SpaceFlight A British Interplanetary Society publication

Volume 61 No.11 November 2019 £5.25

The Apollo 12 long ESA launchers Probes to goodbye Europa / Titan Delta IV Space insurance medium copy bows out Subscriber 11> 634089 770038 9 copy Subscriber CONTENTS Features 14 Requiem for a rocket We welcome a new contributor, Don Hladiuk, who was present at the launch of the last Delta IV Medium+(4,2) to report on that historic event and to review the rocket's flawless record. 14 18 Clear air turbulence Letter from the Editor SpaceFlight examines the rise and rise of the expanded-capability Arianespace and the When readers were told last month that we had a secret to European commitment to a significant slice of share, I can now disclose that it the launch manifest, despite a recent failure. was one of the most exciting opportunities I have had since 22 Apollo 12 – the second coming becoming Editor of SpaceFlight. The Editor reflects on the second Moon landing History is central to conducted 50 years ago and summarises the understanding where we have enhanced capability it afforded. come from so that we can chart a 18 path to where we are going – two sides of the same coin. Because 30 A matter of risk of that, the BIS recently approved Head of Space Content for Seradata David Todd a major upgrade to Space explores the challenges facing astronauts Chronicle – traditionally the home seeking cover from the insurance market. of space history in Society's portfolio of publications. Incorporating all the scholarship 32 Flights to the Outer Moons and insightful analysis readers An exciting future awaits planetologists in the have been used to, from January search for possible organic activity on the moons 2020 the new Space Chronicle will of the gaseous outer giants. additionally be in full colour 22 throughout and will be produced copy by the same team that brings you SpaceFlight. The new magazine will also Regulars appear at regular quarterly intervals throughout the year – in 2 Behind the news the opening weeks of January, Ice watch – Knocking asteroids off-course – April, July and October – with Titan’s exploding lakes – Beware of falling reviews of historical books, space rocks! – Incoming alien! for readers’ letters and news about meetings, seminars and 6 Opinion conferences around the world. 30 SpaceFlight, meanwhile, will 8 ISS Report focusSubscriber on current and impending 9 August – 11 September 2019 space activity, consolidating coverage of the past, present and 36 Letters to the editor future in the Society's publications. 38 Multi-media . The latest space-related books, games, videos

42 Satellite Digest David Baker 562 – August 2019 [email protected] 46 Society news / Diary 32 COVER: THE LAST DELTA IV MEDIUM LIFTS OFF (SEE PAGE 14) / DON HLADIUK / DON 14) IV MEDIUM LIFTS OFF (SEE PAGE DELTA THE LAST COVER: What’s happened/ What’s coming up

OUR MISSION STATEMENT Editor David Baker, PhD, BSc, FBIS, FRHS Sub Editor Ann Page Creative Consultant Andrée Wilson Design & Production MP3 Media Promotion Gillian Norman Advertising Tel: +44 (0)20 7735 3160 Email: [email protected] The British Interplanetary Society Distribution Warners Group Distribution, The Maltings, Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincolnshire PE10 9PH, England Tel: +44 (0)1778 promotes the exploration and 391 000 Fax: +44 (0)1778 393 668 SpaceFlight, Arthur C. Clarke House, 27-29 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1SZ, use of space for the benefit England Tel: +44 (0)20 7735 3160 Email: [email protected] www.bis-space.com Published monthly by the British Interplanetary Society, SpaceFlight is a publication that promotes the mission of the British of humanity, connecting people Interplanetary Society. Opinions in signed articles are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of to create, educate and inspire, the Editor or the Council of the British Interplanetary Society. Registered Company No: 402498. Registered charity No: and advance knowledge in 250556. The British Interplanetary Society is a company limited by guarantee. Printed in England by Latimer Trend & Co. © 2019 British Interplanetary Society 2017 ISSN 0038-6340. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced all aspects of astronautics. or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording by any information storage or retrieval system without written permission for the Publishers. Photocopying permitted by license only.

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 1 SLUGBEHIND THE NEWS

copy Antarctica – the barometer of environmental change. ICE WATCH SubscriberAs Earth undergoes major environmental change, satellites verify an accelerating pace in ice loss.

A MEASURE OF THE SPEED of change for Earth’s phase signals from satellite synthetic-aperture environment, its climate and changes in regional radars, we have achieved a quantum leap in the weather is found in triggers frequently controlled by description of ice flow in Antarctica”, said lead author the planet’s ice fields, and satellites are playing a Jeremie Mouginot, University of California-Irvine significant role in obtaining accurate data. But the (UCI) associate researcher in Earth system science. estimated pace of change is changing and ice-melt “This more detailed representation will help improve is accelerating. our understanding of ice behaviour under climate Constructed from a quarter century’s worth of stress over a larger part of the continent, farther data from national and international satellite south, and will enable improved projections of sea programmes, a new map of Antarctic ice velocity by level rise through numerical models.” glaciologists from the University of California-Irvine To chart the movement of ice sheets across the and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is the most surface of the enormous land mass, the researchers precise ever created. combined input from six satellite missions: the Published in the American Geophysical Union Canadian Space Agency’s Radarsat-1 and journal “Geophysical Letters”, the map is 10 times Radarsat-2; the European Space Agency’s Earth more accurate than previous renditions, covering remote sensing satellites 1 and 2 and Envisat ASAR; more than 80 per-cent of the continent. What they and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s discovered is alarming because it shows how ALOS PALSAR-1. estimates have under-estimated the melt rate. While the data were spread across 25 years, the “By utilizing the full potential of interferometric pace of signal gathering accelerated in the last

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decade as more resources were deployed in the Earth’s orbit. As ice sheet science coordinator in the World Meteorological Organization’s Polar Space Task Group, co-author Bernd Scheuchl, UCI associate project scientist in Earth system science, was responsible for acquiring the relevant data from the various international space agencies.

LEFT: P-D ART / RIGHT: UCI/JPL / RIGHT: ART P-D LEFT: MAPPING THE MOVEMENT Previous mapping efforts relied heavily on “feature” and “speckle tracking” methods, which detect the subtle motion of parcels of ice on the ground over time; this approach has been proven effective in estimating ice flow speed. To measure significantly slower ice sheet movement in the vast interior regions, the UCI team augmented these techniques with synthetic-aperture radar phase interferometry, which detects the subtle motion of natural reflectors of radar signals in snow/ice independent of the size of the parcel of ice illuminated by the radar. “The interferometric phase of SAR data measures the ice deformation signal with a precision of up to two orders of magnitude better than speckle tracking”, Mouginot said. “A drawback is that it requires a lot more data, namely multiple passes at ABOVE sites for ice core drilling to extract climate records different angles over the same point on the ground The most detailed and in examining the mass balance of Antarctica – a problem that was solved by a consortium of satellite-based beyond its periphery.” ice migration map international space agencies pointing Earth- of Antarctica He said he’s looking forward to the joint NASA and monitoring spacecraft to this part of the world.” ever compiled is Indian Space Research Organisation satellite, The team was able to compose a map that helping scientists launching in late 2021, which will be the first resolves ice movement to a level of 20 cm per year chart the interferometric-mode synthetic aperture radar movement of ice in speed and 5 degrees in annual flow direction for across the vast mission designed to look solely toward the South more than 70% of Antarctica. It’s the first time that continent. Pole. The spacecraftcopy will provide a coast-to-coast high-precision mapping of the interior areas has view of Antarctica every 12 days. been accomplished. “We’ll be able to collect enough quality phase “This product will help climate scientists achieve data over the Antarctic to generate updates to the a number of goals, such as a better determination of map we just created in one or two months instead the boundaries between glaciers and a thorough of one or two decades”, Rignot said. “With this level evaluation of regional atmospheric climate models of precision in the interior regions, we’ll be able to over the entire continent”, said co-author Eric Rignot, reconstruct high-resolution spatial details in the bed chair and Donald Bren Professor of Earth System topography beneath the ice through inversion ICE WATCH Science at UCI and a senior research scientist at techniques over far broader areas than in previous NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. attempts – essential to improving ice sheet models “ItSubscriber will also help in locating the most promising and projections of sea level rise from Antarctica.” SF Knocking asteroids off-course

ASTEROID RESEARCHERS and site and gather data on the effect of this spacecraft engineers from the US, collision. NASA's contribution to AIDA, ESA Europe and around the world gathered in the Double Asteroid Impact Test, or Rome 11-13 September to discuss an DART spacecraft, will launch in summer ambitious double-spacecraft mission to 2021 to collide with its target at 6.6 km/ deflect an asteroid in space and to prove sec in September 2022. Flying with DART the technique as a viable method of will be an Italian-made miniature planetary defence. This combined CubeSat called LICIACube (Light Italian mission is known as the Asteroid Impact CubeSat for Imaging of Asteroids) to Deflection Assessment (AIDA). Its record the moment of impact. ESA's Hera purpose is to deflect the orbit of the will perform a close-up survey of the smaller body of the double Didymos post-impact asteroid, determine its mass asteroids between Earth and Mars and crater shape and deploy a pair of through an impact by one spacecraft. A CubeSats for close-up surveys and the second spacecraft will survey the crash first radar probe of an asteroid. SF

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 3 SLUG Beware of falling TITAN'S EXPLODING LAKES NASA USING RADAR DATA FROM NASA's Cassini spacecraft, recent research presents a rocks! new scenario to explain why some methane-filled lakes on Saturn's moon Titan are surrounded by steep rims that reach hundreds of metres high. The models suggests that explosions of warming nitrogen created basins in the moon's crust. SCIENTISTS ANALYSING the Titan is the only planetary body in our solar system other than Earth known to have stable treasure trove of images taken by liquid on its surface. But instead of water raining down from clouds and filling lakes and ESA’s Rosetta mission have turned up seas as on Earth, on Titan it's methane and ethane, hydrocarbons that we think of as gases more evidence for curious bouncing but that behave as liquids in Titan's frigid climate. boulders and dramatic cliff collapses. Most existing models that lay out the origin of Titan’s lakes show liquid methane Rosetta operated at Comet 67P/ dissolving the moon's bedrock of ice and solid organic compounds, carving reservoirs that Churyumov-Gerasimenko between fill with the liquid. This may be the origin of a type of lake on Titan that has sharp August 2014 and September 2016, boundaries. On Earth, bodies of water that formed similarly, by dissolving surrounding collecting data on the comet’s dust, limestone, are known as karstic lakes. gas and plasma environment, surface The new, alternative models for some of the smaller lakes (tens of kilometres across) characteristics and interior structure. turn that theory upside down: It proposes pockets of liquid nitrogen in Titan's crust As part of the analysis of some warmed, turning into explosive gas that blew out craters, which then filled with liquid 76,000 high-resolution images methane. The new theory explains why some of the smaller lakes near Titan's north pole, capturedcopy with its OSIRIS camera, such as the feature Winnipeg Lacus, appear in radar imaging to have very steep rims that scientists have been looking for tower above sea level, rims which are difficult to explain with the karstic model. surface changes. In particular, they The radar data were gathered by the Cassini Saturn Orbiter during its last close fly-by of are interested in comparing the Titan, as the spacecraft prepared for its final plunge into Saturn's atmosphere two years period of the comet’s closest ago. An international team of scientists led by Giuseppe Mitri of Italy's G. d'Annunzio approach to the Sun (perihelion) with University became convinced that the karstic model didn't jibe with what they saw in that after this most active phase, to these new images. better understand the processes that "The rim goes up, and the karst process works in the opposite way", Mitri said. "We drive surface evolution. were not finding any explanation that fits with a karstic lake basin. In reality, the Loose debris is seen all over the morphology was more consistent with an explosion crater, where the rim is formed by the comet, but sometimes boulders have ejected Subscribermaterial from the crater interior. It's totally a different process. The work, been caught in the act of being published 9 September in Nature Geosciences, meshes with other Titan climate models ejected into space, or rolling across showing the moon may be warm compared to how it was in earlier Titan "ice ages". the surface. A new example of a Over the last half-billion or billion years on Titan, methane in its atmosphere has acted bouncing boulder was recently as a greenhouse gas, keeping the moon relatively warm although still cold by Earth identified in the smooth neck region standards. Scientists have long believed that the moon has gone through epochs of that connects the comet’s two lobes, cooling and warming, as methane is depleted by solar-driven chemistry and then an area that underwent a lot of resupplied. In the colder periods, nitrogen dominated the atmosphere, raining down and noticeable large-scale surface cycling through the icy crust to collect in pools just below the surface, said Cassini changes over the course of the scientist and study co-author Jonathan Lunine of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. mission. There, a boulder about 10 m "These lakes with steep edges, ramparts and raised rims would be a signpost of periods wide has apparently fallen from the in Titan's history when there was liquid nitrogen on the surface and in the crust", he noted. nearby cliff, and bounced several Even localised warming would have been enough to turn the liquid nitrogen into vapour, times across the surface without cause it to expand quickly and blow out a crater. breaking, leaving ‘footprints’ in the "This is a completely different explanation for the steep rims around those small lakes, loosely consolidated surface material. which has been a tremendous puzzle", said Cassini Project Scientist Linda Spilker of JPL. “We think it fell from the nearby "As scientists continue to mine the treasure trove of Cassini data, we'll keep putting more 50 m high cliff, and is the largest and more pieces of the puzzle together.” fragment in this landslide, with a But Titan is getting renewed attention as scientists and engineers pull together to put a mass of about 230 tonnes”, said rotorcraft down on the surface of this strange world, planning to lunch Dragonfly in the Jean-Baptiste Vincent of the DLR next decade for a pioneering visit expected to last a lot longer than the Huygens probe Institute for Planetary Research, who which dropped to the surface on 14 January 2005 (see page 32). SF presented the results at the EPSC- DPS (the European Planetary Science

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A reference view of the comet (left) and a close-up of the region under study. The smaller insets on the right show before and after images of the region containing the bouncing boulder, captured on 17 March 2015 and 19 June 2016, respectively. It is thought to have fallen from the nearby cliff, 50 m high. The graphic at the bottom illustrates the path of the boulder as it bounced across the surface, with preliminary measurements of the “craters” calculated. ESA

Conference) gathering in Geneva, about 2000 square metres collapsing”, “This variability in the size distribution Switzerland, 15-20 September. said Ramy, also speaking at EPSC-DPS. of the fallen debris suggests differences “So much happened on this comet During perihelion passage, the in the strength of the comet’s layered between May and December 2015 southern hemisphere of the comet was materials,copy and/or varying mechanisms of when it was most active, but subjected to high solar input, resulting in cliff collapse,” adds Ramy. unfortunately because of this activity we increased levels of activity and more Studying comet changes like these had to keep Rosetta at a safe distance. intensive erosion than elsewhere on the not only gives insight into the dynamic As such we don’t have a close enough comet. “Inspection of before and after nature of these small bodies on short view to see illuminated surfaces with images allow us to ascertain that the timescales, but the larger scale cliff enough resolution to exactly pinpoint scarp was intact up until at least May collapses provide unique views into the the ‘before’ location of the boulder.” 2015, for when we still have high internal structure of the comet, helping Studying boulder movements like enough resolution images in that region to piece together the comet’s evolution these in different parts of the comet to see it”, says Graham, an over longer timescales. SF helps determine the mechanical undergraduate student properties of both the falling material, working with Ramy on SubscriberESA and the surface terrain on which it lands. Rosetta’s image archive. The comet’s material is in general very “The location in this weak compared with the ice and rocks particularly active region we are familiar with on Earth: boulders increases the likelihood that on Comet 67P/C-G are around 100 times the collapsing event is weaker than freshly packed snow. linked to the outburst of Another type of change has also been September 2015.” witnessed in several locations around Looking in detail at the the comet: the collapse of cliff faces debris around the collapsed along lines of weakness, such as the region suggests that other dramatic capture of the fall of a 70 m large erosion events have wide segment of the, so-called, Aswan happened here in the past. cliff observed in July 2015. But Ramy Ramy and Graham found El-Maarry and Graham Driver of that the debris includes Birkbeck, University of London, may blocks of variable size have found an even larger collapse ranging up to tens of event, linked to a bright outburst seen metres, substantially larger on 12 September 2015 along the than the boulder population northern-southern hemisphere divide. following the Aswan cliff “This seems to be one of the largest collapse, which is mainly cliff collapses we’ve seen on the comet comprised of boulders a A boulder having moved across the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov- during Rosetta’s lifetime, with an area of few metres diameter. Gerasimenko’s surface, captured in Rosetta’s OSIRIS imagery.

