from NASA status of NASA’s commercial programmes and The 2016 OIG appraisal of the commercial and non-Russian partner countries, and $3.4 finds serious shortfall from expectations. crew programme comes three years after the billion which was paid up to March 2016 for the It finds that while financial shortfalls in previous report, which noted steady commercial crew programme. proper funding for the contracted carriers has being made by the contractors in an uncertain The commercial crew programme began significantly delayed the introduction of cargo financial environment devoid of stability. It under the Bush administration in 2004, and crew systems in the past, significant found that there was high risk in the uncertain enacted through a Congressional action the technical challenges are now the pacing item budget NASA would receive each year following year to direct NASA to complete in pushing back the date when astronauts and that the lack of timely certification and agreements with commercial companies for will once again fly to space from US soil. coordination with other government agencies flights to the ISS by 2015. This was an implicit Moreover, it finds too that NASA has been very could potentially bring unwelcome delays. part of the decision, at that time, to end Shuttle slow in processing submitted test reports and The new report finds that there are not flights in 2010, complete US participation in evaluating hazard mitigation steps. insignificant delays caused by technical issues the International Space Station and to focus All this is important because it is costing the in different areas for each of the contractors. instead on development of a deep-space agency inflated prices for seats on the Soyuz Boeing is having problems with vibration exploration effort under the Constellation spacecraft and based on the OIG report it is spectra during launch and with the mass of programme, first returning to the Moon and likely well into 2019 before there will be any its CST-100 spacecraft. SpaceX is having then on to Mars. chance of either SpaceX or Boeing launching problems with a decision to switch from In fact, the Shuttle programme ended in crews to the ISS. That is four years after the land-landing to water splashdown which has July 2011, the commitment to the ISS was original date set when the commercial crew driven concerns about taking on water before maintained on an equitable basis to the programme began. But equally significant, it recovery. The combined effects of all these preference of the other partners which will now

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see sustained support for that facility through and this was the dominant factor in moving the requested by NASA. In its annual report for 2024. Cancellation of Constellation by the estimated date of inaugural operations back by 2015 NASA’s Aerospace Safety Advisory Obama administration in February 2010 was two years. Panel criticised the lack of maturity in the made by way of removing all funding in the In September 2014 NASA awarded fixed- programme’s critical design review which, annual budget proposal and without any formal price contracts for a total of $6.8 billion to it said “added to the program management explanation other than to issue a “stop work” Boeing and SpaceX which included specific and safety challenges.” It added that “close order and cancel all funds. milestones each company must meet in cooperation among NASA, the White House, As readers to this magazine will know, order to secure sequential payments and and the Congress is necessary to deliver an incensed Congress fought back and ensure certification targets. Each contractor safe and effective transportation to low Earth reinstated the Orion spacecraft as the Multi- must fly two test flights, the first without crew orbit.” Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) lifted by the and the second with a reduced crew of two After inspection of its programme, and Space Launch System but with the Moon astronauts on board. When these have been interviews with management, the OIG bypassed and the Mars objective moved up. accomplished NASA will certify the vehicle for concluded that there was a degree of Congress did agree to continue supporting operation and issue contracts for between two over-optimism and unrealistic scheduling: the commercial cargo and commercial crew and six flights, each capable of carrying four “Notwithstanding the contractors’ optimism… programmes but the different views between to seven crewmembers to the ISS. As of May we believe it unlikely that either Boeing or the White House and the Capitol on how to 2016 NASA had paid Boeing $1.1 billion and SpaceX will achieve certified crewed flight to progress the human space flight programme SpaceX $498.7 billion. In total, when all phases the ISS until late 2018.” This is a year beyond made synergy difficult and the fight between are complete, Boeing will have received $4.8 their own published target dates and given the two continued on through to the end of the billion and SpaceX $3.1 billion. the level of challenges still facing the work at Obama administration. both the contractors and at NASA, it is highly Round 1 of the commercial crew programme Shortfalls likely that this will float to the right – well into began in February 2010 with an award of One of the more telling aspects of the 2016 2019. $50 million to five companies for research OIG report is the $1.1 billion shortfall between Boeing’s contract anticipated 23 milestones and development on key technologies. This the amount requested by NASA and the but within the first two years NASA added to or was followed with Round 2 beginning in April amount voted up by Congress for commercial changed those which now total 34, adding $46 2011. NASA awarded agreements worth nearly crew activities between 2009 and 2016. For million to the value. As of June last year, Boeing $270 million to four companies and additional the first time in six years, in December 2015 had completed 15 (44%) of the total required milestones were added in that September Congress voted the full amount requested by milestones. The SpaceX contract included 18 which raised the aggregate value to $315.5 the President for a single year: $1.1 billion for milestones yet although it did not raise the million. In the two-year period reviewed in the fiscal year 2016 (which began October 2015). contract value subsequent shifting increased 2013 OIG report, NASA received only 38% Between 2011 and 2015 the programme the total to 21. By June 2016 the company of the money requested for commercial crew received only 57% of the annual amounts had achieved 18 (38%) of the required total.

Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner on its way to the International Space Station as visualised for the end of the decade. Boeing

Spaceflight Vol 59 April 2017 125 news analysis

Dragon abort rocket motors get a workout – essential for crew recovery in the event of a launch vehicle malfunction. SpaceX

The OIG was highly critical of SpaceX’s claim 2016 each of six seats required for that year renewed flights to the ISS from US soil has, that it would achieve flight by the end of 2017, cost more than $70 million. Because there is and will, cost the US government at least $6.8 pushing its own estimate to the end of 2018. no realistic prospect of achieving US flights billion – for seats on Soyuz through 2018 and on And this before the programme delays caused from US soil before 2019, the seven seats subsidising the commercial contractors. Added by knock-on effects from the pad procured for 2018 has cost the US taxpayer to this, human space flight will also absorb an explosion. $567.5 million – a tad over $81 million each. additional $11.3 billion, the estimated price Added to these woes is the escalating price In total, for the 64 seats, NASA will have paid of developing the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew charged by the Russians for seats aboard Roscosmos almost $3.4 billion, an average of Vehicle to first crewed flight, for total of $18.1 Soyuz. In 2006 each of the two seats required $53.1 million per seat between 2006 and 2018. billion. But none of those costs include the cost $25.1 million. Three years later, in 2009 It is highly likely that seat procurement could operational support and management of the six seats cost more than $25 million apiece go on through at least 2019, for the aforesaid International Space Station. Next month we without any agreement from the Russians to reasons. will look at Orion and assess its progress and discount for multiple procurement batches. By Crew transportation and the attainment of its prospects. A Letter from the Editor ear with me – this is not off topic but it through multiple uses, McDonnell Douglas put the incentive to lower prices other than to does prove a point highly relevant to in a highly competitive bid which forced Boeing reduce the requirement? It demonstrates a the discussion about government or to counter that with a revised proposal which point: that without competitors the customer Bcommercially-driven space markets. saw the government paying a total $249 million is left to pay the market value or leave the In 1986 General John Michael Loh was for the two aircraft. store. But if the customers depart, where is given responsibility for procuring a new Air By injecting strong competition, the the business prospect for the seller? Force One, the airborne taxi and wartime American tax payer was saved approximately Shift sideways to the space programme command post for the US President, $700 million (in 1986 dollars), for a total and the lesson is clear: that commercial involving two aircraft adapted from existing price of $539 million in today’s prices. Fast competitors are good for government airframes. He called in Boeing to get an forward 20 years and the present estimate because they force down prices. But only overview of their proposal for converting two for replacing Air Force One was quoted (by if they are funded appropriately and on new Boeing 747-200s and was told that the Boeing) at $3.2 billion. At which point, on 6 time to create that competition in the first company’s estimate was almost $1 billion for December the then President-elect Donald instance. The delays and deferrals resulting a pair of aircraft each costing $112 million off Trump picked up the telephone and called from inadequate government subsidy for the production line. Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing’s President and commercial launch providers and people- Incensed over the seemingly inflated CEO to tell him to go do his sums again or carriers to support the International Space quote, Loh got hold of McDonnell Douglas face cancellation. Station are down to one problematical and pressed them to put in a bid based on Trump called Muilenburg a “fantastic guy” error: that the government makes no their C-17, which was itself teetering on the and said they could do business together. But promises regarding annual fee payments brink of cancellation under an axe wielded without a competitor is the customer at the while demanding performance gates from by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger. mercy of a monopoly? Several officials believe contractors to receive the money each year Seeing the possibility of new life injected that Airbus should present an alternative to essential to progressing the work. Catch into their flagging C-17 heavy lift transport the Boeing proposal, without which where is 22?

126 Spaceflight Vol 59 April 2017 space stations ISS Report 9 January – 8 February 2017

By George Spiteri

Japan’s Kounotori logistics module was separated from the ISS on 27 January but a planned KITE experiment to determine safe disposal of spent stage and satellites failed. NASA

Expedition 50 is occupied by US commander and flight power supply. engineers Andrey Borisenko, Sergey Ryzhikov, Oleg Novitskiy, Peggy Kimbrough and Pesquet also stowed Whitson and . padded shields outside the Tranquility Node to allow more room inside Quest. The shields he crew enjoyed an extra day off on 9 increased risk of atherosclerosis. Ryzhikov set will protect one of Tranquility’s Pressurised January following the mission’s first EVA up gear for Russia’s Matryoshka-R radiation Mating Adaptors (PMAs) from collisions with and the Russian Orthodox Christmas detection study and Borisenko worked on the . Pesquet took photos of a jumble Tcelebrations. Following the spacewalk all six Identificatsia experiment, which looks at how of cables called the “rat’s nest” for future new lithium-ion batteries were installed on the mission events affect the station’s structure and documentation and Kimbrough removed two S4 truss Integrated Electronics Assembly (IEA) explored new Earth photography techniques unnecessary handrails from outside Destiny to and the 3A power channel was fully operational using the Vizir ‘Kimbrough and Pesquet devoted make room for two (Spaceflight, Vol 59 No 3 p 91). experiment. communications several days preparing for their During 10/11 January ground controllers The following antennas to be used Canadarm2 to move the final lithium- day Borisenko upcoming spacewalk…’ installed on future ion battery to the 1A power channel IEA and and Novitskiy collected blood samples, whilst spacewalks. The EVA ended at 17:20 UTC, another nickel-hydrogen battery was moved Ryzhikov explored chemical reactions caused making it the 197th spacewalk dedicated to to temporary stowage. There were five nickel- by exhausts in Earth’s upper assembly and maintenance totalling 51 days hydrogen batteries either stowed on the atmosphere under the Relaksatsia study. 6 hrs 4 mins. Next day ground controllers Japanese HTV Kounotori-6’s external pallet completed robotics operations by stowing or temporarily stowed on the arm. One more Spacewalk two three nickel-hydrogen batteries on Kounotori’s nickel-hydrogen battery was moved from the Kimbrough and Pesquet began their EVA at external pallet. 1A power channel IEA to Dextre the following 11:22 UTC on 13 January. Pesquet became The crew spent part of their light-duty day to complete the robotics work before the the fourth Frenchman to conduct a spacewalk, weekend 14/15 January stowing spacewalk second EVA. the last one having taken place in 2002 gear and conducted a debriefing session with Kimbrough and Pesquet devoted several (Spaceflight, Vol 44 No 9 pp 372-374). The EVA ground specialists in addition to planning days preparing for their upcoming spacewalk, astronauts worked at the starboard truss for the week ahead, exercising and talking to whilst Whitson and Pesquet scanned their near the solar arrays where they successfully family and friends. arteries on 11 January with an ultrasound device installed three new adaptor plates and hooked Six were launched from Kibo’s and collected body fluid samples for NASA’s up electrical connections for three of the six JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer on 16 Cardio Ox experiment, which is researching the lithium-ion batteries to continue upgrading the January. The first three were deployed at 09:11

