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A British Interplanetary Society Publication Health risks!

Peake interview

BRICS for space

UK Thor sites

Vol 58 No 9 September 2016 £4.50

www.bis-space.com

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322 Spaceflight Vol 58 August 2016

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Editor: Published by the British Interplanetary Society David Baker, PhD, BSc, FBIS, FRHS Sub-editor: Volume 58 No. 9 September 2016 Ann Page Production Assistant: Ben Jones 331-333 The RAF’s Thor Sites Spaceflight Promotion: John Boyes follows up his latest book on the British deployment of Gillian Norman the Thor missile with a summary of the choices available supporting a Spaceflight deployment which was at best a short-lived political move. Arthur C. Clarke House, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ, England. 334-335 ESA head aims for innovation Tel: +44 (0)20 7735 3160 David Todd interviewed ESA Director- Johann-Dietrich Woerner Fax: +44 (0)20 7582 7167 to seek his views on a range of critical issues as a challenging period Email: [email protected] ahead brings questions concerning direction and future policy. www.bis-space.com ADVERTISING 336-341 Humans in Space and Chemical Risks to Health Tel: +44 (0)1424 883401 Email: [email protected] A government expert on health issues, Dr John R. Cain explores the many ways in which future space explorers should manage health risk DISTRIBUTION Spaceflight may be received worldwide by and about the chemical cocktails that could threaten life. mail through membership of the British Interplanetary Society. Details including Library 342-343 Peake reflections subscriptions are available from the above address. On returning to after his historic six-months in space between December 2015 and June 2016, UK Tim Peake speaks about * * * his memorable stay aboard the ISS. Spaceflight is obtainable from UK newsagents and other retail outlets in many countries. In the event of difficulty contact: Warners 344-347 BRICS in Space Group Distribution, The Maltings, Manor Lane, Spaceflight contributor Gurbir Singh reports on a unique and progressive Bourne, PE10 9PH, England. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391 000 organisation which brings together a group of space-faring countries Fax: +44 (0)1778 393 668 to pool assets for civilian applications and asks whether this could be a * * * model for the future. Spaceflight is a publication which promotes the mission of The British Interplanetary Society. Opinions in signed articles are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or the Council of the British Regular Features Interplanetary Society. 324-326 News Analysis – JUNO at * * * Back issues of Spaceflight are available from the Society. For details of issues and prices go 326 A Letter from the Editor to www.bis-space.com or send an sae to the address at top. 327 Briefing notes – news shorts from around the world * * * Published monthly by the British Interplanetary 328-330 ISS Report – 15 June-16 July 2016 Society. Registered Company No: 402498. Registered Charity No: 250556. Printed in the UK by Latimer Trend & Company Ltd. 348-350 Digest – 524 June 2016 * * * Copyright © British Interplanetary Society 351 Obituaries – Hartmut Sänger – Harry Oskar Ruppe – Hervé Moulin 2016 ISSN 0038-6340. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced 352-353 Flashback – A regular feature looking back 50 years ago this month or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo- copying or recording by any information storage 354-355 Correspondence – Planes – An appreciation – For humanity – Site or retrieval system without written permission survey from the Publishers. Photocopying permitted by license only. * * * 356 Society News – With gratitude The British Interplanetary Society is a company limited by guarantee. 358 What’s On

Mission The British Interplanetary Society promotes the exploration and use of space for the benefit of humanity, by connecting people to create, Cover image: NASA astronaut Michael Fincke wears a Russian Orlan during a spacewalk in educate and inspire, and advance knowledge in August 2004. Exploring space will bringing hazards completely different to anything experienced before all aspects of astronautics. (see pages 336-341). NASA

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323.indd 323 7/28/2016 9:06:40 AM news analysis Juno at Jupiter

The spin-stabilised Juno is 3.5 m high and 3.5 m in diameter and at launch weighed 3,625 kg including 2,032 kg of propellant. NASA-JPL

ASA’s Juno spacecraft arrived at gases that existed almost 5 billion years ago. trajectory, courtesy of a United Launch Alliance Jupiter on 4 July after a journey of Moreover, the physical characteristics of Atlas V-551 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Juno 2,800 million km to begin a lengthy Jupiter are close to those which would have is named after the Roman god of protection Nperiod of scientific discoveries. To carry this been prevalent at the beginning of the Sun’s and wise counsel. Which is appropriate since out Juno is unique in several respects and is evolution and it is this characterisation which wise planning was needed to get up close the first polar-orbiting planetary spacecraft. Juno seeks to explore. to the planet itself due to intense toroidal Its mission builds upon the results of previous Jupiter itself as a body within the solar radiation belts surrounding Jupiter, radiation flights and Juno is the first of three spacecraft system has been vital for the survival and which would fry an unprotected spacecraft scheduled to arrive at Jupiter over the next two evolution of terrestrial planets which formed flying straight through the main belt. decades. closer in to the Sun. Recalculation of the The only real data that trajectory planners It is already 21 years since the Galileo planet’s indicates that it probably formed had to go on to ameliorate the situation was from spacecraft entered orbit about the solar where it is today, influencing, pulling and telescopes on the ground and from data sent system’s biggest planet and spent eight years tugging at the other outer giants and playing a back by the probe released returning a wealth of data. Answering some major role in the overall geometry of the solar from Galileo. This presented a realistic, if long-standing questions raised from the fly- system. Accounting for 71% of the mass in daunting perspective on the challenges posed bys of Pioneers 10 and 11 and Voyagers 1 and the solar system outside the Sun, Jupiter has by mission requirements to get close in to the 2 during the 1970s, Galileo raised far more always been the dominant planetary body. planet. However, Jupiter’s radiation belts are questions than it solved during its 35 of Jupiter is likely to have formed quickly, like the Van Allen belts surrounding Earth, in Jupiter. taking probably less than a million years for that there are gaps within separate toroidal The productive operating life of Galileo, the planet to accrete its core, which accounts shells formed by the magnetic field lines. And the first spacecraft to orbit the giant planet, for 20% of its mass, with icy particles cold- therein lies the solution. ended in September 2003 when the spacecraft welding together far from the Sun over time. The preferred trajectory for Juno was to have plunged into the atmosphere. Now, a second By contrast, terrestrial planets forming in the the spacecraft approach the planet over one spacecraft – Juno – has arrived at Jupiter to warmer region of the solar system accreted of its two poles, similar to the flight path flown begin a protracted survey of the planet with through the electrical forces of opposing by the NASA/ESA Ulysses solar-polar mission a battery of scientific instruments defined by magnetic polarity and grew small gravity-wells, launched in 1994. By entering a polar orbit Juno the information from previous fly-bys and from agglomerations which increased in size and would reach perijove (the closest approach to Galileo. which stuck together. Jupiter) over the polar cusp of the torus shaping The motivation for Juno was a desire to It is to decipher the precise nature of these these belts, receiving much less radiation better understand the physics of the solar events and to measure the properties and exposure than if it had entered a path with a system as it pertains to the origin of the Sun characteristics of the sub-atmospheric shells lower where the radiation fields and its attendant worlds, a far more complex of Jupiter that Juno began its journey almost are at their most intense. That was a solution and diverse range of structures than had been five years ago. which the engineers could live with. previously thought. Because it is believed that The design of the trajectory and the shape of Jupiter was the first of the planets to form Choices the orbit was determined by the requirement to around the Sun, it contains the same primordial Launched on 5 August 2011 to a get close in to the planet, approaching to within