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 5 BEHIND THE NEWS Briefing PICTURE PERFECT? The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is working to determine whether Vikram and its rover Pragyan reached the Moon intact or crashed to destruction on 7 September (India time). Launched on 22 July, Vikram was carried by the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter. The orbiter weighed 2,379 kg, the lander some 1,471 kg and the rover 27 kg. Chandrayaan-2 conducted five manoeuvres to produce increasingly eccentric orbits, raising apogee to cross the Earth-Moon equigravisphere from which point it migrated to a satellite of the Moon on 20 August. From there it conducted a further five manoeuvres to establish an orbit of 127 x 119 km. Carrying the Pragyan rover, Vikram separated on 2 September and successfully conducted two INCOMING ALIEN! orbit manoeuvres prior to terminal descent from 35 km. Telemetry revealed a change of A NEWLY DISCOVERED COMET The new comet, C/2019 Q4, is trajectory at 12 min and contact was lost 2 has excited the astronomical still inbound toward the Sun, but NASA km above the surface but the orbiter has community this month because it it will remain farther out than the taken images that appear to show it on the appears to have originated from orbit of Mars and will approach no surface. outside the solar system. closer to Earth than about 300 Designated C/2019 Q4 (Borisov), million km. the object was discovered on 30 After the initial detections of the ISRO August 2019 by Gennady Borisov comet, Scout System – located at at the MARGO observatory in NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory Nauchnij, Crimea. The official in Pasadena, California – confirmation that comet C/2019 copyautomatically flagged the object Q4 is an interstellar comet has as possibly being interstellar. not yet been made, but if it is Davide Farnocchia of NASA's interstellar, it would be only the Center for near-Earth Object second such object detected. The Studies at JPL worked with first, “Oumuamua”, was observed astronomers and the European and confirmed in October 2017. Space Agency's Near-Earth Object India’s Vikram lander and Pragyan rover. Opinion US BATTLESTARSSubscriber The Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) wants to build a military space COLONISE – OR CO-HABIT? station in orbit as an uncrewed orbital outpost which could become a logistics IT HAS BEEN SAID BEFORE but not perhaps with the same degree of truth, hub for a wide variety of functions that we live in the “golden age” of planetary exploration. With Voyager spacecraft including assembly of structures, exiting the heliosphere, landers, orbiters and a roving vehicle at Mars, Mars 2020 microgravity experiments, logistics will land a helicopter on the Red Planet and work toward delivering samples to storage and delivery, manufacturing, Earth. Now there are plans for sending orbiters and rotorcraft to Jupiter’s giant training, evaluation of new space moon Europa and Saturn’s enigmatic world Titan. These are covered elsewhere in systems and as a host platform for this issue but the spectrum of interest in the inner and outer solar system heralds separate payloads. The last attempt to a renaissance in exploration. put a military station in space was the If there was ever a time for better understanding of the evolution of worlds it is Manned Orbiting Laboratory, a proposed now, with a concentrated focus on environment, ecological evolution and the crewed spy facility cancelled in 1969. cyclical change in Earth’s climate and weather systems, as noted on these news This time uncrewed autonomous pages. The investigation of alien worlds and a more refined understanding of operation is the theme – but only for now. Earth are inextricably linked and point toward a need for renewed commitment to In a solicitation for bids issued on 9 July, support for space programmes that provide vital data for intelligent decisions the DIU wants the orbital outpost to have about the Anthropocene. the provision for “human rating”. This In these last 40 years, commercial space activity has been driven by the integrates logically with the X-37B inexorable growth in consumer electronics, digital devices and portable autonomous spaceplane, although platforms of all kinds, sizes and capabilities. In parallel, the scientific nobody is saying that. investigation of space has provided a detailed base of knowledge about our place

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Coordination Centre in Frascati, approaches the Sun and heats up. Italy, to obtain additional Its location in the sky (as seen observations. He then worked from Earth) places it near the Sun, Briefing with the NASA-sponsored Minor which is an area of sky not usually Planet Center in Cambridge, scanned by the large ground- OPEN HOUSE Massachusetts, to estimate the based asteroid surveys or NASA's On 16 August NASA signed a deal with comet's precise trajectory and asteroid-hunting NEOWISE Northrop Grumman (NG) for the first determine whether it originated spacecraft. NEOWISE is the commercial use of the iconic Vehicle within our solar system or came renamed WISE infrared spacecraft Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy from elsewhere in the galaxy. for an extended programme of Space Center, a historic part of LC-39 and The comet is currently 420 observations. Launched in 2009, the place from which Saturn IB, Saturn V million km from the Sun and will WISE was equipped to conduct and Space Shuttle vehicles were reach its closest point, or an infrared survey of the sky but assembled prior to flight. NG will use the perihelion, on 8 December this was placed in hibernation in 2011 VAB to assemble its OmegA launch year at a distance of about 300 when the cryogenic coolant ran vehicle which will utilise High Bay 2 and million km. "The comet's current dry. It was reactivated in 2013, Mobile Launch Platform-3. The VAB will velocity is high, about 150,000 reassigned to hunt down NEOs also be the place where the Space km/hr, which is well above the and comets. Launch System will be assembled, a typical velocities of objects C/2019 Q4 can be seen with much bigger rocket that OmegA, which orbiting the Sun at that distance", professional telescopes for will have the capacity for placing up to said Farnocchia. "The high velocity months to come. "The object will 5,250 kg in GEO, a smaller variant lifting INCOMING ALIEN! indicates not only that the object peak in brightness in mid- 4,900 kg to GTO. OmegA will also fly from likely originated from outside our December and continue to be SLC-2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, solar system, but also that it will observable with moderate-size Calif, for polar/high inclination payloads. leave and head back to interstellar telescopes until April 2020", said space." Farnocchia. "After that, it will only Currently on an inbound be observable with larger VOYAGING ON trajectory, comet C/2019 Q4 is professional telescopes through heading toward the inner solar October 2020." Scientists estimate that the two Voyager system. On 26 October it will Observations completed by spacecraft now exiting the heliopause pass through the ecliptic plane, in Karen Meech and her team at the will take 30,000 years to reach the edge of which Earth and the other planets University of Hawaii indicate the the solar system, as defined by the outer orbit the Sun, from above at comet nucleus is somewhere limits of the Oort cloud, the last vestiges roughly a 40º angle. between 2 km and 16 km in copyof the Sun’s gravitational attraction. C/2019 Q4 was established as diameter. Astronomers will Which is why they are interested in using being cometary due to its fuzzy continue to collect observations some tricks to keep both of them going, appearance, which indicates that to further characterise the informing through the data they continue the object has a central icy body comet's physical properties (size, to send and paving the way for NASA’s that is producing a surrounding rotation, etc.) and also continue to Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe planned for launch in 2024. cloud of dust and particles as it better identify its trajectory. SF Although the positioning thrusters on each craft are degrading, they continue to ensure that their antennae point at Earth and on 8 July 2019 Voyager 2 fired its Because we must forego the word “colony”, and all that this thrusters again for the first time since its Subscriber fly-by of Neptune almost 30 years ago. entails, and embrace the concept of “co-existence”. A good starting place would be here and now, on Earth NASA

in the solar system and helped us understand various evolutionary paths taken by other planets with different environments. Earth science and support from national and international organisations is already looking deeper into how our own world works, as diagnostic orbital sensors plug Earth into a virtual and digital data-base from which we can make informed decisions about our future. But is this the way we would want to look back on our techno-society in 50 years? That we merely garnered information from instruments designed for data gathering and failed to respond to the messages they send. It’s a philosophical question: are we sufficiently mature to slough off the attractions of conspicuous consumption and use our intelligence for a worldwide shift toward species integration rather than some form of hierarchical domination of the natural world – the alpha-animal predating upon a shrinking biosphere? The answer may inform a roadmap to our future on Earth. It may also organise our thinking about how we go about planning and organising off-planet societal migration. Because we must forego the word “colony”, and all that this entails, and embrace the concept of “co-existence”, with whatever life form we may find out Voyager 2 prior to launch in August 1977. there in the Universe. A good starting place would be here and now, on Earth. SF DB

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 7 ISS REPORT ISS Report 9 August – 11 September 2019 Commanded by Russian Alexei Ovchinin and his crew of flight engineers, the Russian Alexander Skvortsov, Americans Nick Hague, Christina Koch and Drew Morgan, and Italian Luca Parmitano, Expedition 60 is well into its second month of operations. Report by George Spiteri

n 9 August, Morgan and Skvortsov OPPOSITE and inspected biology research hardware inside the monitored the Synchronised Position Andrew Morgan waves Russian segment. during a spacewalk to Hold, Engage, Reorient, Experimental install the IDA-3 docking During the light-duty weekend 10/11 August, Satellites-Zero Robotics (SPHERES-ZR) adapter. the crew conducted regular housekeeping chores, satellites inside Kibo. Middle school spoke to family and friends, performed their O NASA ALL IMAGES: students from the USA and Russia competed to daily two hourscopy exercise regimen and found time design algorithms which autonomously controlled to work with the Lighting Effects experiment the basketball-sized satellites to test rendezvous which monitors crewmembers' sleep patterns and docking manoeuvres that simulate scenarios and wakefulness and the Standard Measures such as retrieving an inoperable satellite. Koch biomedical investigation. tweeted she “Had a blast cheering on the students” Morgan took his turn to work with the BFF on during the competition. 12 August, whilst Parmitano conducted NASA’s Koch also worked inside Columbus with the Micro-15 stem cell investigation inside Kibo. BioFabrication Facility (BFF) which is helping Morgan later joined Koch inside the Quest airlock scientists learn how to print and grow human to resume preparations for the upcoming US EVA organs in space. Hague and Parmitano spent three BELOW and Ovchinin and Skvortsov worked with the hours inside Quest conducting maintenance to the Hurricane Dorian as Russian SPLANH experiment which studies how Subscriberseen from the ISS on 2 US Extravehicular Mobility Units (EMU) suits and September as the storm the gastrointestinal system adapts to long duration Ovchinin readied obsolete gear for return to Earth churned over the north- spaceflight. aboard Soyuz, serviced the life support systems western Bahamas. On 13 August, Hague and Morgan continued reviewing and planning procedures for their spacewalk. Hague also worked with the Cell Science-02 (CS-02) bone healing and regeneration study, whilst Koch serviced and replaced hardware which fuels experiments inside the Combustion Integrated Rack (CIR). Ovchinin and Skvortsov conducted maintenance to a Russian atmosphere purification system, then worked with a cardiopulmonary experiment and Parmitano answered questions from children visiting the Stockholm Culture Festival where he also spoke to UK astronaut Tim Peake who told his Italian colleague he was “obviously at home” aboard the station. Parmitano also had the distinction of becoming the world’s first DJ in space when he made a special appearance from Columbus to revellers at the World Club Dome in Ibiza! Robotics officers concluded a run of the external Robotic Refueling Mission-3 (RRM-3)

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experiment on 14 August. Controllers remotely whilst Koch and Parmitano performed rodent guided Canada’s Special Purpose Dexterous research and stem cell differentiation studies Manipulator (SPDM) or Dextre attached to “Awesome…I’m so respectively. Canandarm2 and tested cryogenic refuelling On 16 August, Koch assisted Hague and techniques in space. RRM-3 was delivered to the excited…This is Morgan with their spacewalk preparations inside ISS aboard SpaceX- CRS-16 (SpaceFlight Vol 61 Quest. Parmitano worked on a biology experiment No.2 p 16) and robotics engineer Kristen Facciol one of the hardest which NASA said has potential benefits for the tweeted the operation “was awesome and I’m so medicine industry. The Italian crewman also excited…This is one of the hardest things we do”. things we do” tended to stem cell samples growing in the Space Inside the station, Hague and Morgan continued to Automated Bioproduct Laboratory (SABL) prepare for their EVA, whilst Ovchinin, Skvortsov incubator to help researchers understand cell and Koch participated in an emergency simulation. behaviour in space, whilst his Russian colleagues The ISS received two re-boosts on 15 August, tested and recharged communications gear in the both a 9 min 45 sec firing of Progress 73’s two docked Soyuz vehicles. thrusters, the first at 05:53 UTC and the second Parmitano tweeted a picture of himself working at 08:55 UTC, increasing the station’s speed by with the Micro-15 experiment during the crew’s 0.58m/sec and placing it in a 415.0 x 428.7 km BELOW light-duty weekend 17/18 August where he Christina Koch uses a orbit necessitated by the imminent arrival of microscope to observe and prepared some samples of cells to be incubated in the next Soyuz spacecraft. Hague and Morgan photograph growing protein microgravity, whilst Hague and Morgan continued conducted further servicing of their EVA suits, crystal samples. with further preparations for their spacewalk. Parmitano began the working week on 19 August by continuing with the Micro-15 investigation. Morgan joined Koch to resume Dragon cargo operations and Hague researched ways which attempt to improve tyre manufacturing and performance. Ovchinin checked out the treadmill inside Zvezda and Skvortsov began a 24 hr session recording his heart activity for a Russian biomedical experiment. During the crew’s sleep period 19/20 August, robotics officers used Canadarm2 and Dextre to extract the 534 kg International Docking Adapter-3 (IDA-3)copy from Dragon’s unpressurised trunk and remotely positioned IDA-3 some 0.6 m near to the top of Harmony’s space-facing zenith port. Around 10:00 UTC on 21 August over two hours before Hague and Morgan exited Quest, IDA-3 made what NASA described as “surface to surface contact” with Pressurised Mating Adapter-3 (PMA-3) which is attached to Harmony and was eventually bolted onto PMA-3 during the EVA approximately five hours later at 14:58 UTC. Hague and Morgan began the mission’s first Subscriberspacewalk at 12:27 UTC on 21 August. The astronauts helped to connect power and data cables between IDA-3 and PMA-3. The connectors will power sensors, heaters and other mechanisms inside the docking system. Hague and Morgan also removed a thermal cover from IDA-3 and added laser retroreflectors on the docking adapter which will be used by rendezvous sensors once commercial crewed SpaceX Dragon and Boeing Crew Space Transportation-100 (CST-100) spaceships dock to ISS. At the end of the spacewalk, CapCom Mike Barratt told Hague and Morgan “you’ve given us a brand new docking port” to add to IDA-2 which arrived at the station in 2016 (SpaceFlight Vol 58 No.10 p 368). The spacewalk lasted 6 hr 32 min and was the 218th EVA dedicated to ISS maintenance and assembly totalling 56 days 23 hr 26 min.

UNCREWED SOYUZ An unmanned Soyuz MS-14/60S spaceship was launched by Soyuz-2.1a rocket from Baikonur’s

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Site 31 at 03:38 UTC (08:38 local time) on 22 ABOVE docking attempt.copy August. Russian space officials said the aim of the Luca Parmitano and Once aboard the ISS, Ovchinin and Skvortsov Christina Koch, Andrew mission was to test the compatibility of the new Morgan and Nick Hague, put Fedor through several days of tests including, Soyuz MS series of spacecraft with the Soyuz-2.1a take turns capturing images according to the Russian news agency TASS, booster, which will replace the Soyuz-FG rocket of rapidly intensifying successfully matching plug connectors to imitate and launch crewed Soyuz vehicles next March. The Hurricane Dorian on 30 operations done during a spacewalk. Once the tests Soyuz-2.1a was fitted with a new digital system August. were completed the robot was returned to Earth which apparently worked flawlessly. Also aboard aboard the same Soyuz. Fedor even has a Twitter Soyuz was the Russian humanoid Skybot F-850 page and Roscosmos Director General Dmitry robot named affectionately Fedor after Final Rogozin was recently quoted as saying that Fedor Experimental Demonstration Object Research. is an example of “artificial intelligence that will be FedorSubscriber was placed in the Soyuz commander’s centre Fedor is an of great practical significance in various fields”, seat in the Descent module with a small Russian which will be able in future to take over the more flag in his right hand. When Soyuz achieved orbit, example of mundane tasks conducted by cosmonauts both commands were sent to move Fedor’s head up and inside and outside the ISS. down and to the left and right. “artificial Russian space officials decided to undock Soyuz Soyuz docked automatically to Zvezda’s aft MS-13/59S from the ISS with Skvortsov, Morgan docking port at 03:08 UTC on 27 August as the intelligence that and Parmitano aboard to free Zvezda’s aft docking complex flew 418.4 km above eastern Mongolia, will be of great port to receive the unmanned Soyuz and allowed following a failed attempt to dock to Poisk on 24 Skvortsov as commander of the spacecraft to August. The initial docking was called off when practical perform a manual docking to Poisk at 03:59 UTC Soyuz was approximately 100 m from the station on 26 August following an autonomous flight of 24 and the Kurs automatic docking system failed to significance in min. properly lock onto its target on the ISS forcing Soyuz MS-14/60S was the first unmanned Ovchinin to issue the abort command at 05:36 various fields” version of the Russian spacecraft to dock at the UTC. A NASA blog stated that the problem was ISS and delivered 657.7 kg of supplies which was Dmitry Rogozin with an amplifier on the Kurs system on Poisk Director General, Roscosmos placed either side of Fedor in the Descent module and not on the Soyuz itself. Unlike Progress craft and because the spacecraft didn’t carry any life there was no back up Telerobotically Operated support systems this allowed for additional cargo Rendezvous Unit (TORU) capability and with to be delivered to the station crew. Soyuz being unmanned there wasn’t a cosmonaut Robotics officers unberthed the unmanned aboard to takeover manual control. Soyuz was SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft from then manoeuvred to a safe distance from the Harmony’s nadir or Earth facing port at 12:25 station for three days before the second successful UTC on 27 August. Dragon was released by