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combination of eye exams and ultrasound artery scans on Ryzhikov whilst he wore the LBNP. Kimbrough participated in NASA’s Story Time From Space study which seeks to increase science literacy by engaging students and teachers, whilst Pesquet took part in an ESA sponsored educational event, answering questions from teachers and students in Ireland, Portugal and Romania. The crew conducted maintenance work on 25 January and Pesquet participated in more eye tests using optometry instruments to study the retina and the back of the eye. He also partnered Kimbrough for two days of refresher training in preparation for the imminent release of Kounotori, whilst Whitson worked with NASA’s Habitability experiment which collects data to assess the relationship between crewmembers and the environment. There were additional eye exams on 26 The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer was photographed during the spacewalk on 13 January when Peggy January. Aside from working with the Fluid Whitson and Shane Kimbrough spent 5 hrs 58 mins outside the ISS. NASA Shifts experiment and the LBNP hardware, the crew used NASA’s Ultrasound 2 experiment to conduct ultrasound eye scans to help doctors UTC and the remainder nine minutes later. on their Russian crewmate to determine the on the ground assist the astronauts with good The micro satellites delivered by Kounotori-6 effects of the suit. views of the optic nerve, cornea and back of included the FREEDOM, Waseda-SAT3, Whitson took time out to speak to students the eye. Imagine The Future-2 (ITF-2), EGG, AOBA- from her home state of Iowa, admitting all Velox III and TuPOD CubeSats. astronauts “get scared to some degree...the Whitson collected blood, urine and saliva training keeps us from being so scared that Flying a KITE samples for NASA’s Fluid Shifts experiment on you can’t react, I think it makes you understand Kounotori was detached from Harmony’s nadir 16 January and examined Pesquet’s eyes to what your responsibility is, what your job is and port shortly after 11:00 UTC on 27 January and measure any changes in his vision. Borisenko it gives you something to think about besides released at 15:46 UTC. Kounotori was loaded conducted a dry run for NASA’s Synchronised being scared”. with 1,450 kg of unwanted items and nine old Position Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental Whitson took her turn with the LBNP the nickel-hydrogen batteries on its external pallet. Satellites (SPHERES) Zero Robotics following day, whilst Novitskiy and Borisenko The cargo craft was moved 19 km below and competition, which took place eleven days conducted further ultrasound eye scans. 37 km ahead of the ISS to a safe distance to later. This involved ‘KITE was intended to study methods Kimbrough and conduct a planned week of data gathering experiments using the Kounotori Integrated students writing at de-orbiting derelict rocket stages Pesquet worked algorithms for on increasing the Tether Experiment (KITE) designed to measure and old satellites…’ the SPHERES operations and electromagnetic forces by deploying a nearly satellites to accomplish tasks relevant to future communications capabilities of the science 700 metre tether made of thin aluminium and space missions. These were tested by the gear by improving the data transfers between stainless steel wire in . The SPHERES team and the best designs were different science racks to allow more research system “hit a snag” and telemetry indicated selected for the competition to operate the to be conducted. The crew also initiated the one of four bolts holding the structure at the satellites. Pesquet tweeted his “Good luck to next in the series of plant growth experiments end of the tether failed to release. all teams, may your code work in space”. in the Veggie facility by installing six small plant KITE was intended to study methods of The crew conducted further research with pillows to hold Chinese cabbage plants under de-orbiting derelict rocket stages and old the Fluid Shifts experiment on 17 January, NASA’s Veg-03 study. satellites without using precious propellant. whilst Kimbrough began the first of two days The crew enjoyed a light-duty weekend and Ground controllers in Tsukuba, Japan severed troubleshooting a pair of devices that explore on 23 January, Whitson set up NASA’s Light the tether to avoid it from interfering with flames and high temperatures in space. Microscopy Module (LMM) experiment, a Kounotori’s destructive re-entry into the Earth’s On 18 January, Ryzhikov recharged state of the art imaging providing atmosphere at 15:06 UTC on 5 February over computer batteries inside Soyuz MS- researchers with powerful diagnostic hardware the South Pacific Ocean. 02. Kimbrough and Whitson performed and software. Kimbrough prepared the After a light duty weekend 28/29 January, maintenance tasks in the US segment on Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR) for NASA’s on the 30th Whitson and Pesquet conducted an 19 January. The commander also updated Cool Flames Investigation (CFI), which aims to interactive test using an iPad as part of NASA’s supplies for NASA’s Human Research Facility. observe how fuel burns at lower temperatures Fine Motor Skills experiment. Kimbrough Borisenko donned the Lower Body Negative without visible flames. rebooted a computer on NASA’s MERLIN Pressure (LBNP) suit, which pulls fluid towards Whitson, Novitskiy and Ryzhikov conducted science freezer before swapping hard drives the feet. Pesquet and Ryzhikov then used an further research with the Fluid Shifts experiment on a device that observes meteors entering ultrasound scan and conducted eye checks on 24 January. Whitson and Novitskiy used a Earth’s atmosphere for NASA’s aptly named

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Meteor study. The commander also videotaped using her fist to impart loads on the Pesquet concentrated on the start of the six himself reading another session from The Story module, the sensors measuring how BEAM nations rugby tournament and tweeted “Allez Time From Space and performed a simple reacts to impacts. les Bleus” in support of his fellow countrymen. light experiment for school children to view. Whitson later joined Kimbrough to collect On 6 February, Kimbrough conducted Novitskiy, Borisenko and Ryzhikov worked with anthropometric data for NASA’s Body Measures maintenance work to the life support systems the Korrektsiya and SPLANH experiments, the experiment to assess how microgravity affects and activated a combustion experiment laptop latter a study of the human digestive system. physical changes to the body’s shape and computer. Pesquet worked inside Kibo to Progress MS-03/64P was undocked from the size. The duo took video and imagery to prepare the module’s airlock for the external Pirs docking port at 14:25 UTC on 31 January measure chest, waist, hips, arms and legs to installation of a high-definition video camera for and sent to a planned destructive re-entry over help researchers learn how physical changes Earth observations, whilst Whitson gathered the Pacific Ocean at 17:34 UTC, impacting impact suit sizing. Meanwhile, Pesquet donned communications and science gear ahead of at 18:24 UTC. Pesquet worked with ESA’s ESA’s new SkinSuit, which aims to prevent the arrival of the next SpaceX Dragon vehicle. Haptics-2 experiment, which tests the use of lower back pain and the stretching of the spine The Russian crewmembers worked with the remotely operated robotics from orbit, involving which occurs in weightlessness. DAN medical experiment, which examines the a controller unit mounted to the station wall and The crew spent the second of two days relationship between the changes in pressure one that is part of a vest worn by the astronaut. working with the SPHERES Halo experiment in the carotid artery caused by the redistribution The crew also began four days of work with on 3 February. Halo is a ring shaped structure of blood in the body’s upper half in microgravity the SPHERES satellites, including the Slosh fastened around SPHERES and intended and changes in the sensitivity of the central experiment which involved the astronauts to make the satellite more versatile. It allows respiratory mechanism. observing the bubble formation in tanks of for more complex tests involving navigation Kimbrough swapped out a valve on the different quantities using single and double using multiple sensors in conjunction with Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) tank combinations and motions. The following docking manoeuvres and many other potential on 7 February, whilst the crew continued day the crew attempted to capture and tug experiments. Pesquet devoted another day with further training for Dragon’s arrival and an object in space under the SPHERES evaluating the SkinSuit, whilst his Russian Pesquet worked with NASA’s Sally Ride Tether Demo experiment and explored how colleagues collected more blood and saliva EarthKam digital camera mounted on the ISS. the immune system adapts in outer space by samples for the Korrektsiya and Neiroimmunitet On 8 February, Novitskiy, Whitson and collecting biological samples for JAXA’s Multi- experiments. Pesquet took part in a three hour Soyuz Omics study. The US segment crew took time out during emergency evacuation drill, whilst Ryzhikov Whitson briefly entered the Bigelow their light-duty weekend 4/5February to watch worked with the Relaksatsiya experiment and Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) on 2 Super Bowl LI “live” from Houston. Kimbrough his colleagues conducted the NeuroMapping February to install temporary sensors and and Whitson wore shirts of the respective study, which examines changes that take place perform a modal test, which involved the teams, staying up late to watch the game. in the brain during spaceflight.

Shane Kimbrough executes the SPHERES-Halo experiment aboard the ISS on 3 February using two donut rings to test wireless power transfer and formation flight using electromagnetic fields. NASA

Spaceflight Vol 59 April 2017 129 launch sites The birth of Cape Canaveral 1950-1955

By Joel W. Powell

The Redstone rocket at Complex 4, Cape Canaveral, in 1955, the rocket which forced a need for longer range tracking and flight test. USAF

nyone familiar with space history has range in Florida was a lengthy process that Canaveral location was the availability of probably heard the story of the first was not taken lightly. Caribbean islands to establish missile tracking two fired at Cape Canaveral in After the potential of ballistic missiles was stations up to 1,609 km downrange. AJuly 1950, the Bumper rockets based on the demonstrated by the German V-2 rocket during The Guided Missiles Committee submitted German V-2. The primitive make-shift facilities World War II, the American military leadership, their final report to the Joint Chiefs on and the simple concrete launch pad established however reluctantly, decided in 1945 to 20 June 1947, recommending that Cape for the Bumper rockets are the stuff of legend. consider the establishment of a suitable missile Canaveral be approved as the missile test Less well known is the process of building the test range to develop long-range weapon site. Their recommendation was approved infrastructure from the ground up at the Cape systems. by the Joint Research and Development after the Bumper launches. This is the story While the V-2 rockets captured from the Board at the Pentagon on 8 July 1947, a of Cape Canaveral before the public came to Germans were test fired at White Sands in New full three years before the first launch from know it, before the arrival of Jupiter, Thor and Mexico, the facility could only accommodate Florida. Negotiations with Britain to establish Atlas and the advent of space age events that missiles with a range of less than 322 km. In 1945 the downrange tracking stations were brought the Cape to worldwide prominence. the Pentagon convened the Guided Missiles successfully conducted in 1948. The British In the spring of 1950, before the Cold War Committee on New Weapons of the Joint were happy to extend overflight privileges between the United States and the Soviet Chiefs of Staff to select a suitable location for a over the Bahamas. Union had a chance to heat up, the American permanent missile test range. The Committee On 1 September 1948 the U.S. Navy military planned to bring rockets to a virtually studied the Navy’s Point Mugu facility and the officially turned over the Banana River facilities uninhabited strip of land on the east coast China Lake site near Inyokern in California, but to the Air Force, where the headquarters was of Florida. The famous resort town of Cocoa neither site provided the means to track the established ahead of opening the range in Beach on Highway A1A literally did not exist in missiles during flight. Mexico also refused to 1950. The first six Project Bumper V-2s were 1950 when the United States Air Force arrived permit overflights of their territory from launches fired vertically from White Sands, but that at the east coast landmark to set up a rocket in California; the Committee then turned their range could not accommodate the horizontal firing range. The only man-made structure attention to Florida on the US east coast. trajectories planned for Bumpers 7 and 8, visible on the horizon was the 46 m Cape The Cape Canaveral location was suitably hence the assignment of these tests to the Canaveral Lighthouse. isolated (for the purpose of security), and the new range at Cape Canaveral. The goal was On 1 October 1949 the Joint Long Range semi-tropical climate would permit year-round to obtain aerodynamic data at higher Mach Proving Ground was officially established by operations. An abandoned naval air station numbers than ever before. the US Air Force in Florida, with the immediate nearby was ideally situated for the range’s In preparation for arrival of the Bumper purpose of test firing two V-2 rockets with administrative headquarters. The Banana rockets from New Mexico, construction of a crude upper stages as part of Project Bumper. River facility eventually became Patrick Air rudimentary launch site at Cape Canaveral The decision to locate the nation’s missile test Force Base. The deciding factor for the Cape was begun on 1 May 1950. A concrete pad was

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poured, and a temporary wooden “blockhouse” was set up for the planned launches. The facility was designated Launch Complex 3 – Launch Complexes 1 and 2 having been previously assigned to the intercontinental-range Snark aerodynamic cruise missile. Launch Complex 4 was originally set aside for the Bomarc anti- aircraft missile then under development for the Air Force. Work was started on Launch Complexes 1 and 2 on 26 October 1951 during the first flurry of permanent infrastructure development at Cape Canaveral. The story of the first Bumper launch on 24 July 1950 is well known (see Joel Powell, Spaceflight, Vol 52, No 10, pp 380-381). One recent revelation was that the two Bumper launches were actually failures, ruined by malfunctioning gyroscopes during the burns of both WAC-Corporal stages. The nose cone of Bumper 8’s Corporal rocket collapsed shortly after separation and the upper stage was destroyed by the range safety officer. Bumper 7’s Corporal fired successfully for 40 seconds, but only achieved about half of the planned velocity of 9,656 kilometers per hour [1]. Scarcely had the smoke cleared from the historic first launches when the former Banana River Naval Air Station was re-named for General Mason Patrick, first commander of the fledgling Army Air Corps in the 1920s. Patrick Air Force Base remains headquarters of the range to this day. The first missile brought to Canaveral for flight testing after the Bumpers was a The first Bomarc prototype (621-1) stands at Launch Complex 4 inAugust 1952. Sands History Center primitive projectile called the Lark. The primary purpose of this missile was to provide training Cape Canaveral until 1963. in the spring of 1951 to replace the make-shift for prospective Air Force missilemen, who Matador was truck-mounted and did not plywood structure that served as the Bumper would soon be shooting Snarks and Bomarcs require a dedicated launch pad, but Snark control room. The long-anticipated missile downrange, as well as a jet-fighter-sized and Bomarc occupied Launch Complexes 1, range was slowly taking shape. aerodynamic cruise missile called the B-61 2 and 4, which were built beside Bumper’s Once the first launch sites were established Matador. The Martin-built Matador and follow- concrete pad at Launch Complex 3. A new in 1950 and 1951, the next step for the Air on Mace missiles would dominate the skies at concrete blockhouse was completed at the site Force was to construct the infrastructure that