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4,200 km of the outer atmosphere. That was The spacecraft’s magnetometer (MAG) was measures electrons in the range 100 ev to 95 necessary to answer the scientific questions provided by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight keV and ions in the range 10 ev to 46 keV, about Jupiter’s radiation belts and about the Center and is configured to build a three- with a resolution of 50 km. planet’s structure. Nevertheless, it is the first dimensional map of the field and its internal To observe and measure the interaction spacecraft to operate inside the radiation belts, structure. It will also provide a means by between the auroras, the for which a titanium vault provides sanctuary which temporal variations can be logged and and the planet’s atmosphere, Juno carries for the most delicate instruments on board, and fluctuations measured so that noted secular a camera and spectrometer in the JIRAM it is the first spacecraft to orbit so close to the variations can help determine the depth of the (Jovian Infrared Auroral Mapper) instrument. It atmosphere of an outer giant. dynamo operating this system. The instrument has a spectral resolution of 9 nanometres and itself comprises two flux gate magnetometers is sensitive to a range of 2-5 microns. JIRAM Science for measuring strength and direction. An will explore the voids in the atmosphere and Primary science objectives include a advanced stellar compass (ASC) provided by measure the amount of water circulating in the determination on the abundance of water in the Danish Technical University consists of clouds beneath the outer layers by observing Jupiter and a better understanding of the size four stellar cameras which will measure the convection. It will probe regions 50-70 km and mass of Jupiter’s core, a crucial component pointing orientation of the magnetometers. below the cloud tops. of refined theories on the planet’s origin. In To position the MAG sensors as far Juno’s Waves experiment will “listen” for recent analyses it has been theorised that from the main body of the spacecraft as plasma currents within the magnetosphere the interior of Jupiter is more bizarre than had possible, and to distance them from other and consists of two sensors, an electric dipole been thought hitherto, with deep layers around small instruments which have their own antenna to detect the electrical component the core capable of producing a strange form magnetic fields, they are attached to the end of radio and plasma waves and the other a of proto-metallic hydrogen. Understanding the of two 10 m booms projecting from one of magnetic search coil to monitor the magnetic interior is crucial to determining the nature of the solar arrays. A second set of sensors component. The total frequency range runs matter deep down. are positioned at a distance of 12 m from from 50 Hz to about 40 MHz, the latter being The Jovian atmosphere, its composition, the centre of the spacecraft to determine the limit of Jupiter’s radio emissions. temperature, cloud opacity and the dynamics whether any other instruments are affecting of the various layers down to a pressure of 100 the measurements. Observations bars can only be understood through close Observations of the spectacular aurora While the spacecraft searches for information optical and non-optical remote sensing for will be made using the four sensors of which can lead to a better understanding of which Juno is specifically equipped. In addition, the JADE (Jovian Auroral Distributions the all-important magnetosphere, its structure, the three-dimensional structure of the polar Experiment) instrument, three of which will the auroras and plasma fluctuations, Juno magnetosphere and observed auroras will measure electrons around the spacecraft will be conducting a detailed survey of the better define the nature of the planets magnetic while the remaining instrument will detect atmosphere and the various layers in the environment and radiation belts. As the most any positively charged hydrogen, helium, gaseous envelope. Scientists observing Jupiter powerful and energetic magnetosphere in the oxygen and sulphur ions. Scientists expect to from Earth are unable to make microwave solar system, Jupiter’s influence extends as see these ejecta products from the explosive observations of water in the planet because volcanoes on the moon Io, influenced by far as the orbital radius of Saturn and beyond the magnetosphere blocks those critical and understanding its physics is key to fully the massive tidal forces caused by Jupiter’s frequencies, so instruments were needed to understanding the origin and evolution of the gravity. Provided by the Southwest Research view the atmosphere from inside the radiation planet itself. Institute (SwRI), the JADE instrument belts. Specifically, Juno carries a Microwave The spacecraft carries a 645 kN thrust Leros-1b rocket motor plus three reaction control thrusters in four Radiometer (MWR) operating through six modules. X-band communications is effected through the high-gain dish antenna. NASA-JPL antennas on 0.6-22 GHz (1.3-50 cm), two large antenna (1.6 m square), three slot antennas and one horn antenna. The six antennas are mounted on two sides of the spacecraft’s hexagonal structure between the solar arrays, with the largest occupying an entire side. The MWR will enable scientists to observe a vertical column of the atmosphere from the top of the visible clouds to a depth of 550 km, where the pressure is about 1,000 bars. The instrument will determine the exact amount of radiation being emitted by Jupiter and will also help quantify the amount of water present in the various layers of the atmosphere. Interaction between the magnetic field of Jupiter and the energetic particles in space is observed with the JEDI (Jupiter Energetic- Particle Detector Instrument) and this will supplement the auroral instruments in helping study the electrically charged particles as they

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addition, small trim burns are scheduled to occur four hours after each perijove to align the longitudinal track for the next perijove . The precise height of perijove above the Jovian clouds changes with each orbit, varying between 4,200 km and 7,900 km and because each orbit is about 50 minutes less than a precise 14 days (336 hours) the orbit compensates for the orbital path of the planet around the Sun. With Jupiter’s 9.925 hr rotation rate this also provides a uniform coverage of the atmosphere during the planned 32 orbits of the primary mission. But unlike many planetary missions, the Juno mission is not open ended. The demise of Juno has been as carefully planned as its science phase. To prevent any possibility of the spacecraft crashing into the Galilean moons of Jupiter, and thus contravening international regulations on criteria, on orbit 37 the The first solar-powered spacecraft to fly beyond Mars, Juno has 18,698 solar cells on an area of 60 m² rocket motor will fire to reduce the height of across three panels, each one 2.7 m wide and 8.9 m long providing a total power of 0.5 kW at Jupiter. perijove to below the clouds, thus committing NASA-JPL Juno to a death fall into the giant planet. This spiral in to the polar regions. JEDI has three just 5,000 km from the atmosphere and help requirement played a major part of budgeting sensor units, each with six ion and six electron to provide a unifying context for the other consumables on board. Entry will occur at 34º windows, and will measure high-energy instruments, sending images in the visible N latitude on 16 October 2017. particles while JADE measures the low-energy spectrum at a spectral range of 400-900 The science return from Juno will be range. nanometres. Interestingly, the camera is based great, providing an appropriate precursor Working cooperatively with JADE and JEDI, on the MARDI carried by the Curiosity rover to the missions ahead, which will focus on the Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVS) from Malin Space Systems. the Galilean moons Ganymede, Callisto looks at the auroras in ultraviolet light and and Europa and their bizarre environments. continues the work in this area supported by Orbit phase Proposed for launch in 2022, Europe’s JUICE the Hubble . Observing at Now that Juno is safely in a highly elliptical mission should arrive at Jupiter in 2030 and be wavelengths of 70-200 nanometres, the UVS Jovian polar orbit, science will only begin in orbit around Ganymede three years later. has a spectral resolution of 0.6-1.2 nanometres when the spacecraft is in its definitive orbit. NASA’s Europa mission is still in contentious and is mounted on the spacecraft between the To save energy, the initial orbit has a 53.5 day debate, the agency wanting to delay plans for solar arrays. period but this must be modified into a 14-day a as well as an orbiter but Congress Finally, JunoCam will provide views of the orbit and that process is expected to begin is pushing hard to get it launched on an SLS planet’s cloud tops with a resolution of 25 km on 19 October with a relatively short burn. In rocket in the early 2020s or shortly after.

am very pleased to be able to publish this by physiological research in space travel. standing in the way of flights to the Moon and month the first of two articles by Dr John We were the first astronautical publication to Mars. Sometimes we can be in denial about Cain summarising the risk to disclose the very severe health risks to this. In our rush as cheer-leaders to the future Iof exposure to toxic materials and potentially lunar astronauts, which only became known we can make hasty and irrational decisions life-threatening chemicals as humans begin after a FOI request released private medical about the hazards involved. This lack of cool, the process of living and working at deep- records of deceased Moonwalkers. The work calm and collected judgement was, after all, space destinations. Pleased, because the on this by Dr William Rowe, which we have why Shuttle Challenger was lost. We must concerns about people working on the published over the last year or so, has begun never again cross our fingers and jump into Moon, or Mars or on any of the asteroids to get the attention of space agencies in the the abyss of uncertainty while putting Earth’s are frequently overlooked, if not sidelined, US and in Europe and we continue in that emissaries in mortal danger. in the rush to push humans away from their pioneering tradition by publishing this fresh On a lighter note, Tim Peake is safely back home planet. There is a need to examine analysis from Dr Cain. and has expressed in his usual and unique these underlying concerns and assess their The exuberance and enthusiasm which we way the feelings he has had about his epic implications. all feel for exploration and the movement of six months in space and about, among other The British Interplanetary Society takes humans to distant destinations can sometimes things, a surprise he got while brushing his a responsible view of risk and the possible suppress measured and responsible teeth in the Cupola! Find out on pages 342- threats to the health of astronauts implicated examination of the great range of problems 343.

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site being closer to the equator. ’s Briefing notes second habitable module, Tiangong-2, is • A second and final qualification ground scheduled for launch in late September test firing of the booster design selected followed by the -11 crew capsule for NASA’s System (SLS) in October. The Wenchang site will be took place on 28 June at Orbital ATK’s used to launch China’s -1 cargo test facilities in Promontory, Utah. With vehicle to the Tiangong-2 module in April more than 530 instrumentation channels 2017. These developments are on China’s on the booster providing detailed data on path to a permanently manned space performance during the two-minute firing, station which it hopes to achieve with a 60 engineers will examine a wide range of tonne laboratory about six years from now. structural, performance, acoustic and The inaugural launch of the LM-7 carried a stress loadings in an attempt to clear 2,600 kg re-entry module which was said SNC has struck a deal with the UN to make its the design for flight without the need to be a development model for a multi- available for a wider for additional firing tests. The first test purpose vehicle in addition to a pair of range of space applications. SNC took place in March 2015 at an ambient Tiange data relay , a CubeSat for temperature of 32º C. This particular test studying Earth gravity field and radiation capability seems in line with statements took place at a temperature of 4.4º C, levels and an Aolong-1 “ from China that it is planning this mega- which represents the lower end of the cleaner”. rocket to support crewed missions to the acceptable level, while the temperature Moon by 2031 at latest. Give the pace of inside the motor reached almost 3,315º C. • Following the successful inaugural launch China’s race for space, 15 years seems The initial Block 1 configuration of the SLS of the Long March-7 rocket, China has quite achievable in a centralised political will employ two boosters, each delivering begun to speak openly of plans to increase system unconstrained by democratic a thrust of 16,013 kN, and four RS-25 the capability of its new generation of accountability. cryogenic rocket motors in the core stage launchers following the much anticipated delivering a total thrust of 7,440 kN, plus flight of the Long March-5 planned for • Spaceplane concepts are burgeoning an Intermediate Cryogenic Propulsion imminent launch. Approximately the and their practical applications are Stage (ICPS) with a thrust of 110.1 kN for a equivalent of America’s Delta IV-Heavy, garnering greater interest among a wider payload to LEO of 70,000 kg. The total lift- China’s LM-5 will have a LEO capability range of potential users and customers, off thrust of 39,466 kN is almost one-fifth of 25,000 kg or, in a derivative, 14,000 for services which they are uniquely greater than that of the Apollo-era Saturn kg to geosynchronous transfer orbit. configured to provide. Latest is Sierra V. A later Block 2 version of the SLS will The new heavy-lift rocket now discussed Nevada Corporation with an agreement have a lift capacity of 105,000 kg. will, says the China Academy of Launch signed with the United Nations Office Vehicle Technologies (CALT) be capable for Affairs (UNOOSA) in • China completed a double “first” on 25 June of lifting five times the mass of current which several missions will be defined with the launch of its Long March-7 rocket launchers, without specifying a particular for payloads from member countries. The from its new Wenchang launch site situated payload mass. If related to the most SNC Dream Chaser reusable spaceplane in the southern province of Hainan. With powerful current Long March series this is marketed as a flexible Space Utility a launch mass of 597 tonne its payload a would imply a lift mass approximating that Vehicle (SUV) capable of a wide range capability of 13.5 tonne to low-Earth orbit of NASA’s but if of low-Earth orbit missions. The new the capability to is it refers to the LM-5 the capability would agreement with UNOOSA will underpin an enhanced by 7.4% because of the launch be as great as the SLS Block 2. Such a interface control document created by the two organisations and members’ countries NASA tested its powerful solid rocket boost for the Space Launch System on 28 June. NASA-MSFC to prepare a hosting guide allowing access on dedicated missions.