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 11 copy Canadarm2 over two and a half hours later at ABOVE live footage from the station’s external cameras 14:59 UTC as the complex flew 411.9 km above Andrew Morgan and Luca of Hurricane Dorian over the Atlantic Ocean, Parmitano pose for a the Pacific Ocean. Ground controllers delayed portrait while conducting north of Puerto Rico. The category five hurricane Dragon’s departure by 17 min to accommodate maintenance activities. caused considerable damage to the Bahamas for more favourable lighting conditions. Koch and several days later made landfall with the monitored the manoeuvre inside the Cupola south eastern coast of the US mainland. Earlier whilst Dragon performed three departure burns Parmitano tweeted a picture of the Amazon fires following its release. in South America and commented that “The Dragon conducted a 12 min 47 de-orbit burn NASA said the crew forest continues to burn”. Koch discussed her food at around 19:30 UTC on 27 August and splashed intake with nutritionists on the ground as part down inSubscriber the Pacific Ocean about an hour later were “back on of the Food Acceptability experiment and how it at 20:21 UTC (13:21 local time) 482.8 km south affects her appetite. Hague and Morgan devoted west of Long Beach California to complete the track with ongoing the second of three days to the Fluid Shifts medical Commercial Resupply Services-18 (CRS-18) experiment, whilst Ovchinin and Skvortsov mission and this spacecraft’s third visit to the space research” worked with the Russian Mikrovir and Biofilm ISS (SpaceFlight Vol 61 No. 10 p 9). Dragon following a “flurry studies which investigate how to combat space returned with more than 1,224.8 kg of supplies viruses and spacecraft contamination. and scientific experiments including the Biorock of space traffic” Parmitano worked with the Vascular Echo study (SpaceFlight Vol 61 No. 10 p 10) and the medical experiment on 30 August, whilst Koch set Space Moss biological investigation. The spacecraft up protein crystal samples for stowage inside an was taken to the port of Los Angeles were critical automated incubator and answered questions from items were unloaded and then was sent to SpaceX’s students at her alma mater in North Carolina. McGregor, Texas facility for post-flight analysis. The USOS crew had an extended light-duty On 28 August, NASA said the crew were back weekend 31 August/1-2 September to take account on track with ongoing space research following of the US Labour Day holiday but took time out to a flurry of space traffic. Ovchinin and Skvortsov work on several experiments including the NutrISS began several days of unloading the newly arrived and Probiotics biomedical studies. Soyuz. Parmitano documented his meals for a On 3 September, Koch and Morgan continued space nutrition study and Hague spoke to media to prepare for the arrival of JAXA’s unmanned H-II from his home state of Kansas and said “life Transfer Vehicle-8 (HTV-8) called Kounotori-8 aboard the Station is amazing…everyday is full of (White Stork-8) cargo vehicle. Koch joined Hague new things”. to conduct maintenance work to the Main Bus At 17:00 UTC on 29 August, NASA TV showed Switching Unit (MBSU), whilst Parmitano worked

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copy with the Veg-04 facility. ABOVE The ISS crew conducted several scientific The following day saw Hague and Morgan Progress 72 cargo craft experiments over the weekend of 7/8 September, is pictured shortly before perform further work with the Fluid Shifts undocking from the Pirs including the ongoing Standard Measures investigation. Parmitano completed cell sample docking compartment. experiment. transfers for the Biomolecule Extraction and Hague and Morgan began their week on 9 Sequencing Technology (BEST) experiment, whilst September by resuming the work with Fluid Shifts Koch continued to review rendezvous and capture experiment. Koch and Parmitano conducted training for HTV-8 and Ovchinin and Skvortsov ultrasounds in support of studies into vascular and devoted most of their day to the Russian DAN fluid movements and Parmitano also closed out medical study. work with the Space Moss investigation. HagueSubscriber and Morgan continued with the JAXA postponed the launch of HTV-8 at 18:05 Fluid Shifts experiment on 5 September, whilst UTC on 10 September over three hours before lift- Parmitano serviced the EXPRESS Rack and Koch off. According to a JAXA spokesperson “we found cleaned the Rodent Research habitat. Ovchinin a fire around a hole in the deck of the mobile and Skvortsov went through their final hours of launcher” at the Tanegashima launch site in south packing Soyuz MS-14 prior to its departure from east Japan. The fire was eventually put out two the Station. hours later and began after fuelling to the H-IIB Earlier Parmitano rocket was completed. No injuries were reported RETURN TO SENDER and it’s not known if any damage was done to After 11 days at the ISS, Soyuz MS-14/60S tweeted a picture the rocket. JAXA gave no explanation for the undocked from Zvezda at 18:14 UTC on 6 cause of the fire and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, September as the complex flew 418.4 km above the of the Amazon fires who build the H-IIB booster said the company Russian/Chinese border. Soyuz made a successful had never seen a launch pad fire during H-IIB landing over three hours later at 21:32 UTC in South America launches. JAXA haven’t as yet announced a new (03:32 7 September local time) approximately and commented date for another launch attempt. 140 km south east of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan. On 11 September, there was further work with The spacecraft was packed with Russian scientific that “the forest the Fluid Shifts investigation for Hague and cargo including the Fedor robot and Roscosmos Morgan, whilst the remainder of the crew filled in personnel were on-site to recover the vehicle continues to burn” their Food Acceptability questionnaire and for post-flight engineering examination. Fedor’s conducted surveys in support of the Team Task designer Igor Sokhin told TASS the “experiment Switching experiment which aims to improve was almost 100% complete. All the tasks were individual and crew motivation and effectiveness carried out”. during long duration space flight. SF

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Requiem rocket for a August 2019 witnessed the historic last launch of the Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) rocket – the 29th by the United Launch Alliance and the 14th with two solid rocket boosters. by Don Hladiuk copy he first launch of a Delta IV rocket was on 20 RIGHT November 2002. There are several variations to Lift-off for the last Delta IV Medium+ the Delta IV Medium family using a 4 or 5 m (4,2), on 22 August fairing plus with various optional combinations 2019. of solid rocket motors. The Delta IV Medium T FAR RIGHT launch record is unblemished in its near-17 year history. An artist depicts Including the eleven Delta IV Heavy launches, this was the GPS IIIA the 40th Delta IV launch of the entire family. generation The Delta IV Common Booster Core (CBC) and of precision Delta Cryogenic Second Stage (DCSS) are both navigation Subscribersatellite. constructed by ULA in their Decatur, Alabama facility and shipped by the M/V Delta Mariner to either Vandenberg Air Force Base, California or Cape Canaveral, Florida. The vehicle is then rolled to a horizontal integration facility (HIF) for final assembly and checkout before being rolled to Space Launch Complex 37B (SLC-37B). The vehicle is then raised The Delta IV vertically and protected by the Mobile Service Tower Medium (MST). Once at the MST the GEM 60 solid rocket motors (if required) are attached and the payload launch protected by the fairing is raised and mounted to the top of the launch vehicle. A few hours before launch, record is the MST is rolled 105 m to the north of the launch pad. The payload for the final Delta IV Medium launch unblemished vehicle was the second GPS IIIA spacecraft (nicknamed Magellan). The first (Vespucci) was launched by Falcon in its near-17 9 on 23 December 2018. It is estimated that more than year history four billion military, commercial and civilian users around the globe connect with the Global Positioning System (GPS). This advanced technology, developed for and operated by the U.S. Air Force, is an essential part of daily life. As essential as GPS is, the US Air Force has

14 Vol 61 November 2019 SpaceFlight LAUNCH VEHICLES LEFT: DON HLADIUK / RIGHT: USAF HLADIUK / RIGHT: DON LEFT:

committed to modernizing the entire system – from the ground system to the satellite constellations – with new technology to make way for advanced capabilities and to build in flexibility to address future mission requirements. Contracted copyby the US Air Force, Lockheed Martin develops and builds GPS IIIA, an entirely new GPS satellite, more powerful than any GPS space vehicle previously launched. The key baseline features for GPS IIIA include three-fold improvement in accuracy for military users, an eight-fold increase in anti-jamming capabilities to help ensure important signals used by the military are not interrupted, a more robust design with life extended to 25 years, a 25% increase over the preceding generation, and a new L1C Civil Signal. This makes GPS IIIA the first GPS satellite broadcasting Subscribera compatible signal with other international Global Navigation Satellite Systems, like Europe’s Galileo, improving connectivity for civilian users. The GPS IIIA spacecraft was encapsulated inside the 4 m diameter clam shell payload fairing on 26 June 2019. On 31 July the payload was transported to the MST and mated to the launch vehicle. Including the payload fairing, the Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) height is approximately 63 m. The Delta IV Common Booster Core (CBC) tanks are structurally rigid and constructed of isogrid aluminum barrels, spun-formed aluminium domes and machined aluminium tank skirts. Delta IV booster propulsion is provided by the throttleable RS-68A engine system which burns cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen and delivers 3,137 kN of thrust at sea level. The booster’s cryogenic tanks are insulated with a combination of spray-on and bond-on insulation and helium purged insulation blankets. The booster is controlled by the avionics in the second stage, which provides guidance and flight control. The Delta Cryogenic Second Stage (DCSS) propellant tanks are structurally rigid and constructed

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BADGED UP The Global Positioning Systems Directorate provided the art work located on the rocket’s payload fairing. The Green banner contains the Directorate’s motto: “Any Time, Any Place – Right Time, Right Place”. The Earth globe depicts our planet as viewed from space and as the origin and control point for the GPS Constellation. The grid lines on the Earth emphasize the global accuracy of the GPS signal. The six pulsars symbolize the six planes of the constellation and atomic clocks providing the never- ending heartbeat of precise timing. The three orbital planes represent the three generations of GPS satellites. The heritage compass rose in the upper left symbolizes early wisdom and navigation. Finally, the three stars in the black field represent the three GPS segments: space, ground and user equipment. USAF

DON HLADIUK DON copy of formed aluminum plate, spun-formed aluminium ABOVE At just over 4 minutes the first stage completed its domes and aluminium ring forgings. It is a cryogenic A fine view of job and was jettisoned. The second stage engine ignited the Delta launch liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen-fuelled vehicle, powered facility at Cape and soon after the payload fairing was jettisoned. by a single RL10B-2 engine that produces 110 kN of Canaveral as Approximately 9 minutes later the second stage was shut thrust. An equipment shelf is attached to the aft dome the last in a down and entered a 53 minute coast period. The second of the DCSS liquid oxygen tank and provides the distinguished stage engine was re-ignited for at 3.5 minute burn. After structural mountings for the vehicle’s electronics. line of rockets is another coast period of about 45 minutes the second prepared for flight. This final launch of the Delta IV Medium also GPS IIIA spacecraft was released into its targeted included the last two GEM 60s built by Northrop medium Earth orbit inclined 550 to the equator. Grumman.Subscriber Each solid rocket motor is 16 m long, 1.52 I deployed two Canon 6D remote cameras near m in diameter and provides 1,250 kN of thrust. The SLC-37B to record this historic final launch of a Delta motors are constructed of a graphite-epoxy composite. IV single stick rocket. Some of the images are included in this summary. I also used two GoPro 5 cameras to LAST ALOFT record the launch. One camera was situated near the Launch day was set for 22 August 2019 with an 80% pad and can be seen here on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ probability of favourable weather during the 27 minute uLyILpZ0dq0 launch window. The launch time was delayed by five It is always My second GoPro was deployed at our viewing minutes to allow additional time to condition the 2nd exhilarating location over 4 km away and can be viewed at https:// stage propellants. The revised T-Zero was set for 9:06 youtu.be/iBVED80DlBw am local time (EDT). to experience After the launch I had mixed feelings. It is always The count went smoothly and at precisely 9:06 am exhilarating to experience a rocket breaking free of the final Delta IV Medium lifted off SLC-37B into a rocket Earth’s gravity but at the same time, I felt sadness as a mostly clear sky. I viewed the launch from near this was the end of the highly successful Delta IV the 5th Space Launch Squadron building at Cape breaking free Medium family. On the bright side, one of the largest Canaveral. The distance to the pad was 4.3 km and rockets in the world, Delta IV Heavy (with three CBCs the view was spectacular, the crackling roar shaking of Earth’s strapped together), will still fly for another three or my body. The 20-storey rocket initially went straight gravity four years, providing further opportunities to witness up before it started to arc over the Atlantic Ocean this enduring launch vehicle. towards its targeted orbit. In a little over 1.5 minutes I am grateful to both ULA and to the 45th Space the solid rocket motors tailed off and were jettisoned. Wing for allowing me to record and witness this Approximately 2 minutes after launch the vehicle historic event and extend my congratulations on a weighed less than half of what it did at launch time. launch well done. SF

16 Vol 61 November 2019 SpaceFlight copy Subscriber LAUNCH VEHICLES ALL IMAGES: ESA ALL IMAGES: Clear air turbulencecopy ESA goes one step back, two steps forward in the battle for orders. by David Baker

ith commitments all around by launch ABOVE marketplace too, having already signed up to fly operators vying for custom, and a US An artist visualises Dream Chaser CRS-2 flights and to launch Astrobotic Subscriberthe Ariane A64 determination to put the Russian RD-180s launcher at Technology’s Peregrine lunar lander. Add to the mix in the exit door, nobody is complacent Kourou, French the existing Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy and the two-stage W about how the market share will stack up Guiana. CubeSat launcher Vector-R and there will be a lot of when the new, and much more efficient, launch vehicles uncertainty in the coming decade as to how competing get into their stride over the next decade. In the midst of launchers attract commercial users in the US. which comes the European Space Agency with Ariane 5, Ariane 6 and the current Vega and Soyuz launchers MAKE AND MEND providing customers with a spread of capacity and Proclaiming itself as the installed favourite for several capability tuned to defined requirements. But will the upcoming deals with satellite operators, Europe’s settled specifications for Vega and Ariane 6 prove an Arianespace is approaching its 20th birthday next advantage or a disadvantage? year with more than 64% capitalisation from French Some launchers are competing for specific markets, companies and organisations. ESA has provided the the United Launch Alliance Vulcan being one aimed collective assembly of European contributors to the directly at bringing back a wholly “made in the USA” development of successive generations of launcher, contender for the United Launch Alliance’s bid for beginning with the Ariane 1 series which made its the US Air Force’s National Security Space Launch ABOVE RIGHT first flight almost 40 years ago on 24 December 1979. competition. As replacement for Atlas V and Delta ESA’s futuristic Remarkably for its time, 9 of the 11 flights with this IV, Vulcan inherits design and technology from both fantail of vehicle were a success, followed through successive providing a greater lift capacity in the biggest variant launchers: (left developments by the first successful launch of the to right) Ariane 5, than either of its predecessors. Vega, Ariane A62, Ariane 5 on 30 October 1997. With initial operating capability in 2021, Vulcan has Vega-C and Now there is Ariane 6 which is designed to a the ability to take a lot of custom from the commercial Ariane A64. different philosophy, engineering two different variants

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(A62 and A64) covering the payload spectrum of RIGHT Ariane 5 but with much lower pricing made possible The 90 m high, Subscriber8,200 tonne mobile through reduced costs. To some degree, Ariane 5 was gantry for Ariane defined at the outset by the early decision to have it 6 undergoes a 97 capable of lifting the European spaceplane Hermes. m rollout test on When Hermes was cancelled in 1992 it left Ariane 5 24 July. compromised by the capability it had originally been required to possess and hostage to the capacity for big, heavy geostationary payloads. But that is changing. For medium satellites, the Soyuz launcher has restart capability in the Fregat upper stage and can deliver 3,250 kg to GTO or 4,850 kg to LEO and the When Hermes new Ariane 6 will have the capacity to put 11,500 kg in GEO or 21,650 kg in LEO. Offering to deliver up to was cancelled 1,430 kg to polar orbit (700 km) or marginally more to a Sun-synchronous path, the solid-propellant Italian in 1992 it left Vega rocket made its first flight in February 2012 and July 2019 at 10:53 pm (local time in French Guiana). had completed 14 flights with the launch of Italy’s Ariane 5 At precisely 130.85 sec after liftoff – and shortly after PRISMA Earth observation technology development ignition of the Zefiro 23 second stage (Zefiro 23) – an satellite in March 2019. compromised anomaly occurred on the launcher, leading to the Failure struck Vega with the next launch, the VV15 premature end of the mission…The operation of the flight carrying the UAE Falcon Eye-1 optical imaging P80 first stage (engine ignition, atmospheric phase, P80 satellite. In the words of the official inquiry: propulsion and separation) was nominal; all parameters “The Vega launcher lifted off as scheduled on 10 were as expected and in line with those from