The view from the Cape Canaveral lighthouse on 14 August 1951 looking toward the distant launching area. USAF

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Redstone Number 4 (code XT) arrives at Launch Complex 4 in August 1954 as the articulated gantry is raised into position to support the missile. USAF would be required to support future missile pad and underground support facilities. Similar missile was launched from Cape Canaveral test programmes. The first step (aside from work on the concrete surfaces at Launch on 29 August 1952, propelled off the ground electrical utilities and a sewer system) was Complexes 1 and 2 was begun on 26 October by twin solid rocket boosters. The first 14.3 m to build the first of the downrange tracking 1951 to accommodate the Snark aerodynamic Bomarc was launched from Launch Complex stations in the Bahamas. The laborious process cruise missile. 4 on 10 September 1952. The stub-winged of bringing in the construction workers and the Looking forward to the day when Bomarc prototypes (with a wingspan of only building materials by sea to Grand Bahama aerodynamic missiles like Snark and the jet- 5.5 m) did not have their ramjet main engines, Island began in February 1951. A total of five propelled North American X-10 would be and were boosted by a rocket motor fuelled by stations were established in the Bahamas by recovered after their test flights, the Air Force nitric acid. 1952, and the initial five station range was signed a contract on 11 October 1951 to build Curiously, as 1953 dawned at Cape later extended to Dominica and Puerto Rico an airstrip to be located on the central area of Canaveral, the Long Range Proving Ground in 1956-1957. To tie together the 1,609 km the base. Construction began on 9 November had yet to accommodate any long-range tracking network, the US Government laid an 1951 for the “Skid Strip”, so-called because missiles, or any kind of ballistic missiles for that underwater telephone cable. The cost was a the returning Snark missiles would land on matter. On 7 January 1952 two visitors arrived then staggering $18 million. flat metal skids, rather than wheels. The 3,048 at the base from Huntsville, Alabama, to survey In June 1951 the range was renamed the Air m Skid Strip (as it is still known today), was facilities for a new ballistic missile developed Force Missile Test Center (AFMTC), just after completed in May 1952 for a total expenditure for the US Army by German rocket scientist the first Matador missile was fired from a Cape of $680,351. Dr. Wernher von Braun. Dr. Kurt Debus and Canaveral clearing on 20 June 1951. Four Finally, the vital Central Control Building Dr. Hans Gruene drove down from Huntsville, more construction projects were initiated in the (Facility 1645) was completed on 30 November and were “bewildered” by the desolate and summer and autumn of 1951, which included 1951 on the edge of a clearing that would later undeveloped state of the Cape Canaveral dredging a channel for port facilities which is support the bustling Industrial Area of the location [2]. now adjacent to the recreational facility known Cape. The massive concrete facility would be In order to test the new Redstone ballistic as Jetty Park. home to the Range Safety Officer, who was missile, the Army was assigned the former The first project was the development of tasked with destroying wayward missiles if Bomarc site at Launch Complex 4. The Army Launch Complex 4 for the Bomarc anti-aircraft they malfunctioned or lost control. had to share a Quonset hut with the Air Force missile. Construction got under way on 5 With that flurry of activity, the range was when the Redstone contingent arrived in June September 1951 to pour the simple concrete nominally operational. The first 20.4 m Snark 1953. A temporary hangar for preparing the

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Canaveral, prior to the building boom in 1956 and 1957 that introduced the Thor, Atlas and Navy Polaris launch sites, was the Navy and commercial port. The bond issue to fund the building of the port had been approved by local voters in November 1947. Preparations for dredging the channel by the Port Authority were begun in 1950, and in October 1951 a bulldozer cut through the shallow harbour channel to allow the waters of the Banana River to merge with the sea for the first time. The port was inaugurated by the Navy on 4 November 1953 with a special open house for the public called Dedication Day. There was a navy ship on hand for public tours (USS McClelland, DE-750), and Navy cooks provided baked mullet and baked beans for the visitors [4]. The docks were enlarged to accommodate atomic submarines in 1958 on behalf of the Navy Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU), the longest operating organization at the base. NOTU currently supports test-firings of Trident II missiles off-shore from Cape Canaveral. Submarine test launches off the east coast of Florida have been supported continuously by NOTU since the first two Polaris missiles were launched on 20 July 1960 from the submarine High altitude aerial survey photograph of desolate Cape Canaveral dated 17 March 1951. USS George Washington. National Archives This was the state of affairs at Cape Canaveral as the year 1955 came to a close. The major infrastructure was in place, and Redstone after it arrived by air from Huntsville m offshore. The cause: a potentiometer the first generation launch facilities were was also erected nearby, designated Hangar controlling one of the rudders was accidently operational. But the best was yet to come. ‘O’ (also known as Facility 1366). Like many misaligned by a technician prior to launch, Beginning in 1956, the Air Force initiated the facilities established at the Cape in the 1950s, sending the rocket off-course. It was the first greatest surge in building activity in the history Hangar ‘O’ still stands, having been utilized for of many lessons learned in the development of of the Cape, and within three years the base several other missile programmes including rocket technology at Cape Canaveral. had grown from eight launch sites to twenty- Blue Scout in the 1960s. Only six Redstone missiles were launched two. An entire mini-city of sixteen missile The goal was to launch the first Redstone from the temporary site at Launch Complex hangars were erected almost overnight as from pad 4 in August 1953. In order to 4 until Redstone operations were transferred launch rates steadily rose to an all-time high service the Redstone at the launch pad, the in 1955 to a brand-new Army launch facility of 206 in one year (1960). And most historically Army contracted with the Noble Company of at Launch Complex 5/6. Pad 4 then reverted significant, rockets were reaching towards Oakland, California to build a 42.7 m open- back to the Bomarc programme, where two outer space, which would be Cape Canaveral’s lattice gantry tower (a term borrowed from the unique “split-roof” shelters were built to test the greatest legacy, one launch at a time. oil and shipping industries). operational version of the anti-aircraft missile The steel structure was shipped by rail to in the late 1950s. References the Cape in July 1953 and was erected by One final construction project was under Noble Company workers in only five days. way in 1953 to prepare a launch facility for the 1. Stanley O. Starr, “The Launch of Bumper 8 from the Cape, the end of an era and the The structure was unique in that it was self- unique Navaho rocket-boosted cruise missile, Beginning of Another”, AIAA, 2001 propelled (it ran on rails) and it was designed but progress was slow and the Navaho was 2. Dr Kurt Debus, “From A-4 to Explorer 1,” to recline the tower to the ground when not in not ready for flight until late 1956. Construction Memoir Paper, 7th International History of use. This was the first of many gantry towers to of the imposing concrete edifice for Navaho Astronautics Symposium, 24th International grace the skyline of Cape Canaveral [3]. (later to be known as the “Taj Mahal”) began Astronautical Congress, Baku, USSR, 8 October 1973. The first Redstone rocket was launched from in September 1953. Launch Complex 9 3. James A. Hale Jr, “Cape Canaveral – A Launch Complex 4 on 20 August 1953 at 9:37 was occupied by North American Aviation Noble Endeavor”, Air Force Space and am Eastern Time. The missile (the first large (contractor) personnel in January 1955 but the Missile Museum, 1 January 2015 rocket other than a V-2 to fly at the Cape) flew facility was not accepted by the Air Force until 4. “Port Canaveral: Culmination of a Long straight and true for 50 seconds until rolling 29 June 1956. The Navaho would soon be the Awaited Dream (Part 1)”, Space Coast Daily, http://spacecoastdaily.com/2016/08/ out of control. The engine cutoff command focus of attention at the Cape, and not in a port-canaveral-culmination-of-a-long- was sent by the Range Safety Officer at 106 good way… awaited-dream/. (Last Accessed 13 seconds, and the Redstone crashed 7315 One last addition to the facilities at Cape December 2016)

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By Keith McNeill

STS-133 at the International Space Station with Japan’s HTV cargo vessel. Keith McNeill

he International Space Station, or ISS, thermal blankets, foil coverings and numerous not actually take thirteen years of continual is the largest structure to have ever antennae etc. not shown on artwork or mock- modelling, a substantial period over the years been placed in orbit, and over a thirteen ups. Therefore if I wanted to have an accurate mounted up. I usually did a couple of upgrades Tyear period grew from small beginnings into and realistic looking model, I needed to wait a year depending on how many elements the large structure we have today. Originally until I saw images of the elements on orbit. were launched, so probably spent a couple of approved as Space Station Freedom by The other reason being that I suspected with months every year – at least – working on it - President Reagan in 1984 and to be a US the complexity of the ISS, the eventual launch apart from three years when the Shuttle was only programme, the station evolved into sequence of the various modules etc. would grounded after the Columbia disaster in 2003. the ISS. Due to financial constraints and the not match the original design the US and its Also the level of detail which was incorporated results of the end of the Cold War, it became a partners had in mind when they first conceived into the model as astronauts added cabling, collaborative venture between the US, Russia, of the ISS. I was proven to be correct in both antennae, experiments etc. can only be Europe, Canada and Japan. It is permanently assumptions over the years – more so than I gleaned from on orbit NASA photography. manned ranging from three to six occupants at ever expected. Additionally, during the build NASA had any one time. The first element of the ISS to be launched a habit of moving some of the elements and Back in 1998 when the first components was the Module. Built in Russia with modules around, requiring me to break things were launched by the US and US funds, it was launched aboard a Proton off and relocate them. NASA certainly didn’t the Russian Proton rocket, a model company launcher. The second module was the Unity take us modellers into consideration by doing by the name of Inter Mountain Railways Node Module, launched aboard the shuttle that! There is also the matter of several visiting released a 1/144 scale kit, followed by Revell and equipped with two Pressurised Mating vehicles which periodically service the ISS in 2000 (more of that later). I decided that I Adapters, one of which would be used for (more of these later). I should also say that it is would construct the model in parallel with that shuttle dockings. The US hopes to continue probably one subject which can never be truly of the real station and match it with building the ISS operations until 2028, although the 100% accurate. kit in (almost) real time. When I started I did not Russians are currently not enthusiastic to go Due to the myriad of detail and of the scale realise it would take thirteen years to complete beyond 2020. I would suggest it is downright impossible though! to capture all the detail. Added to which the There were a couple of reasons for my Starting the Model ISS never stays the same for any length of decision not to just build it in one go – the main The first thing I should say about modelling time before experiments or other equipment one being that you cannot rely on pre-flight the ISS and describing “how to” in an article are added, removed or relocated. A veritable artwork or even mock-ups to show what it will of this kind, is that I will have to deviate from moving feast! You therefore have to choose eventually look like on orbit. All spacecraft look my normal method of describing the build, a moment in time in which to model the ISS different by the time they are launched due to as to do so, would fill a book. Although I did and I decided to complete it as it was at the

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time of the last space shuttle mission, STS-135 Atlantis in July 2011. That seemed an appropriate point at which to stop building the model. As of January 2015 there were plans to relocate several US modules in order to free up docking ports for use by future crew and cargo spacecraft, and the Russians plan on launching at least one other module too, so you really need to consult the latest information for the current configuration. I was lucky, in that when I started this project, I was able to obtain mission photography via the NASA Media Center (now closed) after each mission (now they are all available on the Internet) and there was not only good photography showing the construction tasks performed by each mission, but NASA often released fly around imagery taken by the shuttle after undocking, specifically designed to document the construction phase. So it became a matter of poring over these Zarya and Unity with a Pressurized Mating Adapter at each end and Shuttle Discovery on STS-96 in photos at every building session to add as May 1999. Keith McNeill much detail as I could see onto the 1/144 scale model. I must admit that I never found out what order, and just do your research. Sometimes I almost too good with a dry fitting sometimes some of the detail actually was, but if it was think it was a long winded way for me to build in difficult to prise apart – which required abit there I tried to make sure it was replicated, so real time, but equally building it now when it is of filing or sanding to loosen the parts a bit to a quite a lot of scratch building was required. completed would be a very large task indeed. apply the glue. The only advice I can give to any budding As I progressed I found the Inter Mountain modeller is, collect every photo you can find Railway kit was remarkably accurate and often Detailing from the various shuttle missions visiting the had items I simply did not think they would know One aspect which relates back to what I said ISS, making sure you get them in chronological about. The fit of the parts was so good it was earlier regarding pre-flight illustrations, was

The ISS configuration with Truss segments S0, S1 and P1 installed during STS-113 in November 2002. Keith McNeill