• Jeff Bezos has broken earth on his new manufacturing, processing, integration and testing facility at Kent, Florida, for his and BE-4 motor production, scheduled to open in December 2017.

• Engineering and mining companies eager to exploit the mineral resources of the solar system will get encouragement from the discovery of an opal inside a meteorite recovered from Antarctica. Announced by Prof Hilary Downes of Birkbeck College, London, it does, she says, demonstrate that meteorites delivered water ice to asteroids early in the evolution of the solar system.

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327.indd 327 7/28/2016 9:06:09 AM space stations ISS Report 16 June – 15 July 2016

By George Spiteri

Soyuz spacecraft TMA-19M returns to Earth bringing home Tim Peake, Yuri Malenchenko and Tim Kopra. NASA

The International (ISS) is now commanded by Jeff Williams and a cold beer! Peake was flown back to the with flight engineers Kate Rubins, Alexey Ovchinin, Oleg Skripochka European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, and Anatoly Ivanishin together with Takuya Onishi. Germany, whilst Kopra went back to Houston and Malenchenko flew to Moscow. n 16 June, Yuri Malenchenko, Tim far eastern Mongolia. In his first post flight news conference at the Kopra and Tim Peake continued performed a 4 min 37 sec de- EAC on 21 June, Peake vividly described the with packing and preparing their orbit burn at 08:22 UTC and following the descent from the moment of leaving the ISS, OSoyuz vehicle for its return to Earth. Williams successful separation of its three modules 27 adding that “undocking is fairly uneventful” but conducted eye exams as part of NASA’s mins later the descent module began entry “it’s from the de-orbit burn that things get really ongoing Ocular Health study, whilst Ovchinin interface at an altitude of 100 km at 08:52 exciting....separation was very dynamic.... and Skripochka together with Malenchenko UTC. After the main parachute deployed at when a solid spacecraft breaks into three took part in an inventory management 09:00 UTC, Malenchenko radioed Korolev that parts it doesn’t do it quietly...probably the most conference with specialists at ’s Korolev “everything’s fine on board” and Soyuz was dynamic part is when the parachute opens”. mission control. soon visible to TV viewers as it descended Peake also told reporters that it was a huge Williams replaced Kopra as the station’s through partly cloudy skies. Touchdown came privilege to live and work on the ISS and said he would “do it again in a heartbeat”. latest commander “...when a solid spacecraft approximately 145 during the km south east of traditional breaks into three parts Dzhezkazgan, Three-man operations ceremony that took it doesn’t do it quietly...” Kazakhstan at Williams, Ovchinin and Skripochka continued place at 13:20 UTC on 17 June. Kopra said 09:15 UTC (15:15 local time), completing a with a reduced day of science experiments he was “proud to pass off this command” to mission of 185 days 22 hrs 11 min, completing on 19 June and set up hardware for NASA’s Williams who responded that he intended “to 2,976 orbits of Earth and travelling 126.7 NeuroMapping study the following day, carry on the good tradition of service and duty” million km. which looks at the changes that take place aboard the ISS. Malenchenko became the world’s second to a crewmember’s brain and functions such Having said their farewells, Malenchenko, most experienced space traveller behind fellow as motor control and multi-tasking abilities. Kopra and Peake floated into their Soyuz TMA- cosmonaut Gennady Padalka, having logged Williams also stowed biological samples for 19M/45S spacecraft and closed the hatch at 828 days 9 hrs 20 min on six space flights. During JAXA’s Multi-Omics immune experiment, whilst 02:34 UTC on 18 June. With Malenchenko in an impromptu interview at the landing site Peake his Russian colleagues performed medical command, Soyuz undocked from Rassvet at told reporters that the re-entry was the “best ride experiments and conducted Earth observation 05:52 UTC as the complex flew 158 km above I’ve been on, ever” and looked forward to a pizza studies.

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At 14:00 UTC on 21 June all three three further days of experimentation with part of their day practicing with the manual crewmembers began a three hour emergency the Multi-Omics study on 23 June, swapped Telerobotically Operated Rendezvous System depressurisation drill, wearing gas masks, out experiment samples onto the external (TORU) and worked with the Russian Vizir floating into Soyuz and donning their Sokol platform on Kibo’s airlock and worked with experiment, which aims at improving Earth launch and entry suits to prepare for a simulated NASA’s Habitability study, which examines observation photography. evacuation of the station. The trio also the relationship between the crew and their On 28 June, Williams set up NASA’s 3D conducted a variety of scientific experiments, environment. Ovchinin and Skripochka printer in the Microgravity Science Glovebox Williams continued with the Multi-Omics study, performed maintenance to the thermal control (MSG) inside Destiny. Payload ground Ochvinin worked with the Russian Cosmocard system inside Zvezda and conducted more remotely operated the device to produce two 3D medical experiment and Skripochka spent the Earth observation studies. printed test coupons which Williams removed second of two days with the ongoing Uragan On 24 June, Williams devoted most of and stored. Skripochka checked equipment (Hurricane) Earth observation study. the day to an experiment which studies the that is part of an experiment to determine the Orbital ATK tweeted that their behaviour of gases and liquids and also took location of micrometeroid impacts on the ISS unmanned commercial vehicle had re-entered and together with Ovchinin closed the hatch to Earth’s atmosphere at 13:29 UTC on 22 June. “…an accidental firing of 62 prior to its undocking. Named in honour of astronaut Rick Husband, attitude-control thrusters…” The commander devoted another day working Cygnus left the ISS on 14 June and conducted time out to conduct NASA’s low frequency high with the 3D printer on 29 June, producing two an array of science activities including a fire impact Sprint exercise experiment. There were more coupons and spent the first of two days experiment (SpaceflightVol 58, No 8 p 290) and further Earth observation studies for Ovchinin setting up NASA’s Synchronised Position Hold, deployed four on 21 June to perform and Skripochka who also did Progress 63 Reorient, Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) maritime and weather monitoring. Cygnus’ final cargo transfers. for the forthcoming Zero Robotics competition experiment was to monitor its own destruction The crew had their regular light-duty conducted in conjunction with middle school as it re-entered the atmosphere. weekend 25/26 June talking to family and students. Ovchinin and Skripochka worked Williams spent the majority of 22 June friends, planning for the week ahead and with the Russian Seismoprognoz experiment, conducting maintenance to EMU suits 3005 performing housekeeping chores. which aims to monitor and predict earthquakes. and 3008. Ovchinin worked with the Russian Williams spent five and a half hours on 27 SPLANH experiment, which studies the human June conducting maintenance to a connector Re-docking digestive system and Skripochka took part in problem with the Major Constituent Analyser The following day saw the Russian crewmen the Interactions 2 and Matryoshka-R radiation (MCA) inside Destiny, which measures the conduct a few maintenance tasks ahead of the experiments. quality and components of air inside the ISS. planned TORU test which began at 05:36 UTC The station’s new commander returned to Ovchinin and Skripochka devoted the earlier on 1 July, when Progress MS-01/62P undocked

Shortly after landing Expedition crew Tim Peake (left), Yuri Malenchenko (centre) and Tim Kopra receive an initial medical check before being carried to the mobile medical facility for a more thorough examination. NASA