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schedules on the new Ariane 6. A new start-up from Japan offering synthetic aperture radar services, Synspective, Canada’s exactEarth and ESA have each ordered Vega flights. exactEarth is offering intelligence for maritime tracking of surface vessels and for a diverse range of applications to the defence and civilian sectors. It has taken over a share slot in 2022 partnering on a ride with Israel’s 110 kg ESAIL satellite. ESA wants Vega to put up Spain’s SEASat/Ingenio optical Earth observation satellite and contracts have been signed with the British start-up company Open Cosmos which offers cubesats for customers and an expanding capacity for pushing applications and innovative uses for small satellites. They will fly on Soyuz as will various customers of Tyvak Nan-Satellite Systems which is itself a subsidiary of Terran Orbital Corporation. The shift toward increasing numbers of smaller satellites, cubesats and nanosats is seen by some as a market disruptor but by others as the new preceding flights. The ignition and powered phase ABOVE wave pushing investors toward a broader range of of the Z23 stage was nominal during the first 14.25 sec The nozzle being space applications. Both points of view be true to some attached to the and all parameters were as expected and in line with P120C solid rocket extent. those for preceding flights. motor for Ariane 6 But bookings for Arianespace are solid and some of “At 130.85 sec, a sudden and violent event occurred and Vega-C. The the assumptions made by the real disruptors, SpaceX on the Z23 motor. This event led to a breakup of the P120C is almost and Blue Origin, just might not work out in the way launcher in two main parts: the Z23; and the assembly 11.5 m long and advertised. To date, Ariane has eight flights booked on about 3.4 m in composed of the fairing, satellite, flight adapter, diameter and was Ariane 6 and a further 11 for Ariane 5 with capacity AVUM and the Zefiro 9 stage (Z9). At 135 sec the built in just one on the former full to the middle of 2022. Because of upper assembly trajectory started to deviate from the segment. Two this, Arianespace had to decline a request for slots nominal one. At 213.66 sec, in accordance with the or four of these sought by SES in 2021 for that company’s mPOWER motors will be safety procedures in force at the Guiana Space Center, strapped to Ariane satellites, which will now fly on Falcon 9. This is a loss a neutralization command was sent by range safety 6 as boosters for to Arianespace, which launched twenty O3B satellites authorities and was confirmed as executed by analysis liftoff. for SES. The next generationcopy will switch from Thales of telemetry data. At 314.25 sec telemetry data and Alenia Space to Boeing Satellite Systems in medium signals from the launcher were no longer received by Earth orbit and while the initial flights will not go to ground radar and telemetry stations. Ariane, SES keeps open the possibility of later launches “The Commission identified as the most likely with Ariane 6. cause of the anomaly a thermo-structural failure in the forward dome area of the Z23 motor. Other possible NEWCOMER causes such as inadvertent activation of the Z23 At present, Arianespace is serving 37 customers with neutralisation system have been found unlikely. This 52 booked flights, including 11 for Ariane 5, eight for action plan shall enable a resumption of Vega launches “At 130.85 Ariane 6, 24 for Soyuz and nine for Vega and Vega-C, under all requisite conditions of reliability by the first sec, a sudden the latter making its debut in 2020. Interconnections quarter Subscriberof 2020.” with Starsem in Russia are working to broaden the and violent base of operations, with that organisation expected to JOSTLING FOR POSITION carry out OneWeb’s second launch toward the end of Unlike recent years, the orders for 2020 launches event this year on a Soyuz rocket from Baikonur. Yet, unlike are all over the place with a definite emphasis on preceding generations of launch vehicle, in many electric propulsion. Of the eleven geostationary occurred on ways Vega and the new Vega-C will prove a profitable communication satellites ordered for 2019, nine are money-spinner, attracting more customers than for electric satellites. Weights span the spectrum, the Z23 competitors might expect. from the 300 kg for the Astranis internet satellite to The inauguration of Vega-C, with a capacity to the 6,500 kg of ViaSat-3, with Inmarsat opting for the motor” deliver up to 2,200 kg to polar orbit, will considerably 3,000 kg GX Flex; at that mass it could double-up on broaden the available market potential, closing the gap a single launcher. To date, Arianespace has received up to Soyuz and providing the operator with a more nine bookings since the beginning of the year: two for closely spaced fit with market expectations. The critical Ariane 5, two for Ariane 6, two for Soyuz and three design review was held in February 2019 clearing the for Vega. OneWeb has booked aboard the first flight of way for design qualification. The evolution calls for Ariane 6 with the satellite broadband Ovzon operator modifications to the existing Vega launch pad and the switching its Ovzon-3 from a Falcon Heavy to Ariane mobile gantry with a more powerful crane, additional 5 and Arianespace claims that another, undisclosed, pallets and modifications to the fluids transfer system. customer has booked in for 2021 on that launcher. Vega-C is based on the existing Vega launcher and On government programmes, ESA has selected comprises four stages. Three stages will use solid- Ariane A64 for its JUICE Jupiter Explorer probe propellant motors and one will use liquid propellants. scheduled for launch in 2022 but Arianespace says The first stage is based on the P120C, the largest that this may shift to an Ariane 5 to accommodate monolithic carbon fibre solid-propellant rocket motor

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ever built. Its development relies on new technologies ABOVE advantage from increasing levels of stage reusability. derived from those of P80, Vega’s current first stage The first But not just yet. The price paid in the conserved mass qualification motor and will provide a significant increase in model of the P120 for propelling a lower stage to a return flight path and performance. The P120C will also be used for the liftoff solid propellant then decelerating to a soft landing, in addition to the boosters on Ariane 6. motor for Vega-C, mass of the landing gear, just might not turn out to be The second stage with the new Zefiro-40 (Z40) static fired on as advantageous as first thought. Meanwhile, perhaps motor will contain about 36 tonnes of solid propellant 28 January greater economies can be had from more efficient 2019. During a providingSubscriber an average thrust of 1,100 kN. The Zefiro-9 burn time of 135 stages and operational costs allowing lower prices, as is third stage, currently used on Vega, burns 10 tonnes seconds, the already evident from Ariane 6, Vega and Vega-C. For of solid propellant. The AVUM+ upper stage for P120C delivered a Europe, the future is bright. SF orbital positioning and attitude control is derived from maximum thrust of the current Vega AVUM but has a lighter structure. 4,650 kN. It carries more propellant inside larger tanks and features several new European-developed components. AVUM+ has a propellant mass of 0.74 tonnes and the main engine will provide an average thrust of 2.45 kN. RIGHT A larger fairing with an increased payload envelope, The first element and which will have a diameter of 3 m to accommodate of Europe’s future evolution of the larger satellites, is also being developed. It will be Vega launch suitable for Earth observation satellites of more than vehicle for use two tonnes, and the Space Rider re-entry vehicle. The beyond 2025 was total length of Vega-C is about 35 m with a mass at successfully tested at Avio in liftoff of 210 tonnes, a significant increase over the Colleferro, Italy current Vega’s 130 tonnes. on 13 November For Arianespace, and Europe’s position in the 2018, a 3D-printed launcher market, the current and anticipated range of small-scale payload carriers will suit the market through at least prototype thrust chamber of the the middle of the next decade and consideration is oxygen-methane already being given to a radical new future for launch M10 upper stage vehicle technology, some of which may gain further engine.

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 21 SPACE HISTORY Apollo 12 the second coming

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When Apollo 11 returned from the Moon the scientists could begin serious planningSubscriber for additional landings, to more ambitious places calling for precision touchdowns to gather valuable samples from geologically attractive places. by David Baker

ASA had contracted for fifteen mission what it had previously believed it could receive sets – of Saturn V launch vehicles, Apollo funding to support. AAP involved using Apollo spacecraft and Lunar Modules – with legacy hardware to build space stations in Earth which to achieve the first landing. Now orbit, stations around the Moon and surface bases N that it had been accomplished there were which would operate much like scientific outposts nine potential lunar missions to come, after which in remote areas on Earth, Antarctica being one there would be no more Saturn V rockets, the key example. enabler and the most expensive of all the Apollo But NASA’s budget had been in decline for engineering elements. several years and the prospects for basing future But the first landing, while sealing the activities around Apollo hardware meant that opportunities ahead, opened possibilities for a available funding would be completely absorbed sustained lunar exploration programme which by mounting these expensive missions, leaving had, for several years, been developing under nothing with which to develop the next generation what NASA initially called Apollo X, then the ABOVE of hardware, including rockets and spacecraft. As Apollo Extension System and finally the Apollo The all-Navy Apollo 12 engineering achievements, Apollo legacy hardware crew of Conrad (left) Applications Program (AAP). When President Gordon (centre) and Bean was outstanding but the costs were beyond the Kennedy set the Moon goal, NASA imagined an on NASA’s second Moon budgets NASA could sustain, for which, seeing it as ambitious manned space programme far beyond landing flight. originally projected in its political challenge to the

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copy Soviets, Congress had little appetite for turning into ABOVE J-series missions beginning with Apollo 16. a permanent, government funded enterprise. Dick Gordon had much The choice of landing site for this second to do from lunar orbit, Two elements of AAP did receive approval: the photographing potential engineering flight was based upon a need to show conversion of an S-IVB rocket stage into a space future landing sites. precision touchdown to within a few tens of metres station, outfitted on the ground and launched of pre-flight coordinates. What better place to do ALL IMAGES: NASA ALL IMAGES: by the first two stages of a Saturn V, and the that than alongside a Surveyor soft-lander which development of a Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) had been sitting on the Moon for almost three which could be carried to the Moon in one of the years? So it was decided that Apollo 12 would land vacant quadrants of a Lunar Module Descent Stage close to the Surveyor III spacecraft and retrieve and deployed on the surface by Moonwalkers. parts of it, including the TV camera, to bring back BoeingSubscriber received a contract to build the LRV on to Earth for analysis. Scientists were very interested October 28, 1969, and a month later the US Air in what effect exposure to the lunar environment Force cancelled a military space station called the BELOW had on materials. Lift-off into heavy weather Manned Orbiting Laboratory as the government which within seconds will But it transpired that the second landing on approved development of NASA’s AAP space see Apollo 12 get a double the Moon had more than its fair share of “firsts”, station, renamed Skylab in early 1970, launched on lightning strike. not all of them desirable, the first of which began the last Saturn V, previously allocated to the last seconds after launch at 11.22 am on November Moon mission. 14, 1969, into wet weather. At 36.5 seconds, and again at 52 seconds, the ascending rocket induced a LUNAR RENDEZVOUS lightning strike which earthed to the ground along Had Apollo 11 not landed when it did, Apollo 12 the exhaust plume, taking out Apollo’s three fuel would have mounted a second attempt two months cells switching power to the batteries, taking out later involving Charles “Pete” Conrad, Richard the spacecraft’s attitude indicator and illuminating “Dick” Gordon and Alan “Al” Bean. But now every caution and warning light on the displays. that it had, managers could relieve the pressure On the ground and aboard Apollo 12, nobody on everyone associated with hardware and flight quite knew what had happened. Except for the preparation, from the crew down. Apollo 11 had electrical, environmental and consumables fulfilled the G-series flight envisaged by Owen manager (EECOM) John Aaron in Mission Control Maynard, Apollo 12 would be the first of the and Alan Bean in the spacecraft. Recalling an event H-series utilising the basic, unmodified hardware noted by each man in a simulation exercise some to its fullest extent. Under the plan in mid-1969, time back, Aaron called Flight Director Gerry the H-1 flight would be followed by three more in Griffin advising him to have the Capcom tell the the series before the first of four greatly expanded crew to switch the signal conditioning electronics

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 23 SATELLITES The pinpoint landing was a tremendous achievement and the most important engineering aspect of the mission

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to a back-up source. Only Al Bean recognised what that was and in his capacity as spacecraft systems manager took immediate action, restoring power to the fuel cells and taking the strain off the batteries. By the time they reached orbit all the systems had been restored and the crew had brief moments to reflect that if the guidance platform on the Saturn V had failed due to the lightning strike it would have immediately triggered an abort. Special efforts were applied after orbit insertion to check that all the systems were operating satisfactorily before the S-IVB performed its second burn to send the spacecraft on its way to the Moon. The only significant departure from Apollo 11 was the hybrid transfer trajectory, launched to a free-return path before a course correction burn performed with the SPS engine at 30 hr 52 min into the mission placed it on a non-free return path. Before that, as a precautionary measure to ensure the possible use of the LM’s descent engine should that be needed to get back to a free-return trajectory, the LM (Intrepid) got an early checkout. There was a more relaxed attitude on this flight, the all-Navy crew descending into in-house Navy jokes, mannerisms and banter, not unexpected since Pete Conrad was an impossibly irreverent practical-joker, jester and all-round fun person. All the same procedures pioneered by Apollos 10 ABOVE state since landing in 1967. The dust from Intrepid’s and 11 were followed, with lunar orbit insertion, The erectable S-band engine had blown away settled particles that had antenna through which separation from Yankee Clipper – the name of the NASA had hoped to send changed the colour of the spacecraft to a darker Command and Service Modules – and the descent TV pictures of Conrad and hue, revealing the dust-free surface of booms and to the surface. Coordinating a masterclass in Bean. equipment.copy precision flying and touchdown, Mission Control Like Apollo 11, the crew would conduct their LEFT had set in place contingency update spaces to A unique view looking first Moonwalk soon after landing, only this time ensure that any guidance errors could be removed through the hatch as Alan it was planned from the outset to be so, placing during the powered flight down to the surface. Bean takes a picture of Pete a sleep period between the second excursion Apollo 12 was targeted to a landing site 7.46º Conrad backing down on to outside and lift-off. They would be long days and the front porch and down of longitude farther west than the Apollo 11 site the ladder to the surface. prove tiring taking the operation of the Personal which was at 23.4º E and because Intrepid was Life Support System (PLSS) backpack into new landing much farther around the front face of the operational cycles, for the first time on the surface Moon there was much greater opportunity for being recharged and used a second time. These tracking and checking the flight path. Any errors extensions of activity over that demonstrated on buildingSubscriber up in the descent path – at one point an Apollo 11 were significant milestones on the way error of 1,340 m was steered out of the trajectory toward the J-series missions in which surface – would be adjusted during the descent. This tactic activity, as well as that conducted from orbit, would put the LM right down on the crest of the crater on BELOW be greatly enhanced. a flank of which the Surveyor III rested. The TV camera of the type It had taken Conrad and Bean 11 min 56 min carried on Apollo 10 with MOONWALKS which it was hoped viewers to get down on the surface, landing at 110 hrs 32 on Earth could follow This mission would have Intrepid on the Moon min 36sec and only 177 m short of the pre-planned surface activities around for 31 hr 32 min 48 sec, with deployment of the spot to avoid obstacles but still only 155 m from Intrepid. postponed Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Surveyor III. A place irreverently nicknamed “Pete’s Package (ALSEP) suite of experiments passed over Parking Lot” by a commander a lot less formal than from Apollo 11. First up was the deployment of his predecessor! But the pinpoint landing was a those packages, the Moonwalk beginning when the tremendous achievement and the most important diminutive 1.67 m tall Conrad jumped down from engineering aspect of the mission, demonstrating the bottom rung of the ladder with the comment that future Apollo flights could access difficult areas “Man, that might have been a small one for Neil but in rugged terrain. that’s a long one for me!”, which set the tone for the Initially, the crew found difficulty in knowing rest of their time on the surface. The EVA officially precisely where they were; the low Sun angle began at 115 hr 10 min 35 sec. playing visual tricks with shadows and giving a A major highlight for viewers on Earth was false sense of location. During the descent the the colour TV camera, a modified version of the LM had come within 109 m of the Surveyor III camera carried on Apollo 10, pictures being sent spacecraft and had blown dust across its structure, via an erectable S-band antenna placed on the which was of interest due to its apparent pristine surface on a tripod and looking like an upturned

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umbrella. Unfortunately, in carrying the camera to the site where it was to be set on its mounting, Bean accidently pointed it at the Sun, burning out the vidicon tube. One of the reasons was that in conducting a yaw manoeuvre immediately prior to touchdown the LM was placed directly down-Sun which rotated the planned deployment alignment. It was a public relations disaster; viewers losing interest listening just to voices saying things the meaning of which only a few could understand. There was no more TV from the surface on either Moonwalk. The plan for this first EVA was to lay out the ALSEP array, as it would be on each successive mission, comprising individual sets of experiments designed for particular places; for instance, leaving seismometers in as large a triangulation pattern as possible from different landing locations on succeeding flights so as to raise the quality of the data. But the suite of detectors was much larger than Apollo 11’s EASAP and included a wide range of instruments including magnetometer, solar- wind spectrometer, suprathermal ion detector, cold cathode ion gauge and a passive seismometer. ABOVE to his hands. Almost all the activity of this first All these would send data to Earth via a Central The arrangement of Moonwalk was taken up with ALSEP work, nearly ALSEP experiments set Station and antenna, powered by a Radioisotope up sufficiently far from two hours in all, the division of activity between Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) incorporating Intrepid so as not to suffer the first and the second EVA on this flight being a plutonium 238 dioxide pellet producing heat contamination at lift-off. the pattern for future H-series missions. When the converted to electricity by thermocouples. crew ended their working day, EVA-1 had lasted 3 The plutonium pellet had been carried in a hr 56 min and it was time for a rest, both Conrad graphite cask on the rear left side of Intrepid and BELOW and Bean having been awake for 22 hr by the time extracted by Conrad using a special tool which Withdrawing the plutonium they finally got to sleep. he also used to place it in the power source before from its graphite cask The second Moonwalkcopy for Conrad and Bean moving it out with the rest of the ALSEP to the before inserting it comprised a geological traverse around the crater into the Radioisotope deployment site. A source of radiation, Conrad Thermoelectric Generator alongside which they had landed and across to reported that he could feel the heat conducted which would send power to the Surveyor spacecraft sitting on the slopes of its up the removal tool and through the suit gloves the ALSEP instruments. opposite wall, conducting what was tantamount to the first geologic field trip and the only one in the Apollo programme in which a previously landed spacecraft was visited by humans. The site itself had been selected based on the presence of the Surveyor III spacecraft but it had been a late decision. The Group for Lunar Exploration SubscriberPlanning had recommended to Sam Phillips’ Apollo Site Selection Board several possible landing sites based on the priority for determining the origin of the Moon and to establishing its chemical and physical character and the reasons for its present condition. On 10 July 1969 ten priority sites were sent to the Phillips group, many of which were hazardous and difficult to access across undulating and mountainous terrain. When Apollo 11 exposed difficulties with achieving pin-point landings, former Survey programme manager Benjamin Milwitzky argued for the Surveyor III site so that it would allow retrieval of structural materials from which much could be learned regarding the effect of the lunar environment on lunar base structures. The trajectory for such a site would also provide bootstrap photography of the Fra Mauro site, high on the scientists’ list of preferable landing sites. In July 1969, Howard Tindall wrote that “It is clear that lunar point landing capability is absolutely necessary if we are to support the exploration program the scientists want”.