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The solar arrays and the large radiators have been omitted for clarity in this display of ISS elements providing a clear identification for port and starboard truss assemblies. Keith McNeill the lack of Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris of a partial build station (based I think on a was something else I had to keep an eye out Protection panelling (MMOD) on most of the kit mock up at Toulouse). This was of no use as for – items added a lot later than the modules modules. The US modules had panelling on all a model (the modules weren’t even in the right were. I used fine fishing line which isn’t the exterior faces and this had to be made from configuration, had extra modules which were easiest material to work with, due to the nylon panels of 10-thou plasticard (a commercial cancelled and no solar arrays) and of a scale it is made of and the fact it retains a memory. product), cut to shape. The bulkheads had of 1/125, it did have lots of these Trunnion Also requiring to be added was the addition pie shaped panels in three layers of ever Pins, which as it turned out, were under scale of TV camera and light stanchions, experiment decreasing sizes. As you can imagine this for 1/125 but quite near 1/144. There were platforms and other miscellaneous detail. was one of the more time consuming tasks. so many of these pins required I ended up I initially used etched brass ship handrails The two Kibo modules (Kibo was Japan’s purchasing two of these kits as it would have for the handrails on the station, but over the contribution of the ISS Program and consisted been a pain to scratch build so many. years changed to making them from the finest of two pressurised Modules – the Experiments More details such as cabling, which was Evergreen plastic strip. The reason being that Logistics Module, the Laboratory Module - and added by astronauts on EVA, was required to during construction over the period, the model the Exposed Facility) had a different type of be added. These cables usually ran along the was handled a lot and anything fragile either detailing displaying subdued raised panel lines. outside of the US modules and spanned over pinged off across the room, never to be seen I solved that by scoring 10-thou plasticard with to others and only became evident on later again or got crushed in situ. the pattern of lines and then flipped the card photos as and when they were added, so that Handling was a pre requisite of course at over and wrapped it around each module with the scored lines facing outwards – instant The ISS as it appeared during the flight of STS-118 in August 2007. Keith McNeill raised panel lines! Located atop the Unity Module is the Z1 truss section (not part of the Integrated Truss Structure described below). It carries the four Control Moment Gyros and the large Ku-band parabolic antenna (later a second was added as a backup). Interestingly, the gyros were covered with a thermal material with a slight sheen which I found to be a perfect match to the plastic material used in Tesco bags, so that turned out easy enough to reproduce! Then came the detailing of the modules with items such as the Trunnion Pin Attachment points, which were situated around the exterior (four per module) and formed the hard contact points for holding the module in the Shuttle payload bay and grapple fixtures for the Shuttle’s Remote Manipulator to grasp the module. By this time Heller had also released a kit

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going to be an open truss work, but the IMR kit parts were solid in nature. Thus when Revell released their kit with the open sections, most of us who had purchased the IMR kit went out and bought that with the intention of replacing the IMR parts. However as previously related, this was one area the illustrations got wrong and the truss was covered with thermal blankets on all but the facing side. So the IMR ones only needed the forward facing side removed. Only one section at either end of the truss is open – these being the P3 and S3 sections (port and starboard – see accompanying photo showing ISS layout) and these were constructed from Revell parts slimmed down, as the Revell truss is slightly over scale. The trick in building the length of truss and the rails which would carry the Mobile Transporter was complicated by the fact the truss took some three years to With solar arrays and radiators removed for clarity, another view of the fully completed ISS configuration with the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer installed outboard of ESP-2. Keith McNeill complete because of the downtime due to the Columbia accident. I was pleasantly surprised every update, and it became increasingly of construction and it was relocated to the that when I had finally completed the truss difficult due to the complexity and accumulated outermost end of the port side late in the sections everything lined up, allowing the fine detail, to hold the model without breaking construction phase of the ITS, the final section Mobile Base to move freely along the length of parts off. Even more so when I needed to being the S6 truss. Because of the excellent fit the truss. relocate modules I had glued on in all faith of the IMR kit I was able to attach the P6 to the I also required the outboard truss segments they would never be moved, some force was Z1 truss without the need for glue so that when (P4/S4) to rotate as these hold the large solar required to break off said modules. And of the time came I just needed to pull them apart. arrays which track the sun, and I needed them course after every update I needed to hang It did however necessitate rebuilding struts at to be moveable for the photography. Also in it up for the photography. To be honest I’m the top of the Z1 at that point. case I ever transported the model to shows surprised it has lasted this long! On another Running most of the length of this structure I had these outer sections removable. As it note, I should say that because of the ever is the Mobile Transporter Base which would transpired the model is too delicate to leave changing configuration and moving Centre of help translate EVA astronauts along the length the house. Gravity, I kept having to make new stands for it. of the truss and also an attachment point for the I believe I ended up having four different ones. Space Station Remote Manipulator System. Solar Array Problem One module I did have to scratch build, even The robotic arm is a larger version to the Now to one of the biggest problems with this though it was included in both kits, was the US shuttle arm and like that, was built by Canada. model, or indeed any spacecraft with solar Quest Airlock. Oddly both kits did not get the From initial NASA illustrations the spine was arrays. Despite a modeller’s best efforts we correct shape, so not sure if the flight hardware With radiators installed but no solar arrays, the Russian segment is clearly seen in this view looking design was changed somewhere along the forward. Keith McNeill line. Consisting of a large stubby cylinder and a small tube it was surrounded by nitrogen and oxygen tanks similar in shape to cartoon doghouses. I detailed it with some etched brass details I had lying handy. Concurrently with the addition of modules the Shuttle periodically launched sections of the Integrated Truss Structure which forms the backbone of the station and which lies at 90 degrees to the line of modules and holds the large US solar arrays and radiators. The central section, the S0 truss, is bolted to the top of the Destiny Lab module, with sections spanning both starboard and port (note S2 and P2 sections were omitted from the original design, so there are S1, S3, S4, S5 and S6 only – and the equivalent on the port side). The P6 truss section was initially attached to the Z1 truss to provide power to the US segment of the station in the early stages

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Keith set up this arrangement as though the aborted fly around by a Soyuz spacecraft during STS-133 had actually taken place. Note the fine work on simulated black tiles on the orbiter Discovery. Keith McNeill have to contend with gravity which the real thing To cut a long story short I ended up with a particular panel so I checked with Lockheed does not. The real arrays are very fine – and design which still droops, but is somewhere who manufactured the radiators and after they long – and trying to scale these are impossible. between the thick and thin versions. Still way contacted Boeing (lead contractor for the ISS) I went through about four iterations. I ignored out of scale, but have to live with it. I have to and the Johnson Space Center. I was informed the printed card kit ones and drew up artwork tilt the arrays for the photography such that the that paint refused to adhere to that particular to replicate the array pattern – front and back gravity vector is going through them edge on. panel and they received a waiver to fly in that – printed them out and glued them to 20-thou When not being displayed or photographed condition. plastic card. they are removed. By the time all arrays The solar arrays on the Russian Zvezda The truss work which lies between each had been launched, I had arrived at my final and Zarya modules were replaced with the double array is supplied in both the IMR and solution and could complete the remainder to equivalent arrays from the Revell kit. These Revell kits as a single length of solid plastic the new specification. have nicely raised detail on both faces and with raised detailing to mimic the girder Large radiator panels were deployed from I added extra ribbed detail on both front and work. Whilst relatively effective viewed from the truss facing towards the rear of the station, rear with white self-adhesive Letraline. The a distance it does not add to a particularly with a set of three heat rejection system (HRS) Zarya arrays required to be retracted to allow realistic model. Initially I built these from long radiators on both port and starboard sides. In clearance for the deployment of the HRS EMA ladders which were better than the kit addition there are four smaller photovoltaic radiators, but remained in a partially deployed parts, but luckily after-market parts became radiator (PVR) assemblies which were state which formed a concertina shape. At that available in nickel silver etch from Realspace deployed from the P/S4 and P/S6 trusses. point in the construction I had to cut the arrays Models (see contact details at the end of this At first only the central HRS panels were into the separate panels and reattach them in article). These greatly added to the realism of deployed and only later the remaining panels this new partially retracted configuration. the model. (see below). For all radiators I removed the Despite only attaching the arrays for moulded-in deployment scissor mechanism Scratch building photography I found they just would not stay and made new ones from plastic strip. In addition to the modules which came with the flat, so I tried another tack by making them a lot With regards the PVR radiators, it is kit, the US launched the Tranquillity module, thicker with lengths of brass for strengthening interesting to note that one individual panel the Harmony node module and left in place a the edges but that didn’t work either. I should on the P4 truss radiator is unpainted. Initially Permanent Multi-Purpose Logistics Module. say at this point that I didn’t need to do all I thought from studying the photos that it was The standard MPLM was used to ferry supplies sixteen arrays as like the rest of the truss the the sun reflecting from the panel, but all photos and equipment to and from the ISS in the full complement hadn’t been launched yet. seemed to show the same abnormality on that shuttle payload bay. Three were built by the

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Italian Space Agency and named Leonardo, as large as one of the ELC stowage platforms truss section. This was simply replicated with a Raffaello and Donatello, the Leonardo MPLM this was a late addition to the station before the length of plastic tubing of the correct diameter. became the Permanent Multi-Purpose Module Shuttle ceased flying (flown on STS-134) and Talking of robotic arms, the kit comes with (PMM) and docked to the station to serve as such couldn’t be expected to be kitted, so an articulated station RMS. Similar to the as extra storage space. The Russians also again more scratch building. It is mounted on shuttle RMS, the SSRMS is longer at 17.1 m launched the Poisk Docking Module which was the S3 truss segment. and has seven joints. The kit parts do need a duplicate of the Pirs Docking Module, both of Following the Columbia accident, additional further enhancements to make it accurate. which were heavily modified from kit parts, and safety protocols were added to the shuttle Likewise, the Special Purpose Dextrous the Mini Research Module - Rassvet - which mission profile – one being the rendezvous Manipulator (SPDM) or Dextre as it is known, had to be built from scratch. pitch manoeuvre or backflip which the Shuttle is a two armed robot which is part of the Mobile The ’s contribution performed below the ISS prior to docking so that Servicing System on the station which requires was the Columbus Laboratory Module and the station crew could inspect and photograph modifications. It also has attachment points this was scratch built using a spare Revell US the underside tiles. The Shuttle crew also used on the US Destiny laboratory where I usually module. The exterior of Columbus is relatively a 15.4 m long Orbiter Boom Sensor System to parked it as I had positioned the SSRMS on the devoid of obvious MMOD panelling but is conduct a highly detailed view of all tiles after Mobile Transporter Base (though neither are covered with a chrome finish. For that I used launch and prior to re-entry. At the far end of attached permanently as I needed to be able Bare Metal Foil. The detail of white lining and the boom was an instrumentation package of to move them around for photography). The kit dots was replicated with white Letraset. cameras and lasers used to scan the leading also comes with an articulated Japanese Kibo The Shuttle also delivered External Stowage edges of the wings, the nose cap, and the crew arm which is attached to the exterior of the Platforms (ESP) which were basic open lattice compartment. Kibo laboratory module. work platforms which spanned the payload bay The OBSS was attached to the end of the Most of the modules have national flags, and were used as platforms for stowing large Remote Manipulator System to extend the space agency logos and names on the exterior external spare parts for the station (three of reach of the RMS. This configuration had also as does the SSRMS, and these were custom them). Similar Express Logistic Carriers were been used to allow an astronaut to reach the made decals from my Epson printer. also attached to the station truss. There are furthest outboard solar array to fix a problem, four of these. I used some fine cross hatched so NASA decided it might be of use in the Visiting Vehicles etched brass to build the platforms and just future and on the penultimate shuttle mission, Known in NASA parlance as Visiting Vehicles, had enough to complete the complement. the shuttle crew left the OBSS (now renamed this covers all additional spacecraft which Also attached to the spine was the Alpha as the Enhanced International Space Station launch crew and supplies to the station. These Magnetic Spectrometer experiment. Almost Boom Assembly) attached to the starboard include the Space Shuttle, Russian Soyuz

Soyuz TMA shown docking with the ISS. The model from which this came was out of scale, reduced in size by Keith in Photoshop. Keith McNeill