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from Pirs and was moved approximately 600 crew also began several days of maintenance at 04:06 UTC on 9 July as the complex flew metres away from the station. With Ovchinin to their EVA suits inside the Quest airlock 409 km over the southern Pacific Ocean. The at the controls inside Zvezda and Skripochka including recharging the suits’ batteries. hatches were opened over two hours later at acting as his back-up, Progress was manually 06:26 UTC and the arrivals floated into their guided back to Pirs for a re-docking 29 minutes A new Soyuz new orbital home, returning the ISS to a six later in a test of the upgraded TORU docking Following a few weeks delay for additional person complement. system and of the new signal conversion unit software testing, Soyuz MS-01/47S (Modified Their first task was to speak to family, friends installed inside Zvezda in April. Systems-01) was launched from Baikonur’s and VIPs at Korolev, with Vladimir Solovyov, Initially RSC and Site 1 at 01:36 UTC on 7July (07:36 local head of the Russian segment of the ISS declared the engineering test a success and time) carrying Russian Lieutenant programme taking the opportunity to praise Korolev radioed Ovchinin for “an excellent job Colonel Anatoly Ivanishin (47) on his second Ivanishin for performing the “very important well done!” However, veteran Russian space space flight, and rookies Dr Kate Rubins (37) flight tests to the new Soyuz vehicle”. programme reporter Anatoly Zak said that it a molecular biologist and the 60th female space Williams gave Ivanishin’s crew the didn’t go exactly as planned. There was an traveller and Takuya Onishi (40) an aeronautical mandatory safety briefing, necessary to issue with TORU and Korolev ordered Ovchinin engineer. Soyuz was equipped with upgraded familiarise the new crew with emergency to switch from manual to the Kurs automated thrusters that are fully redundant, additional evacuation procedures and aside from a light- control when Progress was a few metres away micrometeoroid debris shielding, redundant duty weekend 9/10 July, took part in NASA’s from Pirs. electrical motors for Soyuz’s docking probe Fine Motor Skills study, which involves a series Zak also stated that there was “an accidental of interactive tasks on a touchscreen tablet. firing of attitude-control thrusters” which was “…there’s an enormous The station commander led the newcomers “clearly visible on live TV” causing Progress amount of interior volume…” through two further hours of ISS orientation to pitch significantly before being righted and and increased power with more photovoltaic activities on 11 July, whilst Ovchinin and RSC Energia conceded that “failure can occur cells on the spacecraft’s solar arrays. Skripochka conducted Earth observation in the very system under test...it is permissible Other enhancements included a new studies, Ivanishin worked on a medical for a truck of a new series”. digital video transmitter and encoder to send experiment and Rubins spent additional time Progress was undocked a final time at 03:48 engineering video of the ship’s approach to the with the Fine Motor Skills study. UTC on 3 July and fired its engines over three ISS, a new telemetry capability along with an Having set up NASA’s EarthKAM hardware hours later at 07:03 UTC for a destructive re- upgraded Kurs rendezvous antenna and an the previous day, Ovchinin and Skripochka entry in the southern Pacific Ocean west of improved system to better began several days of Earth observation New Zealand. calculate the vehicle’s position in space. Mark studies on 12 July. This experiment allows The Russian cosmonauts joined Williams in Bowman, Chief Engineer of the Soyuz Branch middle school students to select features on celebrating US Independence Day on 4 July. of the Astronaut Office described the upgrades Earth for study and photography. Meanwhile, The station’s commander tweeted several as essential “to increase the reliability of the Rubins and Onishi assisted Williams with photos of the US on its birthday including, spacecraft”. some on-board refresher training for the arrival appropriately, one of Philadelphia! Soyuz flew a two day, 34 orbit rendezvous of the next Dragon vehicle. Ground teams continued to remotely profile to the station, giving the crew the On 13 July, Rubins took her turn with the operate the 3D printer on 5 July, producing a opportunity to periodically test the new Habitability experiment and together with total of 34 coupons by 13 July when Williams upgrades, making a flawless docking to the Onishi helped Williams with more training for disassembled and stowed the hardware. The Rassvet module, six minutes ahead of schedule Dragon’s imminent arrival. Ovchinin worked with the Russian DAN medical experiment, whilst Skripochka conducted the ongoing Gathered together at the Integration Facility at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kate Rubins (left), Anatoly Ivanishin (centre) and Takuya Onishi pose for a pre-launch photo-shoot. NASA Russian Identifikatsia (Identifications) experiment, which studies the effects dynamic loads such as dockings, EVAs and re-boosts have on science experiments. Ivanishin devoted a second day to a medical study which looks at calcium change in bones during long duration space flight. Rubins gave her first impressions of the ISS during an interview with US media on 14 July. She was amazed at “how huge” the station appeared as they approached, adding “there’s an enormous amount of interior volume”. Ovchinin and Ivanishin conducted a practice drill with TORU in preparation for the arrival of the next Progress craft, whilst Williams and Onishi performed maintenance to the Station’s Water Recovery System (WRS). On 15 July, Williams, Rubins and Onishi conducted another round of robotics training, whilst their Russian colleagues performed more Progress 63 cargo transfers.

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By John Boyes

RAF Driffield was one of 20 sites to get the Thor IRBM during a period of Cold War tension. John Boyes

he launch of on 4 October any lack of resolve in facing its Cold War squadron status. This required reactivating 1957 was, of course, significant in very enemy. twenty dormant squadrons [4]. Upwards many ways but in terms of the “Special control of the four wings would be split – two TRelationship” between Britain and the US it Location, location each – between No.1 Group, based at Bawtry was arguably the final action that set in place But where to put the missiles? There was, on Hall near Doncaster and No.3 Group based at the agreement [1] to put American Douglas the face of it, no lack of possible locations. The RAF Mildenhall. Thor Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles East coast of Britain from to East (IRBMs) on British soil. Anglia was peppered with airfield sites from The MB-3 rocket motor for the Thor missile evolved from the propulsion system for the The idea of basing missiles in Britain had which RAF and US Air Force Navaho cruise missile, paradoxically a weapon originally been formulated by the USAF in had operated during the Second World War. concept deemed less capable than ballistic 1955 to provide a stopgap arrangement Many were inactive or had reverted to farmland missiles which led to Thor. USAF until their Atlas Intercontinental Ballistic but there were still plenty that were still Missiles (ICBMs) became operational at operational or could be re-activated if required. the end of the decade. However, diplomatic Initially there was a disparity of views: the US relationships between the two allies had wanted to concentrate the missiles on one or suffered badly as a result of Britain’s part in two large bases; the RAF favoured a more the invasion of the Suez Canal in October dispersed layout, the latter plan obviously 1956 and this had proved a set-back to forcing the Soviets to cover more targets. the discussions on agreeing terms for In the end the British plan was adopted. The the acceptance of the missiles. However, joint project was given the somewhat abstruse the Thor Agreement was concluded as name “Project Emily” [2] and was jointly a gesture of reconciliation put together managed by the USAF [3] 7th Air Division and by Prime Minister and the RAF from offices within the Air Ministry. President Dwight Eisenhower when the two The RAF’s proposal was agreed and this leaders met in in March 1957. would allow for 20 dispersed sites, designated There were those in America who thought “flights”, each with three missiles. These flights that progress with Atlas was such that the would be in squadron groups of five with one financial cost of Thor, which would, from a US of the five sites being co-located with the point of view, be redundant once Atlas became squadron headquarters. operational, would be wasted expense. In recognition of the importance of the role, However, in the face of the subsequent Soviet however, this structure was later elevated to spectacular it was no time for NATO to show four wings with the flights elevated to individual

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Although efforts were made to maintain maximum secrecy about the project, in practice this was difficult as few, if any, airfields were remote from local populations who had a habit of knowing pretty much everything about what was going on locally and an emergent Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) was usually well informed about matters relevant to their cause. In any case, once construction work started, it would be all but impossible to disguise the nature of the work from prying eyes. RAF Feltwell was early on identified as the lead site. Although it was a grass strip airfield it was conveniently close to RAF Lakenheath, occupied operationally by the USAF, and into which, initially, much of the equipment and the missiles would be flown. Thereafter it was necessary to identify further sites. A comprehensive survey of a large number of possible locations was undertaken in February The site layout for RAF Feltwell and the three Thor missiles, template for all 20 sites. John Boyes 1958, much of it under severe weather conditions, by a fifteen-man survey team consisting of representatives of the RAF, USAF, Air Ministry and the General Post Office, the latter included because of the communications links that would need to be installed on any inactive sites. Air transport had been contemplated but was considered too problematic, so journeys were to be made separately in six cars so as not to attract undue attention. Everyone wore civilian clothes. At one stage the weather was so bad that, breaking their own rules, the cars had to travel in convoy for “self protection”.