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There had been pressure to land in the crater Copernicus but that was felt to be extremely dangerous. The Surveyor III site sat on a ray from Copernicus and it was felt that this area would provide an opportunity to obtain materials from the Copernican event. It also offered suitable back- up sites in the event of a launch delay shifting the landing area across the lunar surface further to the west. Thanks largely to the efforts of Milwitzky and British-born lunar geologist Ewen Whitaker, a quick decision was made by the end of July which turned out to be the perfect choice for this hybrid mission: an engineering qualification flight for the remainder of the programme and a scientifically beneficial site.

TREASURE TROVE Intrepid’s resting place was a straight-line distance of 155 m from Surveyor III, well within reach of Conrad and Bean. But the two lunarnauts took a circuitous route, ending up at the unmanned lander which had been on the surface for two years and six months only after a series of station stops collecting samples. The second EVA began at 131 hr 32 min 45 sec, the crew initially removing tools and placing them on the Apollo Lunar Hand Tool Carrier (ALHTC) which consisted of a folded aluminium frame on to which could be attached the tools and equipment necessary for a geologic excursion. Their initial destination was Head Crater, about 50 m west of Intrepid and south-west of the ALSEP site. And then it was on to Bench Crater, 244 m south of the copy north-west rim of Head with Conrad making some interesting observations about the surface: “These rocks obviously came out of the crater, because they ABOVE worked their way in a west-south-west direction are scattered more uniformly around it. There’s a The two sub-pallets for the toward Sharp Crater where they spent ten minutes bunch of them on the rim and there’s not many far ALSEP array. with core tubes and sample bags at this small away. We probably ought to grab a big one of them.” BELOW depression where Conrad noted a much softer rim Then, moving further away from the spacecraft Loping across the surface grain than elsewhere. Now 400 m from Intrepid theySubscriber would eventually visit, Conrad and Bean to the deployment site. they were as far from the Lunar Module as they

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would get and less than two hours into the EVA they packed up and headed east, crossing the southern flank of Bench Crater, stopping at Halo and eventually making their way to Surveyor Crater, the 200 m diameter depression on the south flank of which rested the robot spacecraft. When Surveyor III landed on 20 April 1967, it bounced a couple of times on the descending 12º slope of the south-east flank and its stability was uncertain, so the astronauts were advised not to get downslope of the spacecraft for fear it could slide further when contacted. After the crew returned, it was clear that at some time after landing it had already slid a little bit further in the time since it landed, probably due to a Moonquake or some local disturbance. To access the site the crew had to lope down the crater wall and frequently test their ability to get back up before finally arriving at Surveyor III. The spacecraft was resting 4.3 m below the level of the Lunar Module. Conrad and Bean clipped struts from Surveyor and cut off the TV camera which was returned to Earth for analysis to discover what happens to structures left on the Moon for several years. Given a 30 minute extension to their planned 3.5 hr EVA, the crew were back at Intrepid ahead ABOVE Unbeknown to the crew at the time, when of time and completed their second Moonwalk, The EVA routes for Apollo the Surveyor III parts were returned to Earth a 12’s two Moonwalks. officially terminated at 3 hr 49 min 15 sec. But streptococcus bacteria was discovered growing on there was gold in the prize for all their effort, the apparently sterilised parts. For many years it valuable rocks, soil samples, core tubes and pieces was believed that a technician had inadvertently of a spacecraft which had been on the surface from sneezed in the clean-room depositing bacteria the days when Surveyor was sent as a pathfinder, BELOW on the spacecraft before flight, adding curiosity to test the bearing strength of the soil, test the The passive seismometer as to how the germscopy had developed in the lunar granularity of the surface and take stereoscopic deployed to the surface environment. Several years later it was determined which, along with the other pictures. Surveyor III had been the second instruments, would continue that a less than clean examination of the parts had successful landing in a series of seven in which only to operate until turned off deposited the bacteria after they returned to Earth. two failed to reach the Moon. on 30 September 1977. The remainder of the mission mirrored the sequence flown by its predecessor, with lift-off from the Moon, this time after 31 hrs 31 min 12 sec, rendezvous and docking, the transfer of lunar samples, separation of the Ascent Stage and sailing home after a TEI burn from Yankee Clipper for a total mission duration of 244 hrs 36 min 24 sec. SubscriberThe Apollo 11 crew had returned with 22.1 kg of samples, added to which was 33.8 kg from Apollo 12. Scientists looked forward to even more science on upcoming flights, several of which would place extraordinary demands on the hardware, the spacecraft and their crews. In the aftermath of this highly successful flight, the first lunar conference was held as scientists looked forward to more samples from the forthcoming missions. The pinpoint touchdown of Intrepid cleared the way for landing Apollo 13 at the more challenging site at Fra Mauro, thought to be so important that when Apollo 13 failed to land it was reserved for the next landing, successfully achieved by Apollo 14. By that time the pressure on future flights was becoming so great that Apollos 18 and 19 had been cancelled, significantly reducing the site options. Had it not been for Apollo 12, none of the highly challenging later flights to Descartes, Hadley Apennine and Taurus-Littrow would have been possible, and successfully visited by Apollos 15, 16 and 17, respectively. A fine tribute to Apollo 12 and to the achievements of Conrad, Gordon and Bean. SF

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Had it not been for Apollo 12, none of Subscriberthe highly challenging later flights would have been possible

ABOVE Investigating the Surveyor III spacecraft with Intrepid in the background.

RIGHT The visual evidence of activity at the Apollo 12 site as viewed from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter launched in 2009.

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A matter of risk Faced with the real possibility of death, the Apollo astronauts struggled to get life insurance and so came up with their own cunning self-insurancecopy plan. But what of the more recent risk-takers? by David Todd, Head of Space Content, Seradata Ltd

eil Armstrong, the first human to set foot ABOVE surface of the Moon with a view to selling these after his on the Moon estimated that the Apollo 11 With Virgin return. Galactic preparing mission only had a 50 per cent chance of to send tourists The problem of life insurance for astronauts did a successful landing. However, the quietly into space, where not go away. While insurance was still not taken out, N confident and cool-under-fire astronaut lies the liability? it became an unwritten agreement that NASA would reckonedSubscriber his chance of a safe return was a good deal compensate families in the event that their loved higher. Despite this, few life insurers were willing to ones failed to return. This was tested when the Space offer a low enough rate for the Apollo 11 astronauts to Shuttle STS-51L Challenger blew up during its launch be able to afford it. NASA itself was barred from taking Few life in January 1986. Seven astronauts were aboard and out insurance by law. only one, Christa McAuliffe, actually had proper life While some insurance companies would have given insurers were insurance – and that was only because of an act of the Apollo 11 crew life insurance almost for nothing, generosity when Lloyds of London underwriters, there was a price: they wanted the publicity. For willing to coordinated by the broker Crawley Warren (now Aon), example, according to BeagleStreet.com, the Travelers’ offered her a free US$1 million cover for the mission. Insurance Company, based in Hartford, Connecticut offer a low Sadly, her family got to collect it. offered to insure the Apollo 11 astronauts, with enough rate The failed launch actually did carry some insurance premiums being paid for by the Austral Oil Company but this was more of a manufacturers’ incentives policy and the Cullen Central Bank. The offer appears to have for the Apollo for Morton Thiokol – although the money was, in effect, been politely declined. later used to compensate the families of the crew. One way around this impasse was the ingenious 11 astronauts While the crew, prior to the launch, had waived use of signed and stamped postal covers, which NASA’s liability in the event of an accident, once it the astronauts prepared prior to their mission. The to be able to happened both NASA and Morton Thiokol did the reasoning was that if they did not come back, these decent thing and reportedly made compensation would be valuable and could be sold for the benefit of afford it payments to the families of astronauts Scobee, Onizuka, their families. That pseudo-insurance system continued Jarvis and McCauliffe. This was reportedly worth $7.7 until Apollo 16, the penultimate Moon mission, after million as tax free annuities plus some unspecified extra Apollo 15 astronaut David Scott created a bit of a cash settlements. The relatives of the other astronauts, scandal by taking some of the covers with him to the as well Jarvis’s father, reached separate undisclosed

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settlements with Morton Thiokol believed to be in the order of $2 million each. For the fatal re-entry failure of the Space Shuttle STS- 107 Colombia in February 2001, again there was no official insurance claim for the seven astronauts. None were insured despite requests from two crew members that NASA should arrange this. In the end NASA made a compensation payout to the astronauts’ families totalling $26.6 million, in addition to the military crew’s families receiving their standard in service death compensation of $250,000 each. No insurance loss was claimed for third party re-entry debris damage, but NASA did pay out US$500,000 to third party claimants. That is not to say that no insurance payout was made

LEFT: VIRGIN GALACTIC / RIGHT: SIMIPROF / BELOW: NASA / BELOW: SIMIPROF / RIGHT: GALACTIC VIRGIN LEFT: for this launch-related re-entry failure. A $17.7 million claim was made for the loss of the SpaceHab Research Double Module, which was paid, bizarrely, by the cargo insurance market after the risk was infamously and misleadingly, placed there by wily brokers who knew that the premium rate was much lower than it would ABOVE It is not certain that suborbital spaceflight have been as a properly insured space risk. The astronauts' participants will actually take out space insurance memorial plaque Back to the subject. A few astronauts have taken out at the Kennedy given its likely high cost. For example, a $2 million life their own insurance cover in the past, usually arranged Space Center – a insurance cover at a premium rate of say 5 per cent by their respective space agencies to a value of $2-3 tribute to the would cost $100,000 – about half the cost of the actual million. The Canadian Space Agency is also thought to fallen. ride. However, once a suborbital launch operation have insured its astronauts directly. Nevertheless, most eventually proves itself to be safe and reliable – say after professional astronauts ride into infinity and beyond twenty flights – premium rates would probably fall without formal insurance cover. But will this be the case rapidly. in future, especially once space tourism really underway. By the way, the aviation insurance class, with AIG as the lead underwriter, covered the circa $46 million PRIVATE SPACE hull loss of the SpaceShipTwo, which broke apart during The two remaining suborbital space ride firms Blue a test flight failure in October 2014. The family of the Origin and Virgin Galactic, are planning to offer to deceased co-pilotcopy Michael Alsbury, is thought to have arrange insurance for passengers via the personal been directly compensated by Virgin Galactic. accident insurance market, but participants will have to While some doubt remains about whether suborbital pay the premiums themselves. Of course, they are not space transportation will be a going concern as a “passengers” in the legal sense, having signed away their long term business, orbital and especially lunar space liability claims as part of the deal with the operator. BELOW tourism has a more promising future. Instead they become “participants” in the flight. Space tourist Starting in 2001, “space participant” Dennis Tito Nevertheless, there is some question about whether Dennis Tito (left) travelled to the International Space station (ISS) in such waivers will actually insulate the operator in the with Soyuz low Earth orbit on a commercial contract. Subsequent crewmembers event of loss, as the participants’ families would not during a visit to orbital flights to the ISS were made by space tourists have signed the waiver, and thus could theoretically still the International Mark Shuttleworth, Greg Olsen, Anousheh Ansari, sue Subscriberthe firm. Space Station. Charles Simonyi, Richard Garriot, and Guy Laliberté, some of whom are believed to have taken out insurance. This was often not exactly life insurance (the very rich don’t really need this) but Mark Shuttleworth took out a $10 million launch replacement insurance cover in the event that the docking had not taken place. Orbital space tourism has had a ten-year hiatus, mainly because the retirement of the Space Shuttle meant that NASA needed most of the spare Soyuz seat rides. In June this year the hotel and space entrepreneur Robert Bigelow, announced that his firm had booked seats on SpaceX Falcon 9 launches to transport space tourists to the ISS under a $35,000 a night “hotel room” agreement with NASA. These are likely to start in 2020- 21 with the space tourists being charged $52 million for their launch and return ride. Meanwhile, SpaceX has itself directly booked Japanese clothing billionaire and space aficionado Yusaku Maezawa and his friends for a ride around the Moon via its new Starship/Superbooster combination, probably in 2023 or 2024. Given that orbital space tourism seems set to continue, there is now a genuine need for some form of fairly rated space tourism insurance. SF

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copy WHAT LIES BENEATH? Comprehensive imaging of Europa indicated the presence of subterranean water and blocks which appear to be floating on a subsurface ocean (above). Determinations of measurements at Europa indicate that much of the surface floats on a buried ocean which may contain living organisms (below). Subscriber

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Flights to the Outer Moons While some scientists plan expeditions to the Moon and Mars, others are looking much farther afield, with heavyweight orbiters, landers and helicopters in preparation for funded missions to Europa and Titan. by David Baker

y the mid-2020s, NASA options were developed including and a team of scientists one which involved Europe in a and engineers intent on collaborative mission. In the end exploring the moons of Europe went its own way with B the outer solar system will the planned JUICE mission while launch spacecraft to the Jovian and support for NASA’s Europa Clipper Saturnian systems with dedicated concept accelerated under pressure assignments that are both challenging from Congressional supporters. and timely. It is from these missions The history of the mission’s origin that the search for life in our solar copyis both complex and bound by system may find traction, for there slightly different interests from the are results from both the Galileo scientific, engineering and political and Cassini-Huygens missions lobbyists but suffice to summarise which indicate organic compounds here that under the influence of on selected moons in orbit around Jupiter and Saturn. ABOVE several political advocates in Congress the programme With advances in autonomous control and decision Europa Clipper has taken on a life of its own, driven by science but capabilities, it is now possible to expand the exploration nears its attracted by dedicated interests in expanding the destination as of the outer solar system to a level where a search for envisaged for exploration of the outer solar system. Many researchers biological activity can achieve fruitful results. an encounter in within the planetary community are dissatisfied with But it is a difficult quest and missions now planned the late 2020s or the amount of money and resources committed to are just the start to a comprehensive survey that, in the 2030s, depending the uncrewed exploration of Mars and saw in Europa Subscriberon the selected minds of many planetary scientists, is long overdue launcher. Clipper an opportunity to reset the priorities and as the more popular destinations of the Moon and achieve a more scientifically equitable balance. Mars embrace the more dramatic concept of human While the European Space Agency elected to exploration – and get funds because of that. Ever conduct a mission involving fly-bys of Europa, Callisto mindful of the public attraction of human space flight, and Ganymede, NASA’s pre-approval study focussed and the political advantage in supporting big-ticket on multiple fly-bys of Europa from Jovian orbit which missions to put people back on the lunar surface and would minimise the amount of time the spacecraft on to the Red Planet, NASA is caught between two spent in the harsh radiation environment of the conflicting extremes: the “popularising/politicising” of Europa parent planet. Nevertheless, depending upon the final space exploration and the incredible value that accrues trajectory selected, Europa Clipper could make a close from less dramatic, frequently more enduring, and Clipper could fly-by once every two weeks. much cheaper commitments to sending robotic vehicles NASA and its Congressional supporters anticipate to places humans cannot yet reach. make a close a launch in July 2023 but launch windows are available Accordingly, excited by the remarkable discoveries fly-by once each year from 2022 to 2025. The preferred launch that followed the Voyager missions of the 1970s and vehicle was the Space Launch System (SLS) which 1980s, the Galileo mission to Jupiter in the 1990s every two would have the capability to launch direct to Jupiter and the 2004-2017 Cassini-Huygens mission in the whereas the use of existing commercial contenders Saturnian system, inspired concepts for accessing the weeks would add four or five years, time which would be surface of moons deemed of exceptional scientific utilised in gravity-assist fly-bys. interest – the SSIs of the solar system! Pressure began to build for a focussed reconnaissance of Europa and CLIPPER SHIPS OUT

IMAGES: NASA IMAGES: for a dedicated lander for Titan and a range of different The determination as to mission profile depends