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the fluids storage tanks) and the Propulsion Module. The most obvious external difference between the two is the “neck” between the Orbital Module and Descent Module/Storage Module which is thicker on the Progress. I scratch built all the various antennae, periscope and various other details including custom made decals. Again I dispensed with the printed IMR solar arrays and used the detailed Revell plastic kit parts. The European ATV only flew five times but was the largest of the re-supply craft. It docked to the rear of the Russian segment and also supplied fuel, and as with the Progress craft, initiated regular re-boosts of the station. I used parts from the Revell kit and other spare parts to build this. The arrays were made from plastic card and the artwork for the arrays both back and front were custom made from decals of photos of the real arrays. The array of Visiting Vehicles depicted here show the various spacecraft and modules in scale, this The Japanese HTV was also scratch built. assembly of vehicles being before the Dragon and commercial resupply flights. Keith McNeill I had already built the Aoshima kit which is advertised as 1/72, but is in fact 1/102. Not crew vehicles, Russian Progress resupply and The real let down with the Revell kit are the sure how they could get the scale so wrong, fuelling craft, the European Automated Transfer Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME). There is Vehicle (ATV) and the Japanese H-II Transfer no detail, just large stepped rings. The Airfix but that is another story. However all I did Vehicle (HTV). Currently it also includes SSMEs are vastly superior so the Revell ones was scale down the parts and build a 1/144 Cygnus and Dragon resupply spacecraft, but were binned and were replaced with Airfix version. Covered in gold foil and chrome Bare these are outside the scope of this article as ones. Metal foil, it is quite a nice looking spacecraft. they only just started operations to the ISS, Initially I painted the underside matt black, Unlike the other re-supply craft, the HTV does several years after I completed this project. but when docked to the ISS model, this lack of not dock to the station. Instead it manoeuvres The Soyuz spacecraft was used to detail detracted from the photography. The tiles close to the ISS and the station’s arm grapples ferry cosmonauts (and some “Spaceflight get worn by multiple re-entries and are shades it and berths it to one of the Common Berthing Participants” – paying guests) to and from the of grey and show streaking and plenty of detail. Mechanisms on the Harmony Node Module. ISS, but following the retirement of the Space I eventually decided to rectify this, by utilising Yet again custom made decals were used for Shuttle in July 2011, the Soyuz is currently the photos of the underside of the orbiter which the HTV solar panels, although in this case I the only means for crews from all nations to had been taken by the ISS crews and map the just had to reduce the artwork which I had used be launched to the station. The Soyuz remains resulting montage of photos to the underside for the larger scale kit. docked to the station during the crew’s visit of the Shuttle model and made decals which During the STS-133 shuttle mission NASA and acts as a lifeboat in the event of an covered the underside. These decals certainly had agreed with the Russian Space Agency evacuation. It has an on-orbit lifetime of six improved the look of the model in the photos. Roscosmos, that a Soyuz would depart and months, thereafter it must be replaced. This I used the IMR Soyuz and Progress kit parts as photograph the station with all of the Visiting often results in the ISS crew reduced from six these were closer to the correct shape than the Vehicles docked (which didn’t happen very to three crew members for a limited time until Revell ones were. Split into three parts, each often). However, unfortunately the departing the replacement crew is launched. The current craft consists of (from front to rear) an Orbital Soyuz was a new version which had developed version of the Soyuz is the Soyuz TMA-M. The Module, Descent Module (in Progress this is problems and the Russians declined to Progress spacecraft has also gone through a undertake complicated manoeuvres for a fly number of iterations and the current Progress The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer was scratch- around so that opportunity was lost. I decided craft is the Progress M-M. built to scale for attachment to the ISS. that I would duplicate the photography which Starting with the Space Shuttle, I favour Keith McNeill would have taken place from the planned the standard Revell shuttle kit with a few angles with the model. On the penultimate modifications. The entire payload bay had to shuttle mission, STS-134, the photography be rebuilt, although it is slightly under scale finally took place but by that time the HTV had compared to the ISS kit as the modules will departed. not fit in the bay. However it is close enough, Looking at the photographs I have taken of so all the payload bay detail such as thermal the model over the years, when I started with blankets, Ku-band antenna, the Orbiter only two modules some 120 mm in length to Docking System (which comes with the IMR kit what it looks like now gives one a true sense – but I hadn’t noticed and built my own), RMS of just how this remarkable spacecraft has arm and OBSS were scratch built, as was the evolved. under tail compartment holding the parachute The two best publications which describe installed post-Challenger. the individual ISS elements and detail the

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International Space Station Size & Mass Module Length 51 metres Truss Length 109 metres Solar Array 73 metres Length Mass 419,455 kilograms Habitable Volume 388 cubic metres Pressurized 916 cubic metres Volume 8 solar arrays = 84 Power Generation kilowatts Lines of approximately 2.3 Computer Code million construction phase are; Reference Guide to the International Space Station edited by Gary Kitmacher Haynes International Space Station Owners’ A simulated view looking up at the USS with Shuttle Endeavour on STS130 bringing the Tranquillity Workshop Manual by Dr. David Baker module and the Cupola. Keith McNeill

Realspace have the US solar array trusses for the quality of the accompanying images reflect I decided to ask Keith McNeill to contribute sale: http://www.realspacemodels.com/ the changes in formats. his report on building the International Space Station because it represents NOTE about the photography: Spaceflightwould like to thank the International a master-class in model making and Over the thirteen years I worked on the model, Plastic Modellers Society (IPMS) for permission associated photography. Launched in 1963, I have used print film, transparency film, which to reproduce this feature. Readers may like to the IPMS can be contacted through their was scanned and converted to digital, and know that there is an active space modelling website – ipmsuk.org. Editor digital cameras of increasing resolution and section at the IPMS.

Another view of the simulated fly around with a clear view of the workmanship that gives a remarkably realistic appearance both to the International Space Station and the Shuttle. Keith McNeill

Spaceflight Vol 59 April 2017 143 spaceplanes ESA’s spaceplane at T+25 years

By Luc van den Abeelen

This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the factual demise of Europe’s ambition to develop and build a manned spacecraft. The small spaceplane was aimed at enabling ESA to set up an independent manned space programme, based around an operational space station. In my recent first book “Spaceplane Hermes: Europe’s dream of independent manned spaceflight” [1], I examine the history of the project and the reasons why this major ESA initiative failed. This article summarises the main causes of the programme’s collapse.

Hermes as it might have appeared in space, with radiators deployed from the aft module. Aerospatiale

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he idea of Hermes as a “special discussion on winged vehicle versus ballistic Literature indicates a staggering minimum of payload” for an evolved Ariane launcher capsule was an important and potentially 70 configurations was studied, averaging at ten came about during the second half of decisive one. At a time when the world of per year for the duration of the ESA portion of the Tthe 1970s. As a purely French project under astronautics seemed to be collectively turning programme alone. Though politically impossible leadership of the national space agency to shuttle-type vehicles, a European initiative at the time Hermes was initiated, the choice CNES, Aerospatiale performed studies into a based on a capsule design was considered for a capsule would have greatly improved the modest 7 to 10 tonne winged vehicle around politically to have zero chance of approval. chances of a European independent space 1979, to be carried to orbit on a -based Merely repeating what had been done by the US programme actually maturing enough to booster, intended to provide both satellite and and Soviet Union decades before would not be achieve an operational status. manned spacecraft launches. attractive enough to generate sufficient interest During a period in manned spaceflight among the politicians deciding on national ESA Management woes dominated by the introduction of the US Space budgets. As a result, it was decided Europe One of the major criticisms of the Hermes Shuttle, the idea of a European “shuttle” would enter the realm of manned spaceflight programme addresses the fact that there never quickly gained popularity and by 1985, CNES with an operational, winged vehicle, serving a was such an entity as the project management. had succeeded in pitching the idea among the space station. A quantum leap for Europe and, In industrial terms; the forced cooperation of twelve member states of the European Space in hindsight, a bridge too far. Aerospatiale and Dassault caused a situation Agency ESA to such an extent that the project Faced with a myriad of difficulties, Hermes of two captains on one ship. Neither company was agreed to become an agency initiative. became a programme in reverse: starting was happy with the arrangement. The profound Nevertheless, within the short space of just out as a space taxi, becoming a multi-task cultural differences between the two made seven years, the project was cancelled, having do-it all-spacecraft, turning into a technology for strained relations, negatively affecting the experienced both budgetary and technical demonstrator and finally reduced to a research project. challenges and, most important of all, a programme. The non-feasibility of complete re- The other “bicephale” ESA-CNES, where the dramatic change in political sentiment about use turned out to be a major upset. In addition, formal customer ESA had delegated important that endeavour. a continuous series of configuration changes responsibilities to the French space agency was brought about by the incorporation led to much the same situation of two groups Choice of concept of the various crew escape concepts and reluctant to hand over power to one another. When deciding on the type of spacecraft the expanding range of tasks Hermes was Only late in the Hermes programme, a unified Europe was to start manned missions with, the supposed to fulfil. industrial contractor, EuroHermespace, was

Several different design evolutions for Hermes were proposed during its brief life. This cutaway from the ESA/CNES brochure gives a snapshot view of one iteration during that process. CNES

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Hermes represented some highly original configuration studies and was feasible if not a little impractical. CNES formed. However, this consortium at a certain under CNES leadership, the French space Political interference was to remain a level only frustrated any attempt of an efficient agency had already selected the industrial given during the entire run of the programme, management. teams that would build the spaceplane. An complicating the processes of management Where earlier an individual Aerospatiale initial competition between Aerospatiale based on technological progress and realistic and Dassault engineer shared the and Dassault was organised, with the latter planning. The influence of French and German responsibility for a single task – already a candidate coming out as the internal CNES heads of state deciding on programmatic far from efficient arrangement – a third one favourite. This was, however, unacceptable to issues and ministers deciding on technical from EuroHermespace was added on some the French president; bypassing Aerospatiale, choices certainly contributed to the eventual occasions, further complicating any chance of the major French industry responsible for the demise of the project. But the fall of the Berlin a clear overview. nuclear deterrent and industrial architect of Wall, the collapse of the Soviet Union and Adding to the complexity on the industrial Ariane was deemed an impossibility. This the associated changes in East-West political side was ESA’s rule of “juste retour”: fair return. intervention brought about CNES’ compromise relations were probably more important. This stipulated that all member states industries of a shared prime contractor arrangement for Hermes, and the entire idea of an were entitled to receive orders roughly Hermes but with Aerospatiale in the lead. independent European manned space equivalent to the member’s contribution to any On a more fundamental level, there were programme were initially justified by citing programme’s budget. This caused problems particular political preferences, which caused the need to form a third space power, literally as a result of certain technologies not being divergent approaches between France and between the US and Soviet Union on the one available in the countries that contributed most. Germany within ESA. Germany had always hand, and achieve independence in an area preferred cooperative space efforts with the perceived as important and prestigious (at the Politics US, while France was more inclined to stress time) on the other. With the disappearance of Politics had entered the Hermes programme the importance of independence. This explains one of the players, this political justification was even before it was adopted as an ESA why German support of Hermes was so hard to weakened at first and after the projected East- programme. When the entire project was still find compared to the situation in France. West cooperation in major space programmes

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A major concept flaw was the total lack of escape system. The ejection seats would have had only limited application. CNES such as the International Space Station, Facility in the US. The prospect of making a In one major disappointment during the independence became irrelevant. profit from space industry quickly evaporated Hermes studies, European industry proved when it was shown unique crystals could be incapable of producing a composite main Stillborn manufactured on Earth more cheaply than on- structure for Hermes, which was expected to Hermes had come about as a result of orbit and moreover, and interest from industry also play the role of showcase for innovative prospects of potentially profitable industrial appeared to be mostly absent. and state-of-the-art European technologies. activities in low-Earth orbit. Beyond the mere Several companies failed to demonstrate use of the application of satellite technology for Technical hitches production of the intended material and it was communications and Earth observation, an in- Entering the manned spaceflight arena decided to revert to the use of conventional orbit infrastructure for space-based production with a manned reusable vehicle intended aluminium in the construction of the of materials under microgravity conditions was for operational use was a very tall order for spaceplane’s main structure. considered to be a certainty. European industry. It had zero experience in The Thermal Protection System (TPS) Crystals of unimagined purity would be re-entry technology, at least in civilian space selected for Hermes was centred on the changing the electronics industry while hard-to- projects: as the French nuclear deterrent was shingle concept. Differing from the silica tile obtain medicines were expected to be produced composed of rocket systems incorporating design chosen for the US Space Shuttle, in substantial volumes on orbital factories. vehicles equipped with heat shields protecting Hermes would feature shingles to do the same However, in hindsight, the expectations the warheads while diving back into the job. A shingle would basically consist of a thin- turned out to be based on assumptions atmosphere, suitable re-entry materials were walled box made of a composite material, and the enthusiastic plans of individuals well known. But Europe was limited in its containing a multi-layered insulation material, and corporations, rather than on convincing experience building and operating manned mounted mechanically on the craft’s primary “business-cases” that are the norm today. systems, having only produced the Spacelab structure. The production of 830 individual Space industry quite literally failed to take off, module, a temporary laboratory carried aboard shingles that were to cover the major part of despite initiatives such as the Industrial Space the US Space Shuttle. the spaceplane’s surface, almost all of different

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Hermes is docked to the Columbus laboratory module in this fanciful depiction of a mini- station application. Aerospatiale

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later date, when the economy was expected to be in better shape again. Unfortunately, by that time, Hermes had already been scrapped. However, contrary to popular belief, it was not a German refusal to continue funding Hermes that terminated the programme. It was rather a decision by the French finance ministry to stop allocating funds to the project, followed by the absence of any effort by French politicians and top players to save Hermes at that point that ultimately doomed the spaceplane.