Deployment The list of six provisional locations on existing stations identified as potential Wing HQ sites had been submitted to the Air Ministry earlier in the month and all were assessed during the survey. The sites were: Waddington, Hemswell (where the group was temporarily snowbound), Leconfield, Driffield, Leeming, and Dishforth. Once an emergency landing field in the East Riding of Yorkshire, RAF Carnaby hosted Thor for less than four years. John Boyes Of these only Hemswell and Driffield were to survive the final vetting process. Waddington this was later dropped in favour of direct supply diminutive . was already a Vulcan base and Dishforth, from the British Oxygen Company. Access to Further consideration had to be given to although originally selected as the Wing HQ the sites also had to be taken into account and allow for the maximum de-conflicting of the for a northerly group of sites, was eliminated assessments were made as to the suitability of V- main bases. This had weakened when radar scatter in the Yorkshire Dales was the proposed access routes for the 18.3 m (60 ft) the case for Waddington which was further considered a potential problem long transporter erector launcher (TEL) trailers. earmarked for SAGW Stage 1½ [5]. V-bomber The criteria against which the sites were An optimum distance of 24 km (15 mls) dispersal sites had to be considered as well assessed were a suitable area for the launch between the Wing HQ and each of the satellite and also the protective coverage that would be emplacements, suitable buildings to house the sites was taken as the standard, although this given to the Thor missiles by the missile Receipt Inspection and Maintenance could be extended to a maximum of 48 km Mk1 SAGW operated by Fighter Command. (RIM) Building, Technical Storage Building and (30 mls) and a straight line minimum of 19 km So what had perhaps initially seemed a the specialist buildings required for storing the (12 mls) if required. Once the full surveys had relatively easy project ended up as one of warheads and pyrotechnics and finally a dog been completed, the Sitings Board, embodying considerable complexity and that was without compound with kennelling for thirty police dogs. members of the Survey Team, determined the the antagonism of some local populations – At this stage as well the local production of liquid final selection of sites. Dishforth was replaced often egged on by anti-nuclear factions – to the oxygen (LOX) was also being considered but by a group based on North Luffenham in basing of missiles in their “back yard”.

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Thor Site Locations Site Sqn From To Site Sqn From To FELTWELL No 77(SM) Sqn 1 Sep 58 10 Jul 63 DRIFFIELD No 98(SM) Sqn 1 Aug 59 18 Apr 63 Shepherds Grove No 82(SM) Sqn 22 Jul 59 10 Jul 63 Full Sutton No 102(SM) Sqn 1 Aug 59 27 Apr 63 Tuddenham No 107(SM) Sqn 22 Jul 59 10 Jul 63 Carnaby No 150(SM) Sqn 1 Aug 59 9 Apr 63 Mepal No 113(SM) Sqn 22 Jul 59 10 Jul 63 Catfoss No 226(SM) Sqn 1 Aug 59 9 Mar 63 North Pickenham No 220(SM) Sqn 22 Jul 59 10 Jul 63 Breighton No 240(SM) Sqn 1 Aug 59 8 Jan 63

HEMSWELL No 97(SM) Sqn 1 Dec 58 24 May 63 NORTH LUFFENHAM No 144(SM) Sqn 1 Dec 59 23 Aug 63 Caistor No 269(SM) Sqn 22 Jul 59 24 May 63 Polebrook No 130(SM) Sqn 1 Dec 59 23 Aug 63 Ludford Magna No 104(SM) Sqn 22 Jul 59 24 May 63 Folkingham No 223(SM) Sqn 1 Dec 59 23 Aug 63 Coleby Grange No 142(SM) Sqn 22 Jul 59 24 May 63 Harrington No 218(SM) Sqn 1 Dec 59 23 Aug 63 Bardney No 106(SM) Sqn 22 Jul 59 24 May 63 Melton Mowbray No 254(SM) Sqn 1 Dec 59 23 Aug 63

Meetings between the RAF and the USAF at 50th anniversary of the , book, Thor . The United the Air Ministry confirmed the 20 sites although English Heritage gave Grade II status to both States and United Kingdom in Partnership. 3. The US Air Force had been formed as a it was later calculated that a single accurately North Luffenham and Harrington, but sadly this separate arm of service on 18 September placed one megaton airburst could have does not allow for work to be undertaken to 1947. simultaneously eliminated Driffield, Carnaby protect the two sites. Like the others they will 4. The RAF established squadron seniority and Catfoss. For the rest, the Soviets would no doubt gradually crumble away. by the cumulative length of time the need to employ a minimum of one warhead per squadron had been in operation. When a new squadron number is required, the site. John Boyes is treasurer of the RAF Historical MOD is supposed to take the most senior Thor’s role was deterrence but with no Society and financial controller of the Bomber inactive number plate and bring it back into protection on open airfield sites it was Command Association. Previously he has use. Hence the Thor squadrons, although vulnerable to something as simple as a written “Project Emily: Thor IRBM and the ‘bomber heavy’ included a fair scatter of sniper’s shot. Its value was political rather than RAF” and has followed that with his latest book other roles as well. Along with the nine Bloodhound SAGW squadrons established and the USAF Chief of Staff, General “Thor Ballistic Missile – The United States and around the same time, this represented the Curtis LeMay was possibly close to the mark the United Kingdom in Partnership.” largest increase in RAF squadrons since when he claimed “the RAF never wanted it”. the Second World War. Now, little – in some cases, nothing – remains References 5. This was an improved RED DUSTER of this brief period when the RAF fielded the (Bloodhound) Mk 1, called GREEN 1. Supply of Ballistic Missiles by the United FLAX and later YELLOW TEMPLE West’s first ballistic missiles. Only Feltwell, States to the United Kingdom. HMSO. incorporating a Ferranti Type 86 (INDIGO Driffield and North Luffenham, remain in the Cmnd 366. 1958. CORKSCREW) or AEI Type 87 (BLUE ownership of the Ministry of Defence. On the 2. For the origin of the name see the author’s ANCHOR) continuous wave seeker.

The Thor IRBM

Designed as an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile, Thor had a length of 19.5 m (64 ft) and a maximum tank diameter of 2.4 m (8 ft). Powered by a mixture of RP-1 (a form of kerosene) and liquid oxygen (LOX), its Rocketdyne MB-3 motor produced a nominal thrust of 667.2 kN (150,000 lb). Like their aeronautical contemporaries, quoted range of missiles depends on load and flight path. The nominal design range was 2,775 km (1,725 mls) but Thor did achieve a throw-distance of 4,352 km (2,704 statute mls) with a 1.44 MT warhead. Conceived in the early 1950s as a more secure and reliable deterrent to subsonic cruise missiles, Thor also served an intermediate step to the much larger and technically more challenging Atlas and Titan ICBMs and it was on that basis that it was approved for development. The first flight of a Thor missile took place on 25 January 1957 and became the first missile that proceeded to deployment under the guidance of US Air Force Gen Bernard A. Shriever, who, unlike his Army counterpart Gen John B. Medaris, operated the concurrency concept described here. Because of its somewhat limited range the Thor missile could only be effective as a nuclear deterrent against Russia if it was deployed on sites in the UK or continental Europe. Since the latter was out of the question, Britain was the only choice and the first of 60 missiles arrived in the UK on 29 August 1958 and all had been removed by the end of 1963. In addition to the 60 Thor missiles deployed in the UK, 60 Jupiter IRBMs developed by the US Army were deployed in equal numbers in Italy and Turkey between November 1961 and 1963. Jupiter was so redundant that none of them were returned to the US, the tanks being cut up in situ. Unlike Jupiter, which had a limited life as a satellite launcher, Thor was improved, enlarged and adapted, receiving a wide range of upper stages and a variety of solid propellant booster rockets to facilitate it as a space rocket. It survives today in very different guise and with a completely different The first Thor missile at Cape Canaveral on the structural design, propulsion system and capability. day of its first launch. USAF

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331-333.indd 333 7/28/2016 9:05:39 AM interview ESA head aims for innovation

by David Todd

Jan Woerner, ESA Director-General at the “Earth for Space” pavilion during the Berlin Air and Space show on 2 June. ESA

ohann-Dietrich “Jan” Woerner has been we can do. However, we have already just one aspect. There might be other methods Director General of the European Space embarked on space programmes with a very like single-stage-to-orbit, for instance, or other Agency (ESA) since 1 July 2015. After strong private investment, especially in the propulsion systems like the hybrid system that Jeight years heading the German Aerospace telecommunications sector but also in the uses air-breathing during the lower part of the Centre (DLR) and the German delegation at launchers sector. So we will go on with that flight and then traditional fuel for the rest. Thus, ESA, he succeeded Jean-Jacques Dordain and we will try to convince Member States also there is a large variety of different aspects in the leading ESA executive role. In his short to fund more innovative activities, and also to which have to be analysed. At the same time, period in office, Jan Woerner has already take more risks than in the past. we need to define what is the best and most restructured the agency so that it is ready for proper European solution. So it’s not a matter the “Space 4.0” era. What will ESA’s involvement in Ariane of looking into just one thing. He talked to me about ESA’s future, covering 6 design be within the new industrial private investment in space and insurance, framework around Airbus Safran As part of its risk management strategy, innovation and reusable rockets, political risks Launchers? ESA has used insurance for some of its and future plans for manned lunar exploration. What we did from our end at ESA, together landmark missions. In the light of your with our Member States, was to clearly increased budget does ESA plan to use ESA has had an eventful year. Which of its define the high level requirements such as more insurance or retain more of its achievements are you most proud of? the satellite mass needed to be transported, risks? As Director General I would never point out just the orbits to be attained, and of course the ESA does not usually use insurance. We one or two missions because all of the ESA competitiveness of the launcher. The details perform risky missions. However, usually activities are important for me. However, for are defined by industry and this represents a we retain this risk, striving to minimise it by sure, the public visibility of the Rosetta mission change of governance that gives industry more performing very clear analyses beforehand, and its Philae lander on Comet Churumyov- responsibility and puts them in the driver’s relying on sensors and several engineering Gerasimenko was very important because it seat. tools at the same time. I believe that in the got the attention of a very broad public. future we should take on greater risk in order Some, including executives within the to have more innovation in a shorter time. ESA has had an 18% increase in its budget. (EU), have suggested that Will ESA use this increase to sponsor more Europe should be developing reusable The European contribution of ATV innovation in the private sector? technologies. What is your technology to the NASA Service The budget of ESA is always linked to view? Module is reported to be going well. specific programmes defined by its Member My view is that we should look for the most However, while the Mars-mission-centric States, so this is somehow “limiting” what competitive launcher system. Reusability is NASA has plans to orbit the Moon, it has