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to a very great extent on the launch vehicle finally selected. Pressure to use the Space Launch System, which is not now expected to make its first flight until early 2021, was strong from some elements in NASA and in Congress. The cost of an SLS launch is estimated at $876 million while a Delta IV Heavy or a Falcon Heavy would cost $450 million. But the much shorter transit time made possible by the more powerful SLS reduces the difference to less than $300 million over the existing launchers. But NASA says that there is no available slot for using an SLS since the Artemis Moon programme will require flights in 2021 and 2022/3 to achieve a human presence on the lunar surface by 2024, as decreed by the White House. It takes 52 months to fabricate and assemble an SLS rocket. To achieve the date mandated by Congress for a July 2023 launch of Europa Clipper would have required manufacture to start more than a year ago. Early decisions regarding the size and mass of the spacecraft had to be set by late 2016 so as to get the contracts out for fabrication of propellant tanks and that figure was set at 2,750 kg and with a calculation based on the largest delta-V budget required for all mission contingencies, the overall wet mass was fixed at 6,001 kg. The remaining mass was divided as to 3,241 kg for the dry mass of the flight system and equipment, and 10 kg for the pressurising helium. With 2,616 kg in the spacecraft, 362 kg is dedicated ABOVE on a committed mission to launch to Titan, also in 2026. to the science instrument with a project manager’s Plumes from While Europa Clipper is defined as a Large Strategic subsurface reserve of 273 kg. expulsions on Science Mission (formerly called a Flagship mission) There has also been contention over the Europa Europa recorded and rates the highest level of funding, the programme Lander, which Congress wanted to fly in 2025. NASA by the Hubble designed to send a probe to the surface of Saturn’s asserts that to make that date a definition phase would Space Telescope. moon Titan is a medium-class,copy New Frontiers mission. have had to begun in early 2019 and that has not yet Formerly selected over the Comet Astrobiology been started because it has not been funded. The Sample Return (CAESAR) mission against which it NASA Office of Inspector General (OIG) has expressed had competed, Dragonfly is designed to investigate the deeply held concerns over the pace demanded by possibility of a microbiological habitat on Titan and as Congress and on the successful bid mounted by former such is extending the search for life to the most distant representative John P. Culberson (R-Texas) who almost place in the solar system to date. single-handedly managed to secure $2.04 billion for To achieve The idea developed at the Applied Physics development of Clipper between 2013 and 2019 versus Laboratory of the Johns Hopkins University in response the $785 million requested by NASA. the date to a community announcement in January 2016 which On 27 August the NASA Inspector General Paul mandated by identified Titan as the next possible New Frontiers Martin wroteSubscriber a letter to the Senate Appropriates mission. New Frontiers missions have a funding limit Committee asking for the agency to be released from Congress for of $850 million not including launch while Discovery the requirement to fly on SLS, asserting that not to do missions are around $450 million, affording sufficient so would incur mission delays and additional costs. a July 2023 scope for a unique attempt at a radical concept in which The letter concluded that “NASA’s renewed focus on a rotorcraft powered by a radioisotope power source returning humans to the Moon on an accelerated launch of could make several landings at a range of locations timetable means that an SLS will not be available to unconstrained by the limitations of a single lander. launch the Clipper mission to Europa before 2025 at the Europa Since early studies of spacecraft concepts for landing earliest”. NASA has already estimated that the Europa on the surface of Titan for sustained observations and Clipper mission will cost $4.25 billion but that up to Clipper would measurements, scientists discovered that Titan probably $1 billion could be saved to both this and the Artemis have required has a sea and this heightened interest in a variable- programme should it be granted that flexibility of choice position examination of the surface. over launch vehicle. manufacture Titan is ideal for rotorcraft because, at 1.47 bar it And it could get more feisty as Congress is now has an atmospheric pressure almost 47% greater than pushing for a Europa Lander for launch in 2026 when to start more Earth and with a surface gravity only one-seventh that the availability of the SLS could be even more difficult to of Earth, the mass/power equation for using the denser schedule in the manifest, already getting crowded with than a year atmosphere from which to obtain lift works in favour the return to the Moon being given the hurry-up and of such a device. The density of the 95% carbon dioxide the lunar Gateway calling for sustained support. ago atmosphere is four times that of the Earth’s atmosphere and its viscosity is approximately three times that of INCOMING DRAGONFLY Earth’s atmosphere due to the low surface temperature And neither does the scheduling for the exploration of of 94º K. But the enablers have been a general industry the outer moons get any easier as in comes Dragonfly and technology advancement in unmanned aerial

34 Vol 61 November 2019 SpaceFlight SOLAR SYSTEM vehicles (what the media infuriatingly refer to as “drones”), miniaturisation of control systems, enhanced micro fly-by-wire mechanisms, nanosensors and greatly enhanced computing power. All this has accelerated dramatically in the 15 years since Cassini Huygens arrived at Saturn. There had been discussion that what emerged as Dragonfly should touch down on one of Titan’s lakes but when the decision was made to land on a solid surface the lander/rotorcraft design was selected. Contained within a hypersonic aeroshell for atmospheric braking, design studies showed a number of iterative options with two rotors being the optimum in an “over-under” octocopter configuration of paired blades at each of the vehicle’s four corners, which does bring some penalties but dynamic advantages. Landing skids would each carry simple acquisition drills with one-degree-of-freedom; a conventional cantilevered arm and drill would be far too heavy and cumbersome. Material thus obtained will be sucked up by a blower and extracted through a cyclone separator for transport to the detectors of a mass spectrometer. Selection of an ideal landing place is coincident to a great degree with the location dynamics of the Huygens probe in 2005 with wind profiles and turbulence familiar from that mission. From previous imaging, sand dunes up to 150 m high may be encountered with averaged slopes of about 5º, which are similar in ABOVE for life were mixed together”, said Curt Niebur, lead (averaged) profile to the Namib sand dunes in southern The dark region programme scientist for New Frontiers at NASA. Those of Titan known Africa where they are spaced at 3-4 km. Under similar as Shangri-La, ingredients are water, organic compounds and energy. dynamic conditions 95% of slopes are less than 6º. Only much observed “We want to get Dragonfly to that crater so we have a a modest degree of terrain variability mitigation would by Cassini and the chance to directly investigate what happened when you be necessary in the autoland system employed. site of Huygens' mix those threecopy things together.” With a lander mass of about 450 kg, and 70 W power touchdown. With a planned launch in 2026, probably on an from a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), Atlas V 411, the selected trajectory should get BELOW this will be a small lander system but considerably Dragonfly follows Dragonfly to Titan by 2034. “One of the great things larger in both mass, size and capability compared to the an autoland about Dragonfly is with the cameras it has looking rotorcraft installed on the Mars 2020 roving vehicle. trajectory to the forward and downward, as Dragonfly is flying over the With good characterisation of the surface and a firm surface, from surface, it’s going to be taking pictures and sending design, the landing site selected for Dragonfly is in a where it makes them back to Earth”, said Niebur. “I think that’s going periodic hops region called Shangri-La near the crater named Selk to visit various to be a tremendous experience for the public, and I which is approximately 80 km in diameter. “We think locations and think everybody’s really going to enjoy it.” No that,Subscriber at Selk Crater, the three ingredients you need conduct sampling. arguments there! SF

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 35 CORRESPONDENCE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Ex libris

Sir: Following your excellent article on Chris experience brought further dynamics in a way Kraft (SpaceFlight Vol 61, No 10, p 24) I words sometimes cannot express, witnessing embarked on a long overdue purchase of his an actual space rocket launch. I made it my book, Flight – My Life In Mission Control. The own mission years later to witness the very Amazon price of a second hand hard cover last Shuttle launch of Atlantis on 8 July 2011 version (noted to be in very good condition) from the Max Brewer Bridge, Titusville, Fl. was £139. Searching around other websites This ended the Space Shuttle era after I found the same book, first printing March hauling the modules and components to 2001, for $24 plus $6 postage, and bought it. facilitate construction of the ISS. During The site explained that this hard cover this last Shuttle launch by chance word got version was rated as (only) in “very good around to the media news crews discovering condition” because there was “some hand I had witnessed the first ever Space Shuttle writing” inside the front cover and on the next launch. I was tracked down by the Channel page. 13 FL news crew to give a short TV interview After receiving the book and on inspecting prior to lift off. It made it a further treasured the hand writing inside the cover page it read: time capsule in my life during such a further Matt, historic event. This was a very exciting period of time. I was 17 Eventually I met one of the Apollo 11 crew, years old and driving my Dad to work when the Buzz Aldrin, at a convention he attended on bulletin came on the car radio that the Russians a visit to Pontefract England. Attaining his had launched a rocket called ‘Sputnik’ into outer autograph and shaking his hand asking him a space. ABOVE question about his mission to the Moon was The book written by There was real fear of the Russians being ahead of the USA Chris Kraft. a surreal experience. In all I have met five astronauts to in technology. date. The first was Michael Gernhardt at a BSAC scuba Chris Kraft was a major player in our space program. conference in Halifaxcopy UK where I took to immersing This book being signed by him gives you a little piece of myself into scuba diving and attaining my sports diver history certificate. It's the closest you can get on Earth to being Love weightless and kitted up not as an astronaut but as an Dad aquanaut, which was the reason why I took up this Overleaf on the first title page was a hand written extreme sport. message: In 2003 I managed to get a half-price ticket to fly Best to Matt Kennedy, Chris Kraft, 5/4/01 on Concorde taking me to an altitude of 18,000 m Some hand writing! and into the ionosphere at the edge of space. Seeing the curvature of the Earth's surface and its tenuous Robert Flunder It's the atmosphere through Concorde's small window, glowing Subscribera deep purple, was breathtaking. closest you Thanks to the first Moon landing I was motivated to Reflections eventually pursue ventures tied in with astronomical can get on fields taking me on quests travelling our planet, Sir: As an 11 year old boy I had both curiosity and witnessing and absorbing man's research interactions intrigue of the Moon and stars. When a frenzy ensued Earth to being at its extremes. Sharing these amazing events and and took hold of the world that three men would make weightless capturing celestial events by imaging and writing for a perilous journey over a 69 hr voyage to Earth’s closest the public domain was meant to be. celestial neighbour, our Moon, and set foot on the lunar and kitted up I decided to visit the Leicester Space Centre surface, I never perceived it would influence my life for (LSC) where three Apollo missions 14, 16, and 17 years to come. not as an are remembered through rock samples on display for On this intrepid mission back in the 1960s I clearly the public to view and scrutinise. This opportunity remember asking my mum and dad "Do you think I will astronaut but made it more special for me as I had many years ago be able to see a rocket launch one day", after running met Charlie Duke in England. Gazing at the display, out on to the back garden and staring at the Moon. This as an it gives a sense of awe. Staring at the lunar samples was immediately after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin aquanaut words cannot describe what these intrepid astronauts gingerly guided their Eagle spacecraft onto the lunar accomplished 50 years ago. surface. It was a point in my life I guess when I was Intriguingly, also at the LSC on exhibition was the gripped by the moment watching a black and white TV space suit donned by Matt Damon in the 2015 film The with the world's human race harmonised together and Martian produced by Ridley Scott. It gave a different embracing the epic accomplishment. dimension and perspective to my visit. Ironically Twelve years later I made my first trip abroad to see the film's story direction is not science fiction, as the first Space Shuttle launch on 12 April 1981. The NASA astronauts and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

36 Vol 61 November 2019 SpaceFlight CORRESPONDENCE

Of mice and men

Sir: With regard to the closing of the Dundee Satellite Receiving Station (SpaceFlight Vol 61, No 5, p 2), I am reminded of the quotation – “Where there is no vision, the people perish” – which seems particularly appropriate in this instance. Norman Macrae, the former “Economist” Editor, in his book “The 2024 Report”, suggests that the passing of the law requiring motor vehicles to be preceded by men carrying red flags marked the end of British industrial supremacy. Even a comparatively minor action may have major repercussions, particularly in an area where there is so much competition, and where we have invested so much already: On another topic, in respect of the consequences of the impact of Apollo, I can recall a speech, by the award-winning American writer, the late Robert A Heinlein, to the American Naval Academy (available on the Web): “Behaving on a still higher moral level were the astronauts who went to the Moon, for their actions tend toward the survival of the entire race of mankind. collaborated with Ridley Scott and amalgamated their ABOVE The door they opened leads to hope that h. sapiens will Michael Knowles specialised fields to achieve as accurate as possible an with the Matt survive indefinitely long, even longer than this solid account of NASA's intentions for a future manned Damon space suit planet on which we stand tonight. As a direct result mission to Mars, making it a reality and not science at the Leicester of what they did, it is now possible that the human Space Centre. fiction but science fact. race will NEVER die. Many short-sighted fools think The space suit on display is not too dissimilar to that going to the Moon was just a stunt. But those ground breaking efforts being made by MIT currently astronauts knew the meaning of what they were doing, researching and testing skin-tight EVA space suit as is shown by Neil Armstrong's first words in stepping concepts that will be more flexible, mobile, and lighter. down onto thecopy soil of Luna: 'One small step for a man, NASA astronauts are intending to evolve away one giant leap for mankind.' Let us note proudly that from gas pressurised space suits using pure oxygen eleven of the Astronaut Corps are graduates of this our and having to do pre-breathe disciplines for over two school. And let me add that James Forrestal was the

LEFT: DAVID BAKER / ABOVE: MICHAEL KNOWLES ABOVE: / BAKER DAVID LEFT: hours. This protocol is so astronauts avoid getting the No matter FIRST high-ranking Federal official to come out flatly bends from nitrogen bubbles in the blood. In turn it for space travel.” will revolutionise the dynamics for EVA procedures what our Talking of the longer-term consequences of enabling less constricting exploration space walks and space-travel, there is the closing passage from George mission tasks. world Bernard Shaw's “Back to Methuselah”, written well Coincidently during this 50th Apollo anniversary before the Apollo programme was ever considered, of NASA is releasing a Moon rock sample to be unsealed problems are course (also available on the Web): andSubscriber examined. It is a deliberate strategy by NASA “Of Life only is there no end; and though of its awaiting for technology to advance and be at a far greater I think this million starry mansions many are empty and many cutting edge of research capabilities. NASA is aiming to still unbuilt, and though its vast domain is as yet return to our Moon by 2024 and use it as a space outpost reminds us all unbearably desert, my seed shall one day fill it and to push for a Mars manned landing in the future. who we are master its matter to its uttermost confines. And for Wandering through the Leicester Space Centre what may be beyond, the eyesight of Lilith is too short. complex with the masses of people passing by of all ages and what we It is enough that there is a beyond.” I asked myself "perhaps one of those people could be A young Arthur C. Clarke was sufficiently aboard a future mission to Mars". are capable of impressed by the passage to offer Shaw membership Humanity is on the eager cusp of returning to our of the recently formed BIS. I trust it remains as Moon again, but this time to stay and extend out deeper when working impressive, now that we have moved a little way into space to Mars. further towards realising the vision. No matter what our world problems are I think this together reminds us all who we are and what we are capable Peter Davey of when working together. I feel no matter how challenging endeavours are in life, just taking a pause to (With regard the Dundee Satellite Research Station reflect on the momentous tasks astronauts accomplish (DSRS), a lot is happening at what is now the Dundee is no different than us emulating that in some way, in Satellite Station Ltd (DSS Ltd) headed by Neil Lonie our own life’s quests, for those who want to reach for (former station manager of DSRS) and Dr. Paul the stars and beyond. Crawford (former Chief Satellite Engineer for DSRS) with Gary McKay as the Research and Development Michael Knowles, Sherwood Observatory, Science Officer (consultant) and John Gardner as the Nottinghamshire Chief Financial Officer (consultant). More anon. Ed)

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 37 REVIEWS

MULTI-MEDIA BAKER DAVID

The latest books, films, TV, models and games for space enthusiasts of all ages

SPACE MODELS Eight wheels on my wagon o far with these pieces, I’ve dealt with scale ABOVE first of the Lunar Roving Vehicles carried to the surface models you can build. This month a slight Lunokhod 1 featured a lid, of the Moon by Apollos 15, 16 and 17. hinged at the rear, the inner deviation, in that the model is already built face of which contained Taking on the appearance of a bathtub with eight and it’s not exactly “scale”, but does have charm solar cells which would, metal wheels, Lunokhod had more than a touch of and is still the contender for the most bizarre when exposed to the Sun, what would be called steam-punk these days, although S produce electrical power. spacecraft ever launched. its somewhat comical look belied its actual worth. It Looking like something Roland Emmett might have was intended to last around three (Earth) months, designed; Lunokhod was the first wheeled spacecraft but it actually ended up working for around a year, on another celestial body, and the first on the Moon. travelling approximately 10.5 km in the process. There were two craft. The first, Lunokhod 1, was It was followed by Lunokhod 2 in 1973, similar BELOW launched as part of Luna 17 on 10 November 1970, The Ogenjek Lunokhod in external appearance, but with more advanced landing on the Mare Imbrium (Sea of Rains) seven with the box, and assembly instrumentation. Carried by Luna 21, this landed in days later. Later than Apollo 11 but earlier than the instructions in Russian. the Le Monnier copyCrater, at the eastern edge of Mare MAT IRVINE MAT Subscriber

38 Vol 61 November 2019 SpaceFlight REVIEWS

GAMER'S CORNER with Henry Philp A Starship Clone Last month I recreated SpaceX’s Starhopper test vehicle in Kerbal Space Program, and discussed its nuances, as well as its implications for the future of space travel. Since I wrote that article, Starhopper performed its last and largest hop, flying an arc 150 m in height. With Starhopper now retired, the baton of Starship development is planned to be passed to Starship Mk 1, a full-scale test article of the spacecraft. Two examples of this prototype are nearing completion at SpaceX’s construction sites in Texas and Florida, with their first flights planned for October this year. For the purposes of this month’s article, I built my own version in KSP, and recreated the 20 km flight that it is planned to make. Once again, I was unable to give my craft a shiny stainless-steel finish like the real thing. I also had very little information on the landing leg design (we only know that the large fins and landing gear have been split into two separate systems) so I had to take liberties in that area. However, utilising robotic parts from the game’s latest expansion, I was able to construct the actuating fins which are planned to be added to the prototype. These fins (sometimes referred to as “flaperons”) will move to control Starship as it sheds 98% of its energy aerodynamically. My KSP Starship Mk 1 has three engines, the same number as the real prototype will have. However, the final craft is planned to have six Raptors, three optimised for sea-level pressure, and three with large vacuum-optimised bell-shaped nozzles. These are all necessary for Starship to one day realise the dream of making humanity a multiplanetary species, and the prototype currently under construction is another step on the road to that goal. Who doesn’t Starship: in KSP (above) and real (inset). want to see a silver three-legged spaceship landing on Mars? I certainly do.