Legacy As the only major ESA programme not to achieve orbit, Hermes legacy appears to be an ambivalent one. The planned spaceplane is mostly forgotten, featuring only very modestly in ESA and CNES histories. For that matter, the theme of an ESA manned spacecraft would remain one without joy after Hermes This chart from Aerospatiale displays the thinking behind the sizing of Ariane 5 so as to be capable of as well: several follow-on projects, featuring lifting Hermes into low Earth orbit. Aerospatiale crew (rescue) capsules for ISS and winged shape, was expected to be problematic and spaceplane, but a clear and at some levels replacement vehicles for the Russian Soyuz the issue of micro-aerodynamics, the turbulent known underestimation of its costs became were all dropped before any metal was cut. movement of air in the gaps between the heat apparent towards the end of the project. In a world changed profoundly since the shield’s elements had not been solved. Timing of external events was of major impact days of the cold war, facing new economic The hot parts of the spaceplane (nose, here. and political realities, independent manned leading edges and winglets) would be produced During the late 1980s, Europe was hit by spaceflight was not something ESA would using the more traditional carbon-carbon and both an economic recession, forcing ESA embrace any longer. However, access to carbon-silicon carbide materials. Towards the to drastically curtail plans for its in-orbit space and reusability remain important drivers end of the Hermes programme, applying a infrastructure, and a major shift in geopolitical for the aerospace industry today. relations. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 coating to these materials aimed at preventing References oxidation was still not sufficiently mature. and the subsequent reunification of the former Another technical issue was the result of West German and East German states put the 1. L. van den Abeelen, “Spaceplane Hermes: the first Space Shuttle accident: the loss of national budget of the new Germany under Europe’s dream of independent manned spaceflight”, Springer International Challenger and its crew of seven astronauts in tremendous pressure. Germany decided it Publishing, 2016. January of 1986. Hermes’ initial concepts had had to drastically reduce its participation in 2. MAU, Million of ESA’s Accounting Units, not explored the issue of crew safety to a great Hermes, wanting to re-evaluate the project at a one AU equivalent to one Euro. depth, but Challenger changed that profoundly. One proposed application of Hermes was to service the Columbus module docked to Russia’s A number of Crew Escape System scenarios space station. At this time the Soviet Union had not collapsed and Europe was keen to engage with were explored, ranging from ejecting the entire Russia in cooperative ventures in space. CNES – presumably undamaged – spaceplane from a malfunctioning Ariane booster, to rescue cabin or a separable nose section, changing and above all complicating Hermes’ design and mass management. The final choice consisted of individual ejection seats. This solution was not broadly supported though as the existence of “black zones” during launch, when no crew rescue was possible at all, did not sit well with a number of project managers.

Budget woes Over the course of just five years, the price tag for Hermes increased by almost 50%: from 4,400 MAU [2] in 1987 to 6,200 MAU in 1991. Stretching of the initial Hermes Preparatory Programme was one of the formal causes of the ever-rising budget for the

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150 Spaceflight Vol 58 March 2016 reflection

FLASHBACK – April 1967

A regular feature looking back 50 years this month

he final days of the investigation into formed National Reconnaissance Office, a post and is largely centred on Europe and Japan, the fire that took the lives of Grissom, he held from September 1961 to March 1963. where frequent bad weather provides a highly White and Chafee on 27 January Dr. Charyk was known for his far-sighted valuable research environment. Which it did Tresulted in testimony to the political leadership views on potential applications for satellites during the late 1970s and early 1980s. and a mixed reception in the media. Because and as head of the NRO, an organisation NASA failed to identify the specific location of that would remain undisclosed for several 23 April 1967 the ignition source, and because it had failed decades, he had introduced new technology Vladimir M. Komarov was launched from to point a critical finger at any individual or for intelligence gathering satellites. As such, Baikonur in Soyuz 1 at the start of what contractor, some of the shine was rubbed off particularly with respect to the use of signals was planned as a joint flight with Soyuz 2, the impeccable image NASA had previously and the broadcasting of radio and telemetry which would have been launched with three enjoyed. from orbit, he had been associated with the use cosmonauts a day later. Numerous technical A detailed Congressional report into the state of increasingly smaller antennas for reception problems plagued the flight and Komarov was of the Apollo programme, its performance, and re-transmission. killed when his spacecraft experienced double quality-control and overall safety infrastructure During testimony this day, Dr. Charyk claimed parachute failure. was issued on 29 March but it had been that he was quite sure that a satellite capable The protracted significance of this event compiled prior to the fire. The 1,200 pages of beaming radio and television programmes lies within the extended discussions held with make interesting reading and contrast strongly directly to homes through a wall-mounted the Russians about cooperative endeavours with conclusions drawn by NASA’s own internal dish antenna could be available within five in space. These had begun in 1962 and investigation: “The board’s investigation years. He briefly described how regional relay were given fresh impetus during 1963 when revealed many deficiencies in design and transmitters could be bypassed altogether by President Kennedy sought broader cooperative engineering, manufacture and quality control.” a single satellite receiving programmes and deals with the Soviet Union. In fact, it is quite Reflecting back these 50 years it is re-broadcasting them to millions of homes likely that the direction of the Apollo programme remarkable how relatively unblemished simultaneously. would have changed had the president not the reputation of NASA remained. Yet a lot What is perhaps surprising is the amount of been assassinated in November 1963. changed beneath the surface and created an time it took before direct-broadcast satellites Coming so close after the Apollo fire, while entirely different culture, one in which scrutiny were launched. There were several reasons reinforcing national resolve to be pre-eminent and detail reached new levels of sophistication for this. Solid state electronics were only just in space exploration, it engendered a sense and in which a new management oversight was becoming standard and DBS required very of shared danger on this new frontier and introduced. The following year NASA instituted powerful transmitters, much more so than with private conversation with Russians at the time the Aerospace Advisory Panel to evaluate conventional broadcast satellites, to punch the exposed a growing desire to use space as a all NASA programmes. After the Columbia signal through adverse weather. bridge between politically distant regimes. That accident in 2004 it was required to make an The lengthy story of DBS is fascinating view was certainly expressed in America. annual report to Congress. Meanwhile this month, on 12 and 14 April Valentina Komarov kisses a photograph of her dead husband at his official funeral in Moscow on 26 two NASA spacecraft were manoeuvred April 1967. Novosti in lunar orbit to place them in a favourable position to counter the effects of the lunar eclipse expected to occur twelve days later. It was determined that Lunar Orbiter II and III would not survive the four hours of darkness but an adjustment considerably shorted the time the spacecraft would not receive sunlight on their solar cells.

17 April 1967 The President of the Corporation (ComSatCorp), Dr. Joseph V. Charyk, made a bold prediction during testimony before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He was one of the most respected advocates of satellite technology in pursuit of national interests and was chief scientist for the US Air Force when he was asked by President Kennedy to head the newly

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Satellite Digest is Spaceflight’s regular listing of world space launches. It is prepared by Geoff Richards using orbital data from Satellite Digest-531 the United States Strategic Command Space-Track.Org website.

Spacecraft International Date Launch Vehicle Mass Orbital Inclin. Period Perigee Apogee Notes Designation Site kg Epoch deg min km km Tongxin Jisshu SW2 2017-001A Jan 5.64 Xichang Chang Zheng 3B 5,000? Jan 16.93 1.00 1,435.98 35,779 35,793 [1] Kaidun 1 2017-002A Jan 9.17 Jiuquan Kuaizhou 1A 3 Jan 9.57 97.54 95.38 531 547 [2] Jilin Linye 1 2017-002B 165 Jan 9.44 97.54 95.37 531 545 [3] Xingyun S1 2017-002C 3 Jan 9.51 97.54 95.32 529 542 [4] Iridium 106 2017-003A Jan 14.75 WTR Falcon 9FT 860 Jan 15.33 86.67 97.00 611 623 [5] Iridium 103 2017-003B 860 Jan 15.40 86.67 97.00 611 623 [5] Iridium 109 2017-003C 860 Jan 15.87 86.67 97.00 610 623 [5] Iridium 102 2017-003D 860 Jan 15.33 86.67 96.99 610 623 [5] Iridium 105 2017-003E 860 Jan 15.33 86.67 96.99 609 623 [5] Iridium 104 2017-003F 860 Jan 15.53 86.67 96.98 609 622 [5] Iridium 114 2017-003G 860 Jan 15.87 86.67 96.97 608 622 [5] Iridium 108 2017-003H 860 Jan 16.08 86.67 96.97 608 622 [5] Iridium 112 2017-003J 860 Jan 15.53 86.66 96.97 609 621 [5] Iridium 111 2017-003K 860 Jan 15.19 86.67 96.97 608 622 [5] TRICOM 1 Jan 14.98 Uchinoura SS-520 3 Failed to reach orbit [6] SBIRS GEO 3 2017-004A Jan 21.03 ETR 401 4,833 Orbit classified [7] Kirameki 2 2017-005A Jan 24.32 Tanegashima H-IIA 204 5,000? Orbit classified [8] Soyuz-2.1b- Hispasat 36W-1 2017-006A Jan 28.04 CSG 3,220 Jan 29.18 5.43 631.15 263 35,750 [9] Fregat-MT Notes 1. Tongxin Jisshu Shiyan Weixing 2 (Communications Engineering Test Satellite) is an experimental communications satellite using a SAST-5000 bus for high-capacity tests. Mass estimated above is at launch. The satellite is located over 107.5°E and is rumoured to have a military mission, possibly detection of missile launches. 2. Caton technology development 2U Cubesat built by Beijing Caton Universal Technology Ltd and Nanjing University carrying a VHF transponder to test VDES (VHF Data Exchange System, an enhanced AIS system) technology for maritime communications. First launch of new version of CASIC vehicle where final stage does not form part of the main payload. It is not clear which object corresponds to which of the two Cubesats. 3. Jilin Forestry is a resource survey satellite built by the Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co for the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics, also known as Lingqiao 1-03, carrying a video camera for real-time Earth observation. 4. Xingyun Shiyan 1 (Cloud Test) technology development 2U Cubesat built by CASIC and Northwestern Polytechnic University carrying an L-band transponder for narrow-band communications test and a power management system for performance test. Testing technology for planned constellation of low-orbit communications satellites. 5. Ten low-orbit communications satellites built using the ELiTeBus by Thales Alena Space and launched for Iridium by SpaceX, the first batch of the Iridium NEXT second-generation design. In addition to the communications payload satellites carry add-on payloads: an ADS-B receiver to track air traffic for Aireon and, on four of the satellites, an exactView RT AIS receiver to track shipping for exactEarth. Launched into parking orbits. Satellites will be manoeuvred to raise orbits and enter the Iridium constellation. 6. Technology development 3U Cubesat built by University of Tokyo with five cameras for Earth imaging and a store-and-forward communications transponder. First launch of JAXA vehicle, an SS-520 sounding rocket with an added third stage, failed when telemetry was lost during first stage burn. 7. Space Based Infrared System Geostationary Earth Orbit 3, also known as USA 273, is a missile early-warning satellite using a Lockheed-Martin A2100M bus and launched for the USAF by ULA. Mass quoted above is at launch, dry mass is 2,547 kg. Payload consists of two telescopes each with a triple-band infra-red detector, one scanning, one staring, to detect and track ballistic missile launches. Satellite was to be placed in , but details are classified. 8. Kirameki means Sparkle. DSN 2 military communications satellite built by NEC using a Mitsubishi DS2000 bus for DSN (a Sky Perfect JSAT company), to be used by the Japanese military services. Mass estimated above is at launch. Orbital data has been withheld, but satellite is reportedly to be placed in geostationary orbit over the Indian Ocean. 9. Telecommunications satellite built using new OHB Systems SmallGEO bus for Hispasat incorporating advanced systems developed under the ESA ARTES programme, launched by Arianespace. Mass quoted above is at launch, dry mass is about 1,700 kg. The satellite will be located over 36°W to provide a service to Europe and South America, but orbital data for geostationary orbit is not available yet. Additions and Updates Designation Comments 1997-061A Cassini performed a 22,655 km non-targeted fly-by of Daphnis on January 16.56 and a 3,542 km non-targeted fly-by of Epimetheus on January 27.88. 1997-076A ASTRA 1G was manoeuvred off station at 62.8°E January 25 and is drifting to the west. 1998-006A Brasilsat B3 was relocated at 63.2°W January 7. 1998-065A 8 was manoeuvred off station at 169°E about December 25 and is drifting to the west. It has been retired. 1999-033A ASTRA 1H was relocated at 43.5°E January 6. 2000-028A 36A was manoeuvred off station at 88.5°E January 25 and is drifting to the west. 2000-072A was manoeuvred off station at 50°W January 6 and is drifting to the west.