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noted that ESA will have to build a lunar Biography landing craft if it wants to get astronauts to the lunar surface. This could be either Professor Jan Woerner is yet another example of a top space executive being recruited from civil a basic exploration lunar lander to fly on engineering. Having taken degrees in civil engineering at the Technical University (TU) Berlin shared SLS Block 2 launches with Orion, and TU Darmstadt, including spending a year in Japan investigating the earthquake safety of or a much larger “lunar village” version nuclear power plants, he worked for the consulting civil engineers Koenig und Heunisch. to fly dedicated SLS flights. Is there any In 1990 Dr Woerner returned to academia as professor of civil engineering at TU Darmstadt possibility of ESA developing either? and became President of the University in 1995. He was appointed Chairman of the Executive We are discussing with our global partners in Board of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) in 2007 and served in this role until his the USA, as well as in Russia, in Japan and appointment at ESA in 2015. other countries, about future cooperation in Jan Woerner has been awarded several academic prizes and honorary degrees, including exploration. Part of this discussion has to do one from the technical university of Mongolia, and he is an honorary Knight of the French Légion with the journey to other bodies in our solar d’Honneur. system and, for us, the Moon is the first very logical step on that journey. So we will see see any necessity to move ESA into another Comment by David Todd: how we can realise that step, both in terms of legal framework. Jan Woerner appears to be in favour of robotic missions as well as human missions. ESA taking on more risk without resorting to There is no need to decide today about that as On the subject of the political risk, while insurance, just so long as it is in the cause of we still have the International Space Station most of its participants would like to extend accelerating innovation. On this, he also leaves for another 10 years. So while we have to operations of the International Space the door open to reusable technologies and for prepare for the future, the decision will come Station, do you think that the damaged missions to the Moon. later, when we know exactly what we are international relationship with Russia over Woerner’s internationalism – in respect of the going to do. Ukraine and Syria will hinder this plan? West’s relationship with Russia and the unity No, it’s very clear that cooperation in space of both ESA and the EU – is an honourable It has been noted by critics that the EU is beyond these Earthly problems. This was stance, even if the reality is that national has tried to interfere with the workings and proven during the last year when we had Soyuz interests often clash with such idealism. policies of ESA. Do you think that ESA will launches from Kazakhstan, with American and And finally, while he has a quirkily joking ever become one of its agencies? European astronauts as well as a Russian persona in public, what is Jan Woerner really I believe that what we have to have is what cosmonaut being flown on board. So space is like? The last “on a lighter note” question was taxpayers ask us to have: a “United Space in an ideal instrument to bridge such problems a bit of psychological fun to try to find out. Europe”. This means that all the different actors and we would like to continue on this track. His choice of favourite animal is supposed to in space should cooperate intensively and ESA, be how Jan sees himself: a big powerful as an intergovernmental organisation, is part And finally, on a lighter note, what are your who is able to solve problems. His second of this cooperation. So we are the managers favourite animals. Please describe the favourite is supposed to be how others see for programmes defined by their stakeholders; attributes that you like in them. him: Woerner is apparently viewed as being a be it for the Member States of ESA, defining A lion, and the second one, maybe a rabbit. cuddly but clever bunny. the high level requirements, or be it for the A lion because of its power and its ability to European Commission, defining the high-level tackle problems, and a rabbit because of its David Todd is Seradata’s Head of Space requirements for EU programmes. So I don’t cleverness. Content

ESA Director-General Jan Woerner (second from left) hosts Angela Merkel (second from right) in a mock-up of the Columbus ISS laboratory, accompanied by ESA astronaut Gerst and chairwoman of the German aerospace centre Pascale Ehrenfreund. ESA

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334-335.indd 335 7/28/2016 9:05:18 AM physiology Humans in Space and Chemical Risks to Health

Dr John R. Cain FBIS

NASA and partners in the International Space Station anticipate missions to other planets on expeditions where chemical and environmental threats could be considerable. NASA

ankind has been exploring space the chemical composition include: spacecraft The spacecraft life support systems need for over fifty years during which cabin characteristics; quantity of electrical and to be able to recover water, generate oxygen, time there have been successful other equipment in the spacecraft; composition remove airborne impurities such as carbon Mlandings on the Moon and the establishment of the materials from which the spacecraft is dioxide, carbon monoxide, trace elements of an International Space Station (ISS). Space made; mission duration; crew number and and hydrogen to ensure a stable breathable exploration is not without its risks to health and the tasks they perform; and related body environment. The life support systems are astronauts are continually exposed to a range metabolism. routinely monitored to ensure that the any of hazards including , radiation, The human aspects contributing to the chemicals released are within limits. chemical, microbial and psychological, that background chemical concentrations will be However, in January 2015, the crew of the could affect their health acutely or chronically more critical during long-term missions to Mars ISS had to evacuate the US section of the [1]. One of the major hazards for astronauts on and beyond. There needs to be acceptable space station after a possible leak of ammonia the ISS is potential exposure to a wide variety air quality at all times to reduce the risks of from a cooling system into the surrounding of toxic chemicals such as ammonia, carbon exposure to airborne chemicals and associated atmosphere. monoxide, and aldehydes. health effects. During off-gassing, thousands of trace Chemical exposure will be an issue during contaminants may be released such as The recent year-long flight of astronaut Scott the colonising of the Moon and Mars. Apart ethanol, formaldehyde, ammonia and a Kelly was an essential step toward characterising from exposure to the “old chemicals” such number of volatile organic compounds (VOC). the physiology of humans on long duration as carbon monoxide, there will also be On the ISS, during testing the most prevalent flights. NASA additional risks to health from exposure to off-gassing chemical compounds are alcohols, “new chemicals” for example, lunar dusts and ketones and organosilicones. Martian perchlorates [2]. A failure to control exposure to these hazardous substances Health effects could result in major risks to health. Astronauts will be exposed to substances hazardous to health in various forms. Sources Exposure to high concentrations of chemical Diverse physical and human factors contribute dusts, aerosols, vapours, mists or gases via to the background levels of the many the respiratory tract, the skin, the eyes or by chemicals identified within a spacecraft, in ingestion may result in acute health effects. particular from the life support systems and Exposure to the toxic chemicals over from off-gassing [3]. Other factors affecting time, in particular if travelling to Mars or in

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establishing a lunar settlement, may lead to chronic health effects. The symptoms of chemical exposure will depend on several factors including the chemical and toxicological characteristic(s) of the chemical hazards; long-term exposure to ultra-fine particulates or nano-particles could result in long-latency disease such as cancer. Symptoms could also result from the tasks being undertaken, such as the hand use of glues and exposure to solvents which may result in respiratory irritation, sensitisation, dermatitis, etc. Then there is the length of time of exposure, e.g. continuous presence of carbon monoxide during a space flight which may result in headaches. The routes of exposure such as inhalation of ammonia may result in respiratory irritation with symptoms of coughing and choking whereas eye exposure may cause stinging and University of Alabama-Huntsville student Robert Hillan created the Multipurpose Precision Maintenance reddening. The measures in use to mitigate Tool, a 3 D printer on the International Space Station, but will printers pose a threat for astronauts? exposure e.g. the wearing of protective NASA goggles and a respirator to prevent eye contact and inhalation exposure to dust respectively astronautical hygienists and toxicologists have to one or more chemicals at or below the set when maintaining equipment on the ISS will be set exposure limits known as Space Maximum concentrations for a specific time period(s) will essential. Allowable Concentrations (SMACs)[4]. not affect the health of the astronauts who are All these factors will need to be considered continuously exposed to the chemicals [5]. when producing a risk assessment of the Maximum allowances The ISS is equipped for on-board analysis of work to be undertaken in a spacecraft so that SMACs have been set for hundreds of airborne a wide range of airborne chemical substances, the most appropriate measures to prevent or chemicals found in spacecraft such as the ISS for example aldehydes, acetone, toluene and control exposure are determined. and formerly in the Shuttle. The standards are xylene. If a SMAC is exceeded then the causes To reduce the exposure health risks of for exposure periods ranging from 1 hour to are identified and any faults such as excess astronauts working and living in space, 180 days. They are designed so that exposure equipment off-gassing are remedied.