Serenitatis, (Sea of Serenity) on 15 January. Lunokhod batteries required), and is remote controlled, but this 2 worked for less time than its sibling, four months, is via a cable – forget radio control! The controller but covered a much further distance – 37 km, an off- has buttons to make the Lunokhod run forward, back world distance only beaten over 40 years later in July and turn. The “solar cell” lid can also be opened, but 2014, when the total traverse distance logged by Mars this is purely by operating a lever. Although it is not Exploration Rover Opportunity totalled over 40 km. a conventionalcopy scale model, it is reasonably well- Rumours of a model kit of Lunokhod have been proportioned, and measuring the length compared to around for years, especially as one of the main Soviet- the full-size version, it is about 1:10 scale. era model kit companies was Ogonjek, that company ABOVE There is yet to be a conventional injection styrene having made 1:30 scale kits of both Soyuz and Vostok. The battery compartment model kit to be produced, though some attempts A model of Lunokhod therefore would seem a for four C-size cells. have been made to make kits using special materials, reasonable assumption. BELOW including one from Red Iron Models in 1:35 scale. Eventually one did surface, and it was indeed made The name is in Cyrillic on The exact position of Lunokhod 1, and Luna by Ogenjek but it wasn’t a construction kit. It was one side of the tub, and 17, was uncertain for 40 years. Then, using NASA’s Roman on the other. fully assembled and it worked, albeit in a somewhat Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the laser ranging rudimentary fashion! It dates from probably 1984, instruments at Apache Point Observatory in New thoughSubscriber it resembles more a tin-plate toy from the fifties Mexico, its position was pinpointed to within a metre. and certainly exhibits that classic Russian toy look. Lunokhod 2 was less well served. Its exact fate is The central tub and the chassis are indeed metal, but still uncertain, but it is thought it may have jammed everything else is plastic. It is motorised (four C-size itself up against a crater wall where it got covered in Moon dust, or even that it fell into the crater. But wherever it is, Lunokhod 2 has one claim to fame in that it is the only “off world” object now owned by a private individual. In 1993 the Lavochkin Association sold it at Sotheby’s in New York for $68,500. The buyer was computer gaming entrepreneur, sometime space tourist, Richard Garriott, the son of the late NASA astronaut Owen K. Garriott. As with the laser ranging retroreflectors left on the lunar surface by the crews of Apollos 11, 14 and 15, the retroreflectors on Lunokhod 1 still work and to date have contributed major findings regarding the present state of the Moon. Measurements continue to be made from reflected signals to within an accuracy of 2 cm, indicating that the Moon is slowly drifting away and that it has a molten core. These measurements have also provided proof of Einstein's general theory of relativity, that in part the speed of light in a vacuum is independent of the motion of an observer. SF MAT IRVINE MAT

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 39 IMAGES: US ARMY IMAGES:

PRINTED BOOKS

further than material in that initial book to provide First of many what will probably be the definitive history of this remarkable rocketcopy interceptor. he author of this magnificent tome is a A member of the British Interplanetary Society well-known expert on one of the most from 1961, and a Fellow since 1973, Dr Gooden is ambitious projects of the many that a specialist in aerospace medicine and in 1967 he emerged toward the latter half of the became a member of the Space Medicine Branch T Second World War. The Bachem Ba 349 of the Aerospace Medical Association (USA). Natter was a manned, vertically-launched, rocket Obtaining his Bachelor and Masters’ degrees from propelled interceptor which was both ambitious the University of Adelaide, he was awarded his PhD and bizarre, carrying a high-risk design which from the University of Nottingham in the UK. His nevertheless marks the first time a man was Natter: Manned publications included one of the first reviews of the launched on a rocket-propelled device designed to Missile of the Third physiological response of humans to space travel reach extremeSubscriber altitude. Reich with an article in Spaceflight magazine in 1964. It is very difficult to overemphasise the by Brett Gooden Overall, Dr Gooden has spent more than importance of this revolutionary undertaking. Available from Bookworld 25 years studying, research and investigating Developed right at the end of the Second World Wholesalers this aircraft and is single-handedly the most War the Natter is as significant as the first flight of ([email protected]) authoritative source anywhere in the world on the Wright Brothers with their heavier-than-air ISBN 978-0-646-99748-3 this project providing the greatest volume of powered flight of December 1903. The Natter was information known to date about the Natter. And £60 the first project design to carry a man off the surface his research is not wasted, with a monumental of the Earth by rockets alone, in an indirect sense 536 pages work including more than 800 illustrations in its inspiring the proposals for a piloted V-2 and in 552 pages, many of which are in colour. Separated general presaging the era of rocket-launched human into 19 chapters and 133 appendices, the book space flight in 1961. provides copious detail on the origin of the project, Brett Gooden’s first book on this extraordinary on the early design phase, the development of the project (titled Projekt Natter – Last of the Wonder engineering and operational techniques before Weapons) was published by Ian Allan in its describing the ground support equipment and “Classic” series in 2006. With 144 pages and no launch tower. ABOVE longer in print, this highly acclaimed publication is The Natter appeared too With his profound knowledge of physiology and now priced at more than £200 on Amazon.co.uk or late to become operational human reactions to extreme flight environments, almost $500 from AbeBooks.com – one is priced at and only preliminary tests Dr Gooden has much of value to say about the over $1,009! In the intervening period between the were accomplished before medical aspects of the Natter and its flight profile, the end of the war. The nose appearance of his first book and this 2019 definitive section of the Natter could the suit technology (he has also published a book work, the author continued his research and accommodate up to 33 air- on the history of space suits) designed to protect expanded the investigation which has now gone far to-air rockets. the pilot at high altitude flights of up to 800 km/hr.

40 Vol 61 November 2019 SpaceFlight REVIEWS

This adds measurable value to the book since it was specifically this area of research that first triggered an interest in the subject, as he says: “I learnt of the Natter from Martin Caidin’s book Rockets Beyond the Earth which was published initially in the USA by The McBride Company Inc. in 1952 and then in London by Arco Publishers Ltd. in 1955. In 1953 Val Cleaver wrote a review of this book for the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society in which he warned the reader that they could be in for an anti-climax as in his view “…the next generation or two must pass before man can actually hope to land on the Moon…”. “Its significance however was not lost on Kenneth Gatland also a member of the BIS. Ken had written a series of 38 articles under the general heading of “Rocket Propulsion” for Newnes Practical Mechanics beginning in July 1944 and ending in November issue 1947. It is a pity these papers have never been republished as a single volume as they contain much of interest even today. I was fortunate that the State Library of South Australia had a complete series of this magazine still in their vaults in the 1990s covering this period. ABOVE after launch. The nose of the Natter contained a “As I read Ken’s articles covering the A US soldier gives scale to battery of nineteen 55 mm R4M rockets directed the Natter, together with the development of the Natter I began to realise that solid propellant boosters. into massed bomber formations attacking German there was another story behind the superficial view targets and these are comprehensively described. of this machine. Ken’s main article on the Natter was Test activity involved a series of precursor glide published in October 1946 under the title 'Rocket flights with prototypes and with an urgency brought Propulsion. The Ba. 349 Natter'. One sentence about by the success of Allied occupation forces stood out for me: ‘The course of the bomber was closing in on Germany, a pilotless test flight was to be checked by a standard radar predictor, and mounted on 25 February 1945 with a parachute the setting passed direct to the autopilot in the recovery ofcopy the dummy pilot and the descent of interceptor through an electrical link broken at the the main frame of the Natter on its own two large instant of take-off.’ parachutes. In the main the first flight was a success, “This one sentence written in 1946 put a marred only by the destruction of the Walter rocket whole new perspective on the Natter for me. The motor when uncombusted propellants exploded inescapable fact was that there was a whole world As a history in its on contact with the ground. On 1 March Luftwaffe of science and technology going on behind the pilot Lothar Lieber made the first manned launch scenes in relation to the Natter project. How could I own right it is a attempt but was killed when the vehicle pitched discover what was really going on? over and nose-dived into the ground from a height “It has now become quite clear that the compelling read; of less than 150 m, killing the pilot. British and the American authorities had decided as a detailed Detailed description of these tests and several shortlySubscriber after the war ended and Natters had been others are skilfully analysed by Dr Gooden in a discovered that any information about the true comprehensive history that deserves recognition for nature of this machine were to be classified as record of one of scholarship and for the highly readable, narrative Secret and anyone who had any knowledge of the the world’s most and technical story of this remarkable project. Far programme was to be directed not to divulge that ahead of its time – the Natter was equipped with information. remarkable a telemetry system for monitoring every stage “This strict classification has meant that many of a flight – this is a story which benefits greatly documents that I have sought are not to be found projects, it is a from the skills of the author, satisfying a lifelong in public archives and those documents that are fascination with rocket flight and the challenges available have clearly been redacted in relation major work of to the human ambition for flights into and beyond to the most interesting and advanced technical Earth’s atmosphere. facts about the project. Nevertheless, with the outstanding value It is difficult to find complaint with this book: its unwavering support of my colleagues around the production is masterful, with a strong binding, world the fascinating true story of the Natter and its good quality paper and high quality of advanced technology can finally be told.” reproduction, a place ribbon and a beautiful colour Another appealing aspect of the book is the illustration on the dust jacket. As a history in its manner in which the subject is divided into key own right it is a compelling read; as a detailed technology zones, not least the propulsion. The record of one of the world’s most remarkable Natter was powered by a single Walter 109-509 with projects, it is a major work of outstanding value. It is a thrust of 11.2 kN of the type used in the swept- impossible to lay claim to any work being the wing Me 163 rocket propelled interceptor, with definitive story of its subject but this comes closer four solid propellant Schmidding SG34 motors, than any other book reviewed on these pages. SF each with a thrust of 4.9 kN, jettisoned 10 sec David Baker

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 41 SATELLITE DIGEST Satellite Digest 562 Satellite Digest is SpaceFlight’s regular listing of world space launches using orbital data from the United States Strategic Command space-track.org website. Compiled by Geoff Richards

Spacecraft International Date Launch Launch vehicle Mass Orbital Inclin.  Period Perigee Apogee Notes designation site (kg) epoch (deg) (min) (km) (km) Kosmos 2539 2019-048A Aug 5.91 Baykonur Proton-M-Briz-M 3,124 Sep 5.94 0.01 1,436.03 35,784 35,790 [1] EDRS-C 2019-049A Aug 6.81 CSG Ariane-5ECA 3,186 Aug 25.87 0.09 1,436.01 35,784 35,789 [2] Intelsat 39 2019-049B 6,600 Aug 30.67 0.05 1,436.02 35,780 35,793 [3] AMOS 17 2019-050A Aug 6.97 ETR Falcon 9FT 5,500 Aug 19.91 0.17 1,436.03 35,782 35,791 [4] AEHF 5 2019-051A Aug 8.43 ETR Atlas V 551 6,168 Aug 9.07 9.99 914.14 14,365 35,286 [5] TDO 2019-051B 15? Aug 28.50 26.26 621.08 214 35,279 [6] Qiansheng 1-01 2019-052A Aug 17.17 Jiuquan Jielong 1 65 Aug 18.90 97.61 95.52 532 559 [7] Xingshidai 5 2019-052B 20? Aug 17.88 97.61 95.49 529 559 [8] Tianqi 2 2019-052C 10? Aug 17.65 97.61 95.50 529 560 [9] Zhongxing 18 2019-053A Aug 19.50 Xichang Chang Zheng 3B 5,200? Aug 20.80 28.40 631.09 224 35,785 [10] BRO 1 2019-054A Aug 19.51 Mahia Electron 6 Aug 26.77 45.02 95.35 533 550 [11] Pearl White 1 2019-054C 6? Aug 19.89 45.01 95.37 534 550 [12] Pearl White 2 2019-054D 6? Aug 19.55 45.02 95.35 532 550 [12] Global 4 2019-054E 56 Aug 20.79 45.01 95.40 537 550 [13] Soyuz MS-14 2019-055A Aug 22.15 Baykonur Soyuz-2.1a 7,220? Aug 28.41 copy51.65 92.78 410 421 [14] Navstar 75 2019-056A Aug 22.55 ETR Delta-4M+(4,2) 3,705 Sep 4.61 55.03 718.20 20,185 20,193 [15] Nahid 1 Aug 29 Semnan Safir 1B 50 Pad accident [16] Kosmos 2540 2018-057A Aug 30.58 Plesetsk Rokot-Briz-KM 900 Aug 30.81 99.27 104.06 946 959 [17] Wei Zhongli JSW 2019-058A Aug 30.99 Jiuquan Kuaizhou 1A 100? Aug 31.11 97.79 96.68 582 621 [18] Xiaoxiang 1-07 2019-058B 10? Aug 31.11 97.78 96.65 592 608 [19] NOTESSubscriber 1. Blagovest (14L) communications satellite built using an stationed over 13.8°E for test and is to be located at 17°E to provide a Ekspress-2000 bus by ISS Reshetnev for MORF. Stationed over 45°E service to Africa, the Middle East, Europe, China and India. for test and will be used for communications, including Internet service, to Russian military users. 5. Advanced Extremely High Frequency SV-5, or USA 292, is a military telecommunications satellite using a Lockheed-Martin A2100M bus, 2. European Data Relay System communications satellite built using launched for the USAF by ULA. Mass quoted above is at launch. OHB Systems SmallGEO bus and launched by Arianespace for Manoeuvres to operational geostationary orbit involve electric Airbus DS and ESA carrying a laser communications terminal and propulsion system and will take three months. Ka-band link for communications with satellites and the hosted HYLAS 3 payload for Avanti Communications to provide broadband 6. TDO, or EZ-1, technology development 12U Cubesat for USAF with Internet service to Africa and the Middle East. Mass quoted above systems to track orbital debris. is at launch. The satellite is located over 21.3°E for test and will be 7. Qiansheng is a survey satellite built by Qiansheng Exploration stationed at 31°E. Technology Co. carrying a high-resolution scanner for Earth imaging. 3. Intelsat 39 telecommunications satellite built by Maxar using Completed testing August 31. First launch by ChinaRocket Co., a an SSL 1300 bus for Intelsat. Mass quoted above is at launch. commercial subsidiary of CALT, of new Jielong 1 or Smart Dragon Satellite is located over 55.3°E for test and will be stationed over (SD-1) vehicle with four solid stages, apparently based on a missile. 62°E, replacing Intelsat 902, for high-throughput service including It is not currently clear which payload corresponds to which object. broadband Internet and direct TV broadcast to Africa, Asia, Europe, 8. Xingshidai 5, also called Weina 1-02 and Sanxingdui after the the Middle East and Indian Ocean region. archaeological site, is an Earth survey satellite built by Micro-NST 4. Telecommunications and direct broadcast satellite built using a using an MN10 bus for ADASpace and University of Electronic Boeing 702MP bus, launched by SpaceX for Spacecom to replace Science and Technology (UESTC) carrying a camera for Earth the failed AMOS 5. Mass quoted above is at launch. The satellite is imaging and systems using AI technology.

42 Vol 61 November 2019 SpaceFlight SATELLITE DIGEST

copy

EDRS-C in Airbus’s Compact Antenna Test Range facility prior to launch on 6 August.