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2002-002A Insat 3C was manoeuvred off station at 74°E January 12 and is drifting to the east. 2006-059A Kiku 8 was manoeuvred off station at 145.7°E about December 19 and is drifting to the west. It was retired January 10. 2007-037A Insat 4CR was manoeuvred off station at 74°E about December 27 and is drifting to the west. 2013-034A All three atomic clocks on IRNSS 1A have failed, ending its use for precision navigation. 2014-046A Asiasat 8 was manoeuvred off station at 105.3°E January 9 and is drifting to the west. 2016-017A TGO manoeuvred to increase inclination to 74° January 19. 2016-038A ABS 2A finally reached geostationary orbit over 74.3°E on January 9. It subsequently manoeuvred January 19 to 21 to 74.7°E, co-located with ABS 2. Add orbit: Jan 9.49 0.05° 1,436.03 min 35,783 km 35,791 km 2016-038B Eutelsat 117 West B was declared operational on January 16. 2016-045A Progress MS-03 undocked from ISS/Pirs port January 31.60 and was de-orbited over the Pacific Ocean January 31.73. 2016-049A 3 was declared operational January 23. 2016-053B was declared operational January 29. 2016-069A-D Galileo Sats 15 to 18 (GSAT0207 and GSAT0212 to GSAT0214) have manoeuvred to slots C6, C8, C3 and C1 in the Galileo constellation. Add orbits: Jan 10.91 54.59° 844.66 min 23,216 km 23,229 km Feb 3.23 54.59° 844.66 min 23,218 km 23,227 km Feb 3.60 54.59° 844.66 min 23,216 km 23,228 km Jan 22.42 54.59° 844.66 min 23,219 km 23,226 km 2016-075A WGS 8 (USA 272) drift was halted over 122°W, still in an elliptical orbit, according to amateur trackers. Add orbit: Jan 23.82 0.14° 1,436.04 min 30,977 km 40,598 km 2016-076A was unberthed using the ISS arm January 27.46 and released January 27.66. It manoeuvred to a lower orbit to perform the KITE tether drag-brake experiment, but the tether end mass failed to deploy. Manoeuvred three times on February 5 to decay over the Pacific Ocean. Six Cubesats were deployed from the ISS/Kibo airlock in four releases on January 16.38, 16.39, 16.44 and 16.45, all from J-SSOD deployers. TuPOD, initially 1998-067KT, in turn deployed Tancredo 1 and OSNSAT late on January 19. TuPOD ceased transmitting January 24 when its batteries were exhausted. FREEDOM is decaying rapidly and has therefore deployed its drag brake. Add objects and orbits: FREEDOM 1998-067KS Jan 17.95 51.64° 92.47 min 395 km 406 km Tancredo 1 1998-067KT Jan 20.49 51.64° 92.50 min 395 km 409 km ITF 2 1998-067KU Jan 17.96 51.64° 92.52 min 397 km 408 km Waseda-SAT 3 1998-067KV Jan 18.15 51.64° 92.52 min 398 km 408 km EGG 1998-067KW Jan 17.96 51.64° 92.52 min 396 km 409 km AOBA-Velox-III 1998-067KX Jan 17.96 51.64° 92.52 min 398 km 408 km TuPOD 1998-067KY Jan 17.95 51.64° 92.51 min 396 km 409 km OSNSAT 1998-067KZ Jan 21.81 51.65° 92.50 min 395 km 408 km 2016-080A manoeuvred to its operational orbit by January 23. Add orbit: Jan 24.71 31.66° 567.73 min 430 km 32,256 km 2016-082A JCSat 15 was manoeuvred off its test station at 136°E January 19 and relocated at 110°E, co-located with N-Sat 110 and JCSat 110R, February 6. 2016-083A Gaojing 1-01 has raised its orbit to match periods with Gaojing 1-02, phased 180° away. Add orbit: Jan 7.41 97.62° 95.13 min 517 km 536 km

International Space Station activity Recently detailed orbital decays There were no orbital manoeuvres of ISS during January: International Object name Decay End-of-January orbital data: Jan 31.72 51.64° 92.55 min 399 km 410 km Designation 2013-064B PhoneSat 2.4 Jan 31.3 Following the launch of Falcon 9FT with 10 Iridium satellites on 14 January, the first stage was successfully recovered 372 km downrange on the barge Just Read the Instructions and will be 1998-067HV CADRE Jan 3.8 used again for a future flight. SpaceX 2016-045A Progress MS-03 Jan 31.76

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already inspired more than one generation to Eugene A Cernan 1934-2017 do great things, achieve distant goals, stretch to exceed the possible and reach toward the Captain Eugene A (Gene) Cernan, retired astronaut, the last man to walk future. on the Moon and a lifelong ambassador for space exploration, died on 16 For Gene Cernan, returning from the Moon January following a short illness. had bitter reflection: “I can always walk on Main Street again, but I can never return to my Valley of Taurus-Littrow, and that cold fact elected at the age of 29 in NASA’s down to an altitude of 14,300 metres above has left me with a yearning restlessness. It 1963 astronaut selection, only the the Moon where, on a landing flight, terminal was perhaps the brightest moment of my life, third group to be chosen in the descent would commence with firing of the and I can’t go back.” Syoung history of America’s civilian space main engine on the Descent Stage. But Gene Cernan lived those motivating agency, over the next nine years Gene “Snoopy” was a little too heavy for any safety aspirations, spending the next 44 years Cernan went on to make three space flights, margins and with three more launch slots working tirelessly to bring a sense of hope to all of them heroic endeavours that pushed available before the end of the decade, the young and old alike, raising expectations and capabilities and achievements beyond mission was more about verifying all the normal limits. complex procedures of working with two stirring the emotional connection between Of the 14 men selected in group 3, four spacecraft around the Moon than seizing the things that are dreamed of and things would die in training for space flights they glory. that are done. Never overwhelmed by his were never able to make, only five went to Two years and seven months later, in own achievements, Cernan had a deeply the Moon, either around it or on its surface. December 1972 on a mission postponed by philosophical view of the awesome task Only two – Dave Scott and Gene Cernan – Richard Nixon who was paranoid about the remaining for humanity: commanded lunar landing missions and of last Moon landing being a disaster before his “Out here”, he said when speaking from that group Cernan was the only one to make re-election bid that November, Gene Cernan deep space, “confronting a foreign and hostile two flights to the Moon. commanded the final manned lunar mission of environment, where there was no horizon, Cernan’s first mission was Gemini XI, the century. With fellow Moonwalker Harrison no up and down, and where speed and time launched on 3 June 1966 and NASA’s second H. Schmitt, a professional geologist, Cernan take on new meaning, we not only didn’t spacewalking flight, planned as a test of the explored the valley of Taurus-Littrow with a know the answers – we didn’t even know the US Air Force Astronaut Manoeuvring Unit Lunar Roving Vehicle which carried them questions!” (AMU). Installed in the back of the spacecraft further than on any of the preceding missions Because of men like Gene Cernan we can launch vehicle adapter it was to have allowed to the surface. at least begin to define those questions.The Cernan to conduct a tethered flight under the When Cernan left, his voice breaking British Interplanetary Society extends deep control of thrusters attached to the back-pack. under the emotion, he appealed to a world condolences to Gene Cernan’s family, friends But with a wallowing tether and with no hand far away in space to continue the journey, to and colleagues in the sure knowledge that his holds or restraints, Cernan found it difficult to carry the flag of exploration and to maintain name is etched very deep on the granite wall get to the back of the spacecraft. the spirit of peaceful exploration which had of space history. Fighting exhaustion and over-heating, Cernan struggled to position himself in weightlessness, fighting the floating movement of his body while trying to carefully back in to the AMU. Inadequate cooling and the build-up of perspiration fogged his visor and turned his electrically wired suit into a streaming sauna. With a heart rate approaching 200 beats a minute, Cernan used his nose to rub a clear patch on the inside of his visor. Exhausted and unable to complete the task he struggled to find his way back to the open hatch where commander Tom Stafford ended the attempt, concluding a 2 hour 7 min EVA, using a water pistol to refresh his swollen face overcome with heat and sweat. From these difficulties came a major programme to improve the positioning of waist tethers, restraints, foot holds and straps that would mature the feat of spacewalking into the successful practice it is today. Less than three years later, in May 1969 Cernan was again with Tom Stafford conducting a rehearsal of the landing mission aboard the Apollo 10 Lunar Module “Snoopy”,

154 Spaceflight Vol 59 April 2017 society news

over this role, UK events for WSW have tripled, ensuring the UK remains in the “Top Patrick Moore Medal Awarded 10” of the Global event rankings. Vix now manages other BIS volunteers and is creating a successful WSWUK team to realise the potential of WSWUK for the benefit of the BIS in the wider public arena. Vix is a keen STEM Ambassador, making the time to lecture at schools whenever she can, recognising the importance of encouraging young people (especially girls) to study the STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. To this end, in 2012, Vix created the Space Mascot UK CASSiE (Cosmic Ambassador for Space Science & Engineering), “the cosmic hedgehog, to inspire the next generation”. CASSiE, and her family members including “Mini-CASSiE” make many appearances at public events all over the UK and Ireland, delighting many children, as well as TV & Film celebrities, and astronauts! The CASSiE initiative has also enjoyed the constant On 7 December, at the annual British Interplanetary Society Christmas get- support of UK ESA astronaut Tim Peake since together at its headquarters in London, Victoria “Vix” Southgate was surprised its conception and continues to grow. and delighted to become the newest, and proud recipient of the prestigious In 2015, Vix was responsible for organising a Patrick Moore medal, presented by BIS President Mark Hempsell. last minute event “An Evening with Al Worden”, ix is the 15th recipient of the Patrick and Development of Space) Conferences, to the Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot, to Moore Medal, awarded to individuals name but a few. She has also given invaluable complement the BIS' Reinventing Space for their outstanding services to service as a pro-active member of the BIS’ conference in Oxford, which successfully theV BIS. Former recipients include: Lee D. Marketing and Events Committees. raised funds for the Society. In 2016, Vix also Saegessar, formerly of the NASA History Despite living in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, arranged for Mr Worden to be present at our Office, in 1997; Heinz-Hermann Koelle, a Vix makes regular trips around the country BIS stand at the New Scientist Live Show, 22- German rocket engineer, largely responsible for events and ensures she attends the BIS 25 September, 2016, in London for the signing for the design of the Saturn 1 rocket, also in AGMs, as well as the Christmas get-togethers of his book Falling To Earth, affording visitors 1997; and Anthony R. Martin and Alan Bond here in London. This time, of course, was to the BIS stand many photo opportunities with from Reaction Engines Limited, jointly in particularly rewarding of her time and effort to this celebrated veteran astronaut and raising 1998 and more recently to two other sterling do so, unbeknownst to her, of course! more funds for the Society. volunteers, Ralph Timberlake in 2014 and The unanimously-agreed nomination for the In the run up to, and during 18-26 May Stephen Salmon in 2015. Patrick Moore Medal was to recognise Vix’s 2016, Vix assisted Helen Sharman with the There is no established date when these voluntary work for the BIS, and especially her organisation and successful running of events awards are made and so nominations and work, activities and events organisation for in London for Helen's 25th anniversary of her approval are entirely based on worthiness and World Space Week (www.worldspaceweek. space flight and ensured that the BIS gained merit as proposed for the nominated individual, org) 4-10 October annually, “…to celebrate extra promotion. as and when they are most deserved. each year at the international level the For more information on the celebrations of Vix was introduced to the BIS in 2012 as a contributions of space science and technology the British astronaut, Helen Sharman, and her creative consultant and became a full member to the betterment of the human condition”. visit to the Soviet space station Mir in 1991 by 2013. She quickly became proactive in In December 2013, Vix became the WSW see Spaceflight, Vol 58, No 8. the Society’s activities, often to be found at UK National Coordination Manager, for the Amongst her other achievements, Vix is a numerous space events. Vix is always ready BIS. During 2014 and 2015, she managed the published author of two editions of her book: with a winning smile and contagious good majority of the WSWUK workload, investing , The First Spaceman, and a humour, as well as her great enthusiasm, an enormous amount of her time, effort and contributing author to the British Council's knowledge and determination towards the resources in helping to carry out the WSW anniversary publication Gagarin in Britain field of space flight, and manned space flight mission here in the UK, engaging with the and is working on other space-related and in particular. general public and raising more awareness of science-fact based children's books. Vix has become a reliable volunteer and space and how it is used through encouraging We are very pleased to have presented speaker at many BIS events, including events to celebrate all things space. this award to Vix for all her great efforts and Reinventing Space Conferences, and Vix has ensured that the BIS is recognised support, and furthermore, we are delighted Charterhouse Conferences, as well as at the as the official WSW UK National Coordinator to announce that Vix has just been elected a Farnborough Air Show, Autographica, and via her social media and promotional efforts Fellow of the Society! UKSEDS (UK Students for the Education (www.bis-space.com/wsw/). Since Vix took Steve Salmon