NASA is developing new space suits for deep-space missions, including suits such as this being tested during a parabolic flight in a NASA C9 aircraft. But will they be enough to combat chemical threats encountered. NASA

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Logical stepping stones to a deep-space human exploration programme envisage a series of building blocks based on capabilities. ASA

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However, susceptible astronauts may include: (1) the use of sophisticated 3 D printing; of cancer. Exposure to aldehydes and gases develop health effects if exposed to a chemical (2) mining of rare metals with the generation during the use of plastic 3 D printing could below the appropriate SMAC because of the of airborne dust; (3) exploration and exposure cause respiratory, skin and eye irritation. physiological influence of weightlessness. to perchlorates whilst on Mars; (4) exposure The release of ultrafine or nanoparticles into Such susceptible astronaut populations will to lunar dust during settlement construction; the surrounding atmosphere of a space craft be low and it is expected that the majority of (5) use of advanced life support systems; (6) during the use of plastic or metal 3 D printing astronauts will not be affected by exposure utilisation of synthetic biology; and (7) potential could result in both respiratory acute and to toxic substances below the SMAC. The exposure to unknown chemical hazards from chronic health effects. SMACs are set based mainly on reliable data for example, the quarrying of rocks. from human and animal studies as well as on Mining computer modelling of the available data. 3 D printing As metals such as palladium and platinum 3 D printing is now widely used by many become rare on Earth, there will be an impetus Monitoring terrestrial companies to manufacture individual to mine these metals extra-terrestrially. Monitoring for airborne exposure to chemical small and medium sized items. Both NASA and Because of the hostility of the environment contaminants within a spacecraft is used ESA are using 3 D printing to design equipment such mining will involve new technologies to to check compliance with the SMACs and for use on the ISS, for manufacturing robotics dig deep into the surface, to remove the metals also to check the effectiveness of the control and for designing habitats for use by colonists and to transport them to Earth. The astronauts measures to reduce exposure, for example the on the Moon and Mars. Zero gravity 3 D involved with this work will be exposed to cabin air HEPA filtration systems and to adjust printing has been developed and is being used dust generated during all stages of the mining if necessary. Such monitoring will be essential on the ISS to produce small scale items for use process. Exposure to airborne and surface during long-term space journeys because by the astronauts. Items to be manufactured palladium dust and its salts could result in pain astronauts will be continuously exposed to Space agencies have developed concepts for humans to visit other worlds and to stay, using vehicles to airborne contaminants. Monitoring surface transport them across a variety of surface topographies. NASA chemical contamination will also be important for assessing the risks from skin exposure. Exposomes are all the non-genetic factors contributing to the cause of disease and include exposure to chemicals, dietary intake and life style choices from birth [6]. Exposomics is the analysis of exposure to all environmental stressors and they can be used to assess cumulative risks and prevent disease from, for example, high radiation exposure. This will be particularly important during long-term living and working in space to detect those astronauts at most risk from developing disease. Astronauts are a captive population and by the nature of the environment in which they live, it is likely that specific exposomic exposures to chemicals will be found that can be detected and biomarkers of exposure used to identify those at most risk [7].

New hazards are scanned from a computerised design in the teeth and jaw, visual disturbances and As astronauts continue to explore space and the modelling materials are laid down dermatitis. Exposure to platinum and its salts and eventually settle on the Moon and on or “sliced” into many layers to produce the for example, could cause skin sensitisation, the planets, they will be exposed to various article. Materials used in the “printing” of the damage to the kidneys and bone marrow known and unknown hazards that could result items include plastics, such as acrylonitrile and possibly cancer. These symptoms could in acute and chronic health effects. Some of butadiene styrene (ABS) and various metals be difficult to treat in the these hazards will be chemical and exposure e.g. aluminium, cobalt, nickel, gold and silver. and thus jeopardise the success of a mission could result in high risks to health. Most of As space is explored there will be a greater unless effective exposure controls were in these chemical hazards will arise from work use of 3 D printing with increased sophistication operation. activities for example, maintenance tasks in a and the utilisation of a wider range of materials. spacecraft and space-station, from exploring During production, therefore, the astronauts Exposure to perchlorates lunar and planetary surfaces, from the mining will be potentially exposed to a number of toxic Perchlorates are a major persistent component of asteroids and comets and during high risk chemicals the composition of which will be of the Martian regolith and they could be work tasks in settlements. related to whether the 3D process uses plastics used as a source of oxygen and also to fuel There are several processes that will be or metals. Acute exposure to the metals e.g. surface operations. It would be very difficult developed and utilised extra-terrestrially that nickel could result in skin and respiratory to avoid exposure to the chemical and other will have the potential to generate chemicals sensitisation whereas chronic exposure to ASB dust chemical components in particular from and increase the risks to health. These will for example, could result in the development contaminated spacesuits when removing them

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micro-organisms can produce a range of chemical substances for use in a range of industries e.g. the remediation of waste. In a planetary settlement, the uncontrolled release of one or more hazardous chemicals such as arsenic and cyanide compounds could be catastrophic to the health of the population. It is not possible to predict the number of chemicals that will be liberated by the use and development of synthetic biology in space and the subsequent production of genetically modified material, but it will need to be well controlled and regulated. The influence of low gravity and the nature of the hostile physical environment in which astronauts and others will have to live and work will cause significant changes to genetically modified material if it is released into the surrounding atmosphere

Unknown chemical hazards The conquest of space is in its infancy and it is impossible to know how it will progress. Human contact with alien environments poses great challenges for the generation of space colonists However, as worlds are settled and interstellar and these could include biological hazards. NASA travel becomes more widespread, there will be inside an airlock. The Martian dust may contain and ensuring that surface contamination a greater risk of exposure to as yet unknown up to 1% perchlorate and direct inhalation of is significantly reduced, e.g. by designing chemical hazards. For example, during the a few milligrams of the dust inside the airlock spacecraft with few cavities and crevices in the quarrying for rare metals on an asteroid, could result in quick absorption into the body floor space. there may be the release of chemical gases and subsequent health effects. Ingestion of the or vapours that are highly destructive and chemical in contaminated food and water would Life support systems when they contaminate the spacesuit material increase the body burden though absorption During the settlement of the Moon and Mars could cause it to dissolve quickly resulting through the skin is unlikely. Perchlorate impairs and during long interstellar missions, there will in a sudden death. Furthermore, unknown the proper functioning of the thyroid gland by be the need for a regular supply of oxygen, hazardous bio-engineered material adhering inhibiting the uptake of iodine ions resulting in water and food and efficient and effective to a spacesuit could contaminate an airlock symptoms of lethargy and weight loss. Long- systems to remove and re-cycle waste. and spread rapidly throughout a spacecraft. term reduction in iodine could eventually result During the functioning of these sophisticated The skills of an astronautical hygienist will in goitre and reduced metabolic rates. Eye systems there may be the release of toxic be especially useful to assess the exposure contact with perchlorates and associated dust chemicals into the surrounding environment, health risks when chemicals of unknown could cause eye irritation with symptoms of for example volatile organic chemicals characteristics are discovered. reddening and itchiness. (VOCs) from a series of chemical beds and ion exchange equipment to purify water in Mitigating exposure Lunar dust a settlement or ammoniacal chemicals from To determine the most effective measures Lunar dust or regolith is made up of very refrigeration during long planetary exploration to prevent or control exposure to chemical small particles and if the dust is inhaled when journeys. Their design will need to have in-built and other hazards during working and living removing a spacesuit for example, it could lead extraction systems to remove the released in space, and thereby reduce the risks to to respiratory disease [8]. Because the dust contaminants at source. The use of chemical health, it will be necessary to carry out a risk is highly abrasive skin contact could cause compounds discovered on Mars or other assessment. In most instances, exposure to dermatitis and/or sensitisation and eye contact planets may be used in the regeneration of life the chemical hazards inside a spacecraft or could result in injury leading to conjunctivitis. support systems and produce by-products that space station, will require one or a combination Exposure to lunar dust will become more could be hazardous to health, e.g. polycyclic of mitigation measures to reduce exposure for commonplace as the Moon is colonised and aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). example: the use of local exhaust ventilation effective exposure control will be necessary systems with effective particle/gas/vapour to reduce the health risks such as the wearing Synthetic biology filtration to remove the contaminant(s) at of a “Double Shell Spacesuit” for surface Synthetic biology is the design and engineering source and clean the air before re-cycling exploration.[9]. of novel biologically based systems and the back into the spacecraft [11]; the wearing of Apart from the health effects associated re-design of existing biological systems using specific work designed spacesuits to provide with lunar dust exposure, the regolith will DNA/RNA recombinant technology [10]. maximum protection from dust during EVA have the potential to contaminate equipment The use of such technology will be found and mining operations; the use of water spray and instrumentation that could lead to serious both terrestrially and extra-terrestrially in dust suppression techniques in the airlock to damage. It will therefore be important to particular as it makes it possible to build or remove contaminants from spacesuits and prevent the dust from entering a spacecraft alter biological systems so that bio-engineered equipment; the use of revitalisation systems to

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recover, recycle and distribute the atmospheric gases; and the wearing of suitable gloves to prevent skin exposure when handling hazardous substances.

Conclusions During space travel the astronauts will be exposed to a range of hazards including the chemical. It is important that during the exploration of space that the health risks associated with exposure to the “old” and “new” chemicals are well understood and appropriate measures can be instigated to control them. If not, then the history of Man’s colonisation of space could be one of human tragedy [12].