9. Tianqi 2 communications technology 3U Cubesat built by Guodian 15. Also called USA 293 and Magellan, improved Navstar Block 3 Hi-Tech with a transponder for IoT data acquisition and a camera for satellite (SV-2, SVN-75) in the Global Positioning System, built by educational imaging. Lockheed Martin and launched by ULA. Mass quoted above is at 10. ZhongxingSubscriber 18 is a direct broadcasting and telecommunications launch. Launched into orbital plane D of the GPS constellation and satellite, built by CAST for China Satcom using new DFH-4E bus. currently in slow drift orbit. Mass estimated above is at launch. Developed a problem following 16. Nahid (Venus) experimental communications satellite built by separation from final stage. The satellite was to be located over the Iranian Space Research Centre carrying a transponder for 115.5°E for high-throughput service to China including mobile users. communications. Vehicle apparently caught fire and exploded 11. Breizh (Brittany) Recon Orbiter is a signals intelligence 6U Cubesat during launch preparations, but payload was possibly not installed built by GOMSpace for UnseenLabs and launched by Rocket Lab at the time. carrying a wideband radio receiver for signals from maritime traffic. 17. Geo-IK-2 or Musson 2 (13L) is a dual civil/military geodesy satellite 12. Pearl White are two technology development 6U Cubesats built built using a Uragan-M bus by ISS Reshetnev for MORF. Payload by Tiger Innovations for USAF, each carrying propulsion, power, includes a Sadko 2 radar altimeter, precision radio tracking systems, communications, and drag producing systems for performance test. GPS and GLONASS receivers and laser retroreflectors. 13. Global 4 is an Earth survey satellite built by Spaceflight Services 18. Wei Zhongli Jishu Shiyan Weixing, or Microgravity Technology for BlackSky Global carrying an SV-24 0.24 m telescope and high- Experiment Satellite, also known as KX-09 (Kexue or Scientific), is a resolution colour scanner for Earth imaging. satellite built by IAMCAS for CAS and launched by ExPace carrying 14. Spacecraft launched to the International Space Station, systems for precision measurement and control of disturbance, mission ISS-60S, without crew but with Skybot F-850, or FEDOR, deformation, attitude and drag for performance test and an electric anthropomorphic robot and 686 kg of supplies. Test of updated orbit control system. It is not currently clear which payload systems including compatibility of launch abort system with Soyuz corresponds to which object. 2.1a. Docking with ISS/Poisk port failed August 24 due to Poisk 19. Xiaoxiang 1-07, also known as Tianyi 8, is a technology development equipment failure. Following Soyuz MS-13 relocation, docked at Cubesat built by SpaceTy carrying a receiver to monitor air traffic ISS/Zvezda port August 27.13. and a solar sail deployment system for performance test.

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 43 SATELLITE DIGEST

ADDITIONS AND UPDATES DESIGNATION COMMENTS DESIGNATION COMMENTS 1997-076A ASTRA 1G was manoeuvred off station at 57.2°E Aug 13.47 51.64° 94.05 min 470 km 485 km August 6 and was relocated at 63.3°E August 18. NARSScube 2 2019-022H 2002-007A Intelsat 904 was relocated at 29.5°W, co-located with Aug 13.60 51.64° 94.05 min 470 km 485 km Intelsat 901, August 31. Aerocube 10 Probe 1 2019-022J 2005-012A APSTAR 6 was relocated at 163°E August 7. Aug 29.62 51.64° 94.07 min 472 km 485 km 2006-062B Kosmos 2426 (Uragan-M 717) was withdrawn from service for maintenance August 1. 1998-067QJ RED-EYE is now named Pinot. 2007-007A Insat 4B was manoeuvred off station at 111°E August 2019-029AE Starlink 72 has halted drift and returned to operational 19 and is drifting to the west. orbit. Starlinks are numbered, from 2019-029A to 2011-053A Kosmos 2474 (Uragan-M 742) was withdrawn from 029BM in order, 31, 22-30, 21, 46, 33-34, 61, 36-37, 71, service for maintenance August 26. 39, 32, 66, 42-43, 40, 52, 45, 44, 49, 72, 35, 63, 54, 69, 55, 57-59, 51, 60, 62, 64-65, 41, 67-68, 38, 70, 80, 56, 73, 50, 2013-062A Raduga-1M (13L) was manoeuvred off station at 70°E 75-76, 79, 48, 78, 77, 81, 74 and 73. August 10 and was relocated at 35°E August 27. 2019-033A-C RCM satellites have manoeuvred to phase themselves 2014-058A Luch (Olimp-K) was manoeuvred off station at 64°E equally around the operational orbit. Add orbits. August 20 and was relocated at 65.9°E August 24. Aug 10.16 97.77° 96.44 min 588 km 592 km 2015-041A GSAT 6 was manoeuvred off station at 83°E August 9 and was relocated at 82.1°E August 17. Jul 25.97 97.77° 96.44 min 588 km 592 km 2017-014A EchoStar 23 was relocated at 67.9°W August 18. Aug 2.10 97.76° 96.44 min 588 km 592 km 2017-082B Tsubame completed its fifth period of using ion 2019-036L FormoSat 7-1 has apparently manoeuvred to its thrusters to counter drag August 28. operational orbit. Add orbit: 2018-065A Parker Solar Probe carried out its third solar Aug 27.16 24.00° 95.38 min 536 km 554 km encounter August 16 to September 20. 2019-037 Painani 1 is object 2019-037A and Acrux 1 is confirmed 2018-079A AEHF 4 (USA 288) was manoeuvred off station at 94°W as 037E. August 8 and is drifting to the west. 2019-038 VDNKh-80 is now identified as 2019-038E, Exoconnect 2019-007B GSAT 31 was relocated at 83°E, co-located with Insat as 038AA, CarboNIX as 038AD and Sokrat as 038AE. 4A, GSAT 10 and GSAT 12, August 30. LightSat and AmurSat are confirmed. 2019-022 Roger Chaffee Cygnus freighter was unberthed 2019-041A Soyuz MS-13 crewedcopy by Skvortsov, Parmitano and from ISS/Unity on August 6.56 using the ISS arm and Morgan undocked from the ISS/Zvezda port August released August 6.68. It then manoeuvred to a higher 26.15 and redocked at the ISS/Poisk port August 26.17. orbit. SlingShot deployer attached to hatch was used 2019-042A Chandrayaan 2 entered Lunar orbit August 20.15. Initial to release RFTSat (ELaNa 27), NARSScube 2, Quantum orbit was from 114 to 18,072 km, inclination 88.7°, Radar 3 and ORCA about August 7. Aerocube 10A period 1,674 min. Orbit lowered in four manoeuvres, and 10B, also known as JimSat and DougSat, were reaching 119 to 127 km, period 120 min by September 1. released August 7.54 from NRCSD-E deployers. First drag target, also named AC 10 Probe and Venturini, 2019-044A Dragon CRS 18 was unberthed from ISS/Harmony on ejected from Aerocube 10A about August 29. Add August 27.52 using the ISS arm and released August objects and orbits: 27.62. Spacecraft was de-orbited August 27.81. Landed in the Pacific Ocean about 350 km from the coast of Aerocube 10B 2019-022C California August 27.85. SubscriberAug 14.98 51.64° 94.07 min 472 km 484 km 2019-045A-C Yaogan 30-05 group have manoeuvred to phase Aerocube 10A 2019-022D themselves equally around the operational orbit. Add orbits. Aug 10.08 51.64° 94.07 min 472 km 485 km Aug 14.07 34.98° 96.52 min 596 km 602 km ORCA 2019-022E Aug 11.23 35.00° 96.52 min 592 km 606 km Aug 13.60 51.64° 94.06 min 470 km 485 km Quantum Radar 3 2019-022F Aug 11.07 35.00° 96.52 min 597 km 602 km Aug 13.47 51.64° 94.05 min 470 km 485 km 2019-046A Meridian 8 has reached its operational orbit. Add orbit: RFTSat 2019-022G Aug 19.58 62.79° 717.45 min 990 km 39,364 km

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ACTIVITY RECENTLY DETAILED ORBITAL DECAYS International Object name Decay There was the following orbital two-burn manoeuvre of ISS during Designation August, boosted by Progress MS-12. 1977-032A Molniya 3 (19L) Aug 8.14 Pre-manoeuvre orbit: Aug 15.39 51.64° 92.74 min 410 km 418 km 2019-036AA Oculus-ASR Sphere 1 Aug 10 Post-manoeuvre orbit: Aug 15.52 51.64° 92.79 min 411 km 421 km 2019-043A Bei Ligong 1B Aug 6 End-of-August orbital data: 2019-044A Dragon CRS 18 Aug 27.85 Aug 31.78 51.65° 92.78 min 410 km 421 km

44 Vol 61 November 2019 SpaceFlight copy Subscriber SLUGSOCIETY NEWS

UK Space Agency head of science programmes, Chris Lee, provides an overview of UK space science programmes. SCIENCE IN SPACE…copy The UK Space Agency's Chris Lee casts a space scientist's eye over the Solar System. THE BIS HOSTED AN EVENING lecture by Chris produce world-class science from space, helping to Lee, the Chief Scientist and head of Science showcase British technological expertise, and builds Programmes for the UK Space Agency on 11 international relationships. September with an event supported by a packed Chris then told us of a number of scientific Subscriberaudience. missions in which UKSA has involvement, such as Chris began by introducing himself and telling us GAIA, the space observatory to measure the something of his background. He has been in the positions, distances and motions of stars with a level space business for forty years, he is an enthusiastic of precision never seen before and the BepiColombo amateur astronomer and set up the Bristol Branch of Mercury orbiter propelled by British ion engines the BIS! Chris graduated with a Master’s degree in developed by Qinetiq and with a UK-built imaging Space Science in 1980 from the University of X-Ray spectrometer. Leicester, before working on such programmes as He included projects with UK participation such as the Hubble Space Telescope, Giotto, Envisat, the Jupiter probe JUICE, intended to concentrate on telecommunications and navigation satellites, Beagle Ganymede as a possible abode of life, the James 2 and Exomars. Chris helped set up the British Webb Space Telescope, successor to Hubble, Euclid, National Space Centre, predecessor to UKSA, and he which will map the “Dark Matter” universe, SMILE, has been with the UK Space Agency since 2014, and which will investigate the solar wind and the PLATO in his present position since February 2018. and ARIEL exoplanet searchers. Future possibilities Chris said that we are in a golden age of European include a Comet Interceptor mission, and a “gravity- Space Science with nearly every European scientific assist” mission to the “ice giants”, Uranus and mission now carrying instruments made in Britain. Neptune. He pointed out that it is obligatory, in the European Chris Lee’s lecture gave us an insight into the Space Agency of which the UK is a member, to organisation of science missions and the major role participate in science programmes in order to get that Britain takes in space science. As always, Chris access to the other parts of ESA’s work, with the Lee’s talk will be available on the members’ portal at contribution made by each nation proportional to its the BIS website (www.bis-space.com). SF fiscal contribution to the ESA budget. Britain helps Griffith J. Ingram

46 Vol 61 November 2019 SpaceFlight S0CIETY NEWS DESERVING WINNERS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF APOLLO 11 in July was a special occasion for so many people young and old. For those who were either too young to remember or were not around at the time, it proved a topical event in which to bring their own creative talents to bear for the future exploration of the Moon. SpaceFlight Editor David Baker was at the street event in Henley-on-Thames on the evening of 20 July to host-share an event which brought both groups together. It was also a fitting occasion in which to mark the work conducted by pupils at the local Gillotts School on a project looking to the future exploration of our nearest celestial neighbour. Accompanied by their head teacher, Catherine Darnton, it was there that the three winners of the school competition (right) received prizes in the form of space books from Haynes Publishing, presented by David representing the British Interplanetary Society. From left to right, Sonia Sonawala, Ella Wood, Catherine Darnton and George Fearnehough. Congratulations to all three and to the school for organising such a successful activity. SF MAKERS FOR SPACE!

THE 2019 EDITION of Maker Faire Rome, 18-20 October will once again host a large section orientated toward the aerospace sector. “Makers for Space – the New Space Economy” includes LEFT: GEIR ENGENE / ABOVE RIGHT: STEVEN SMYTH STEVEN RIGHT: ABOVE GEIR ENGENE / LEFT: proposals from research laboratories and universities, along with ideas from small companies and private individuals who wish to contribute creatively to the development of this fast-growing sector. copyMakers for Space is being energetically supported by Fabrizio Bernardini and his team from BIS-Italia, who have already been responsible for a series of outstanding space-related exhibitions in Italy and throughout Europe. Particular attention will be given to Italian space activity, …and in London's Docklands specifically its launch and satellite technologies for telecommunications IT’S THE LAST CALL to get publications. astronauts-in-waiting can pit Subscriber and remote sensing, which will be your entry in for the 2019 This year, 50 years on their skills against the highlighted in demonstrations and World Space Week (WSW), from the first Moon landing Russian docking equipment. educational presentations. an event also celebrated at by humans, a range of Vix Southgate’s “Dogs in As in 2018, a section of the Makers New Scientist Live held events and activities will Space” and her “Yuri for Space area will also be dedicated 10-13 October at the ExCel remember that as well as Gagarin” books will be on to the Human Exploration of Mars centre in London where the need generally to sale and for signing. On the – in particular, the role of Makers in Apollo 15 astronaut Al stimulate the use of space Friday and the Saturday, Al conceptualising the first permanent Worden will be on the BIS for the betterment of life on Worden will have a fireside- settlements on the Red Planet. This stand at least once every Earth. This is a flagship chat with Jon Spooner in BIS-organised exhibit will review day to sign copies of his message from the BIS and which anything can happen! Mars exploration projects of the past, book “Falling to Earth”. An is reflected in support for But WSW involves you, and the development of new event where you are likely this seminal event, one of wherever in the world you initiatives planned for the future. SF to rub shoulders with the most important on the live, and for residents of the anyone and everyone of any UK space calendar and a UK it is certainly not too late significance in the past and classic WSW landmark. to register events at www. present space arena! The BIS stand (No 250 in worldspaceweek.org – just Included will be prominent the Cosmos Zone) will follow the instructions. But BIS figures to answer all include Dallas Campbell’s just don’t miss New your questions and bring replica Apollo space suit, Scientist Live where a wide you up to date with the the Soyuz simulator – range of astronautical latest revisions and always a firm favourite and events, presentations, talks upgrades to our a big attraction where and displays are featured. SF

SpaceFlight Vol 61 November 2019 47 SOCIETY NEWS

BIS LECTURES & MEETINGS MEMBERSHIP NEWS

SPACE DAY 5 October 2019 A WORTHWHILE LEGACY VENUE: The Hive, Sawmill Walk, The Butts, Worcester WR1 3PD The UK’s largest FREE World Space Week event – 41 Leave a gift to the BIS in your will exhibitors and activities for all the family. Organised by our West Midlands branch. No need to register – just turn up on the day. A PLANETARY TOUR 30 October 7.00pm VENUE: BIS, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1SZ With David Angus, planetary modeller. David loves following the exploration of planets and moons in this solar system and asking the question: what might other worlds be like in this part of the galaxy? David has imagined and modelled a number of them and is keen to discuss them and his modelling methods. BIS WEST MIDLANDS TALKS 9 November 1.45 to 4.30pm VENUE: The Gardeners Arms, Vines Lane, Droitwich, Worcester- shire, WR9 8LU Stuart Eves on Satellite Anatomy and Don Fossey on SHUTTERSTOCK Composite Rocket Propellants. Have you thought about leaving a legacy to the BIS in your will? APOLLO 12 – A PINPOINT LANDING Your donation could provide much needed funds to help the 20 November 7.00pm Society in its charitable objective and mission: VENUE: BIS, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1SZ The British Interplanetary Society promotes the exploration and use of Following the triumph of the first manned landing on the space for the benefit of humanity, by connecting people to create, educate Moon, the next mission had a more specific goal – to and inspire, and advance knowledge in all aspects of astronautics. recover parts of the unmanned Surveyor 3 which copy landed on the Moon in April 1967. Your generosity will contribute to the pioneering work of the Society, which, founded in 1933, is the longest-established organisation solely ASTRONAUTS IN IMPOSSIBLE LOCATIONS devoted to promoting astronautics and space exploration. 27 November 9.30am to 5.30pm (TBD) Any amount, large or small, will ensure the BIS is able to continue its VENUE: BIS, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1SZ important work well into the future. The Society is funded almost This one-day symposium is designed to explore the entirely by our Members, and legacies make a vital difference limits of where human exploration can go in the solar contribution to our ability to operate effectively. system and how to overcome the challenges involved. If you are a Member or Fellow and feel that the Society matters to you, WORLD OF THE FUTURE please consider us in your will. We would be very grateful. 12 December 2019 7.00pm A gift to the Society may also help to reduce the inheritance tax on your Subscriberestate. Inheritance Tax is only due if your estate (including any assets VENUE: BIS, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1SZ held in trust and gifts made within seven years of death) is valued over Yesterday’s tomorrows, as envisaged by Ken Gatland the current Inheritance Tax threshold of £325,000. and David Jefferis. Education author David Jefferis gives an illustrated talk on the World of the Future, Tax is payable at 40 per cent on the amount over this threshold, but at three books he created with BIS President, the late only 36 per cent if the estate qualifies for a reduced rate as a result of a Kenneth W. Gatland 40 years ago. larger than 10% charitable donation. All charitable gifts (including gifts in wills to the Society) are exempt of inheritance tax. For more information visit www.hmrc.gov.uk and NEW MEMBERS consult your solicitor. There is no need to tell us if you decide to include the BIS in your will, A total of 13 new members last month: 10 from the but you are very welcome to contact us to discuss it. We would also like UK, 1 from the USA, 1 from the Netherlands and 1 to have the opportunity to thank you for your generous gift. from Australia. A warm welcome to you all! If you have any questions, please contact us on 020 7735 3160, email us at [email protected], or write to us at the address below. AN APOLOGY OR TWO Thank you. The Editor would like to apologise to Geir Engene for having incorrectly credited Alistair Scott with the images of the Gerry Webb BIS Apollo 11 celebration at its London headquarters in the October issue of SpaceFlight (Vol 61, No 10, p 44-45). Also, President, The British Interplanetary Society to Linda Waite who contributed the pictures of the Potteries Sir Arthur C Clarke House Museum and Art Gallery in the same issue (p 47). 27/29 South Lambeth Road London SW8 1SZ Registered Charity Number 250556

48 Vol 61 November 2019 SpaceFlight copy Subscriber copy Subscriber