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Nominations Invited NLV Study Day he British Interplanetary Society invites nominations for the 2017 Awards for achievements in 2016/17. Unlike many Tother awards, nominations can be made by the general public using the form on our website or by writing to the Society at 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ. To be nominated, the nominee must be a person or team, alive, or operating, in 2016/17, and, for all categories except the International Award, should be clearly linked to the . That is, either as a UK citizen or citizens, or based, and primarily working, in the UK or in a UK-based team or on a UK-led project. The six “Space Achievement” awards are given for achievements linked to 2016/17 in some way, either having been completed in that year or having reached On 28 January, the “BIS Nanosat Launch Vehicle” feasibility study held a significant award-worthy milestone. The its second working day. This technical project meeting was held at the Lifetime and International awards can, and HQ in London, and was most successful, with ten members of the project should, recognise the complete career of the braving the trains and January weather to attend in person, plus one nominee. contributing from Scotland via Skype. The Nominations and Judging Panels, he study has quickly evolved from an part counts. The models indicated that the made up of senior representatives from all academic approach to being a full- 100 kg payload option offered the optimum areas of the space sector, will ensure that blown business and economic study; performance and the meeting agreed to use all areas are covered and will reserve the Ti.e. from trying to determine “how cheaply that to continue with. right to move entries from one category to access to space could be for small space The next such meeting will take place at the another or add or withdraw categories if satellites” to “how to provide cheaper access beginning of April, and project leader Robin deemed necessary. Nominations must include to space by the physical development, test Brand will also be giving a talk on the study full contact details of both the Nominee and and deployment of a BIS Nanosat Launch at the BIS “Cosford V” weekend 18-19 March the Nominator and nomination statements Vehicle”. 2017 (www.bis-space.com/2016/11/22/18112/ must be limited to 150 words. Links to any Hence the morning session discussed cosford-v). Meanwhile, for further information supporting documentation on the web can be marketing aspects, in particular which of or to join the project, see the introductory included. Nominations will close on 31 March. the three payload options so far under webpage www.bis-space.com/what-we-do/ consideration (20 kg, 50 kg or 100 kg) projects/project-nlv, or contact Robin Brand, Penny Wright MBE, FBIS best matched the potential nanosat market email [email protected]. e have been informed of the death accessible from the UK. The afternoon For a report on the first of these working of long-term Fellow and supporter session looked at business and economic days, held on 22 October 2016, see Spaceflight, of the BIS, Penny Wright, on 15 WJanuary after a short illness. Penny was models showing development, manufacturing Vol 59, No 1, page 37, and for the original and operational costs, using quite introduction see BIS Newsletter May 2016. particularly active in the Society during the sophisticated spreadsheets based on vehicle Robin Brand 1970s and 1980s, often in collaboration with her colleague at EMI and sometime President of the BIS Tony Lawton. In that period, Penny and Tony Lawton contributed the paper on the vehicle communications system for the Project Daedalus Report, as well as contributing other papers on Interstellar Communications in the Red Cover issues of JBIS. Later, in 2005/6, she collaborated with the present writer on the systems modelling and trade-offs for Project Boreas – a study for a human-tended station at the Martian North Pole. In 2010 a spinal injury from an accident rendered the previously active Penny a paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair, but she continued to take an interest in the Society. She will be missed. Bob Parkinson

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Astrofest UK Space Art in Wells

Steve Salmon (left), Ralph Timberlake and Colin Philp manning the BIS stand. Alistair Scott

he BIS has been a regular attender at Astrofest at the Kensington Conference Centre, TLondon, for many years, running a stand over the two days of the show. For this 25th anniversary event, held 10- 11 February, a big group of volunteers Terraformed Mars seen from one of the moons of Mars by David Hardy. enthusiastically staffed the stand, headed by Gill Norman, Executive ells & Mendip Astronomers, in 10am - 5pm. Closed Sundays. Entrance Secretary, with Past President Alistair association with BIS Southwest, free. Scott, as well as Steve Salmon, Ralph present VISIONS OF SPACE 2. An exhibition preview will be held by Wan exhibition of astronomical and space art booking only, open from 7.30pm on 9 June, Timberlake, Robin Tucker, Richard Blogg and Colin Philp. Fellow exhibitors by British IAAA artists, including David A. including a lecture, “Faces of the Moon” by were an eclectic mix of astronomy Hardy FBIS, Fellow and European Vice- David A. Hardy, on how the Moon has been societies, universities, observatories, President of the IAAA, former BIS President seen and portrayed over the years, as well publishers, telescope retailers and Bob Parkinson MBE, Jackie Burns, Richard as a live Skype-up with artists at the IAAA astro-art dealers. Bizley, Gavin Mundy, Mark A. Garlick and art show at Spacefest 8 in Tucson, Arizona. Astrofest attracts a huge crowd of Nick Stevens, as well as works by well-known Tickets for the preview and lecture are £7, astronomy enthusiasts, there for the US artists. available from www.wellsastronomers.org.uk. lectures, exhibition stands and love of The exhibition will also feature a history of Mat Irvine will be demonstrating his craft all the subject. The BIS team introduced space exploration illustrated with models by day on Saturday 10 June (free entry) and will the Society and its work, handing BIS Fellow Mat Irvine, BBC special affects give a talk on his work with Sir Patrick Moore out flyers and copies ofSpaceflight wizard, designer, producer and director. for the “Sky at Night” at 2.00 pm that day. magazine, and selling publications and The exhibition will take place at Wells & Entrance to the talk is £2 for BIS members, merchandise. Mendip Museum, 8 Cathedral Green, Wells, £3 for non-members and £5 for families. Four new Members joined the Society Somerset, BA5 2UE, and is open daily to Bookings for the talk also through www. and we gave them a warm welcome and the public 9-24 June 2017. Opening hours: wellsastronomers.org.uk. look forward to seeing them at future events, whether at the HQ in London, or Next Month New BIS Members at regional meetings. John Edwards, Cambridgeshire Many existing BIS Members visited Omega in Space - the watch that timed Thomas Cheney, Sunderland the stand and it was good to catch up the greatest events in space exploration William Duckworth, Worcestershire with friends and colleagues promoting The UK’s Role in Space - with news George Jones, Surrey space in fellow organisations. that Tim Peake is going back to the ISS, Emil Laslo, Cambridgeshire Colin Philp what does that mean for UKSpace Desmond Shaw, Wiltshire Graham Patrick, Norfolk The Other Future MOL - Air Force art Alicja Wielunska, London BIS Library reveals hidden aspirations for the Daniel Rawling, London The Society’s specialist space and Manned Orbiting Laboratory Lucas Di Santo, Rome astronautics library is open Monday to Friday between 10.30 and 15.30 Hidden Figures - A review of a new film Christopher Stone, Alabama and 18.50 when there is an evening about Afro-American women in the Jackson Griffiths, Middlesex lecture. Pre-booking is not required but early days of the space programme. John Hollaway, Middlesex please check in advance whether the Kevan Cother, Derbyshire library is already in use. ...and much more! Craig Curley, London

Spaceflight Vol 59 April 2017 157 what’s on

BIS Lectures and Meetings Visit to Spadeadam 27 June 2017 Call for Papers The BIS History Committee is organising a tour of the RAF Spadeadam Cosford V facility near Carlilsle on Tuesday 27th June. The event starts in the Premier Inn (Carlisle Central) Hotel, Warwick Road, Carlisle, CA1 2WF 18-19 March 2017 (Tel: 0871-527 8210) mid afternoon on Monday 26th June in hotel Venue: Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shifnal, Shropshire reception. This event is now fully booked. Please call the office on 0207 735 Join us for an entertaining and informative weekend at the RAF 3160 to be added to the waiting list in case of cancellations. Cosford Museum. That evening, Alan Bond, FBIS, will give an informal history of Blue Papers so far arranged include: Streak and RAF Spadeadam after dinner. John Scott-Scott – A Personal Perspective (Alan Bond) The next day, we will depart by coach around 9am for Spadeadam Tour of the Michael Beetham Conservation Centre for a tour of the facilities by RAF staff, with a general discussion The CARET Group (John Harlow) on the visit that evening after dinner. Note that we expect to be The Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty 1987 - 30 years on back in Carlisle after the trip around 2pm and a late lunch will be Greenham Common and other sites (Wayne Cocroft) self organised and self funded. The RAF base are unable to sell any Reflections on Some Launch Campaigns (Gerry Webb) refreshments so please arrange your own for the coach journey if Westcott: Status and Outlook (Daniel Jubb) required. The event will finish at checkout after breakfast in the hotel Woomera: Then and Now (Robin Brand) on Wednesday 28th June. Pressed Propellants (Mark Perman) We expect the total cost to be around £280 and this includes: Full programme online soon; register at: http://www.bis-space.com/whats-on • 2 nights’ accommodation in the hotel The ticket price includes entry to the talks, lunch, tea and coffee on • Dinner Mon 26th and Tues 27th both days. You will need to make your own travel and accommodation • Breakfast Tues 27th and Wed 28th arrangements to Cosford. You are strongly advised to make flexible • Return coach transport from the hotel to RAF Spadeadam. hotel bookings in case there is a need to cancel the event at short Please note it does NOT include transport to the hotel; you are notice. There is ample parking, although please note that the responsible for your own travel arrangements getting to the Museum charges a parking fee. See http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/ hotel in Carlisle and back. cosford/ for more detail, including a map. • Insurance in case the RAF or the BIS need to cancel the trip. • Donation to the RAF Benevolent Fund for the RAF staff help The Last Man on the Moon: A Tribute to Gene Cernan during the visit. 6 April 2017 For those who have paid the deposit, your place is confirmed. We will be contacting you shortly to let you know the final price. The deposit Speakers: Mark Craig will only be refunded if RAF or BIS cancel the trip for any reason. The balance will be due by 25th April and all attendees will be emailed to Mark Craig, director and co-producer of the critically-acclaimed ask for payment then. feature documentary The Last Man on the Moon will share his personal experiences of working with Gene Cernan during the process of making the film, giving an engaging and entertaining insight into Readers are reminded that these Notices contain only a reduced the life of the late, great Apollo astronaut. The talk will also include description of the event. Full details can be found on the website personal photos, unseen clips, and an opportunity to obtain a DVD at www.bis-space.com/whats-on, where any updates are also or BluRay of the film for £10/12. carried.

Call for Papers 37th BIS Soviet/Chinese Technical Forum Lectures Venue: BIS HQ, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ, unless 3-4 June 2017 otherwise stated. The Soviet/Chinese Technical Forum is one of the most popular and Members can attend free of charge. Places must be booked in longest running events in the Society’s history. This year will mark the advance, online or by post. Each member may also obtain a free 37th Forum since its inception in 1980 and will continue the tradition ticket for one guest subject to availability of space. of featuring a wide ranging agenda. Details of the programme are being finalised but will feature presentations, films and debates on Non-Members are able to attend the Society’s lectures for a fee. You the history, current activities and future plans of both the Russian can order a ticket online or by post (please make cheques payable and Chinese space programmes. to the British Interplanetary Society). If oversubscribed Society Members will be given priority. Speakers are invited to provide a short biography and synopsis of their paper. Updates to the programme will be published over the If applying via our website the confirmation receipt is your entry coming months and a selection of papers from the Forum will be ticket. published in a special edition of Space Chronicle. If, for reasons outside its control, the Society is required to change Speakers are asked to send details of their papers via the BIS - the date or topic of a meeting, every effort will be made to avoid [email protected] - to Dave Shayler, Coordinator of the 2017 inconvenience to attendees either by notice of change in Spaceflight/ Soviet/Chinese Forum. JBIS, on our website or by special advice to each participant.

Readers are reminded that these Notices contain only a reduced description of the event. Full details can be found online: www.bis-space.com/whats-on

158 Spaceflight Vol 59 April 2017 The British Interplanetary Society From Imagination to Reality Join online by going to www.bis-space.com/join or fill in this form Why not take a digital subscription where a PDF version of your chosen publication(s) is delivered to your inbox each month? Go to www.bis-space.com/digital

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JOIN NOW FOR 2017! Your BIS membership includes: • Monthly issues of Spaceflight, the world’s leading space magazine, or JBIS, the global leader in peer-reviewed astronautical papers and our seminal history journal Space Chronicle is available for a supplementary fee • Access to a members-only website page with frequent new material including videos, lectures and reports • Membership of a worldwide network of like-minded people, uniting space industry professionals, enthusiasts and students • The opportunity to meet leading figures in space science, technology and exploration, including astronauts, with free entry to exciting evening talks (also available to members online) • Reduced rates to BIS workshops and social events meeting astronauts, scientists, engineers and opinion shapers at regular meetings • Access to the BIS library, one of the world’s most comprehensive astronautical collections including books, technical reports, journals and a full backlog of all the BIS’ publications • Odyssey, the BIS members’ e-magazine featuring interviews and articles, Society news and events with special articles covering sci-fi, art and a range of subjects linked to space and astronautics. Six issues per year. See p159 for an application form, visit our website or write for an application form to: British Interplanetary Society, Arthur C. Clarke House 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ, UK Join online: www.bis-space.com/join

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