Dr Cain is a UK Government expert on health risk management and was the first scientist to define the scientific discipline of astronautical Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison “Jack” Schmidt back inside the Lunar Module covered in lunar regolith dust hygiene. which is already known to pose extreme health hazards to future explorers. NASA

References 1. J.R. Cain, “Astronautical hygiene: A new Toxicology, 30, pp.3-18, 2011. 2010. discipline to protect the health of astronauts 5. J.T. James and D.E. Gardner, “Exposure 9. J.R. Cain, “Lunar dust: “The hazard and working in space”, JBIS, 64, pp.179-185, limits for airborne contaminants in astronaut exposure risks”, Earth Moon 2011. spacecraft atmospheres”, Appl Occup Planets, 107, pp.107-125, 2010. 2. A.F. Davila, D. Willson, J. D. Coates Environ Hygiene, 11, pp.1424-1432, 1996. 10. A.A. Cheng and T.K. Lu, “Synthetic biology: and C.P. McKay, “Perchlorate on Mars: 6. M.T. Smith, R. de la Rosa and S. L. Daniels, an emerging engineering discipline”, a chemical hazard and a resource “Using exposomics to assess cumulative Annual review of biomedical engineering, for humans”, International Journal of risks and promote health”, Environmental 14, pp.155-178, 2012. , pp.1-5, 2013. and Molecular mutagenesis, 56, pp.715- 11. J.H. Agui and D.P. Stoker, “NASA lunar 3. J.L. Perry, “A Review of ISS Habitable 723, 2015. filtration and separations workshop report”. Element Equipment Offgassing 7. P.E.J. Baldwin, J.R. Cain, et al., NASA/TM-2009-215821, 2009. Characteristics”, American Institute of “Dehydroabietic acid as a biomarker for 12 J.R. Cain, “Astronaut health – planetary Aeronautics and Astronautices, 2010. exposure to colophony”, Occ Medicine, 57, exploration and the limitations on freedom”, 4. N. Khan-Mayberry, “Space toxicology; pp.362-366, 2007. in The meaning of liberty beyond Earth, protecting human health during space 8. J.R. Cain, “Moondust – a danger to lunar C.S. Cockell (Ed), New York, Springer, operations”, International Journal of explorers”, Spaceflight, 52, pp.60-65, 2014.

An Orion spacecraft mock-up bobs in Atlantic waters. Returning to Earth with samples from other worlds could cause health problems for astronauts and support crew. NASA

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By Jacques van Oene

Soyuz TMA-19M shortly after landing, displaying the effects of re-entry and exposing the landing deceleration rockets. NASA

hat is how British astronaut Tim Peake main chute had opened because if it had not Tim is the eighth ESA astronaut to complete a described the separation of the three he would not have looked as cool as he did”. long-duration mission in space. He is the third, modules that make up the Soyuz after Alexander Gerst and Andreas Mogensen, Tspacecraft during re-entry at his first press Adaptation to fly directly to the European Astronaut Centre conference back on Earth on Tuesday 21 The landing brought Tim Peake’s Principia for medical checks and for researchers to June just three days after his landing at the mission to an end but the research continues. collect more data on how Tim’s body and mind European Astronaut Centre (EAC) in Cologne, Tim Peake, NASA astronaut Tim Kopra and have adapted to living in space. Germany. EAC is the home base of all ESA Russian Soyuz commander Yuri Malenchenko Tim Peake spent his first night back on Earth astronauts. landed in the steppes of Kazakhstan on at the Envihab facility of the DLR German “It does that with a number of pyrotechnic Saturday, 18 June in their Soyuz TMA-19M Aerospace Center, where scientists have bolts that all go off one after the other. These spacecraft after spending 186 days in space. gathered to continue the science programme, bolts are only a few millimetre from your ear collecting data on Tim’s rehabilitation phase. At when they go off” Peake continued. After Tim Peake after a few days getting his land legs the 45 minute press conference an ESA doctor that the capsule goes through the Earth back after six months in weightlessness. was in the room to keep a close eye on Peake, atmosphere slowing down to about 515 mph. Jacques van Oene and upfront everyone was warned that the Then, according to Peake, the most dynamic event could end if the doctor felt Peake could part of the landing happened, deployment of not handle it anymore. But Tim looked very the drogue parachute. well and relaxed and he spoke in a humorous “For 20 seconds you really get flung around relaxed manner to the mainly British reporters in the capsule, so you have to hold on and in the central hall of EAC. wait for it to stop. I was told that it would stop Tim was amazed on how quickly the with a big jolt, meaning main chute open, but human body adapts to a new environment: “I in our case the jolt never came, so the main experienced it when I went up into space, I was chute must have been a very gentle opening. amazed that after only 24 hours in space living So I wasn’t even aware that the main chute aboard the space station how quickly I was had opened. The clock was running and I able to function…It’s a bit slower the other way knew the event times on what should have around and I can tell you it’s a bit harder, but happened and that the main chute should now after three days I’m feeling fantastic”. have been deployed by now. For a second I One of the first questions asked was if Tim was concerned and I looked across at Yuri, would do it again. Without thinking, Peake and he was looking so relaxed, so I knew that replied: “I would do it again in a heartbeat, but

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I have to put family first now for a while, as a father and husband I have to spend time with the family, but working and living aboard the International Space Station is the best place you could possibly, as a professional, wish to be”. Asked by Spaceflight magazine about a possible next mission to space, a long duration mission or an Orion flight to the Moon or a commercial mission, such as SpaceX, Tim Peake answered: “I think as an astronaut any mission is a good mission, so you can’t afford to get fussy. They don’t come around very often, so you take anything you can get. Another long duration mission, absolutely. My dream would have to be lunar exploration. I don’t think any astronaut would turn that down. I’ll be fighting Frank (de Winne, who was sitting next to Tim, ed) for it, but any mission would be a good mission”.

Inspiration Tim Peake appeared relaxed and at ease during his first press conference on 21 June. Talking about some unexpected surprises Jacques van Oene during his mission, Peake told the media that one day he decided to brush his teeth in the like most kids, if you showed them a fire truck ISS later this year) and ESA director for human Cupola module and something incredible they’d be far more excited”. space flight David Parker. happened and he had to take a photograph of it. Unfortunately there was also a reporter David Parker talked about the future of It was a picture of our Milky Way. “Unexpected who just had to ask the toilet question again, Europe in space, starting with the first launch surprises are the best”, he mused. how it felt using a toilet on Earth after so long of the new SLS rocket in 2018 with the first Tim Peake also said that he was delighted in space. Tim simply replied “great” adding: European Orion , the third that he had inspired so many children, to “There are some things you do miss about human rated spacecraft Europe has built give them a look at space and science in a Earth like the toilets”. after Spacelab and Columbus, and a second different way; “I loved every minute of working At the press conference Tim Peake was mission that will follow that flight with astronauts with children on Earth”. This included giving joined by the first European ISS commander, on a round trip to the Moon. In the meantime children in hospitals a virtual tour of the ISS. and now head of the European astronaut European astronauts will continue to serve Talking about his own young children’s centre Frank de Winne, ESA astronaut and on ISS on long duration missions. After that, reactions to dad’s space flight, Peake said his Soyuz MS-03 prime crew member Thomas international human missions sons were aware: “It was a fairly big event, but Pesquet (the next European astronaut to fly to will start with SLS/Orion flights to the Moon and asteroids and comets and Mars in 2030. From left: French ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet (assigned the Expedition 50 mission in November); Spaceflight also spoke with Frank de Winne. UK ESA astronaut Tim Peake; and Belgian ESA astronaut Frank De Winne (two flights and first ESA Asked about future astronaut selections, he commander of an ISS Expedition, now head of the European Astronaut Office). Jacques van Oene said that at the earliest in 2019 there will be a new selection round, depending on ESA member states funding: “If a selection will be held a new group of astronauts will then be announced in 2020 and after two to three years of training the new astronauts will be ready for flights in 2024”. De Winne added that the 2009 astronauts will fly in rotation at least one mission a year. Paolo Nespoli will be the last of the “older” astronauts to fly in 2017 and after that all flights will be for the 2009 class until a (possible) new class is selected and ready to fly. The possibility of European astronauts flying on Orion space missions is still open for discussion with NASA. The fact that ESA is building the Orion Service Module gives it greater leverage on that, with perhaps a reciprocal arrangement of seats for work on the SM.

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Success with ’s broad-based space programme is epitomised by the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) which on 22 June launched a record 22 satellites into orbit. ISRO

n July 2015 in the Russian city of Ufa, half a century after the Moon landings, those by BRICS can have strategic impact beyond a unique organisational structure came imperatives continue to shape international the BRICS nations. together to make a momentous agreement space programmes in pursuit of geopolitical By the second half of the 20th century, the Irepresenting the interests of new space-faring ambitions. group of seven countries (Canada, Japan, nations under the auspices of one of the oldest. However, today many more than just the United Kingdom, United States, France, The organisation is known as BRICS, a term two nations are engaged in routine space Germany and Italy) known as G7 had coined in 2001 referring to , Russia, India operations. This raises the possibility, not developed the world’s leading economies. A and China and , the latter joining available during the 1960s and 1970s, to paper published in 2001 argued that within in 2011. The agreement affirmed the resolve undertake large, complex and costly space the first decade the 21st century, the emerging to “actively engage in the joint application missions as international collaborative economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and of space technologies, satellite navigation, ventures that otherwise would not be possible. South Africa (BRICS) would overtake those of including GLONASS and BeiDou, as well as the G7, introducing profound shifts in global the latest achievements in space science.” Cooperation power, predominantly from the West to the What motivated this initiative? Could it serve Some of today’s pressing challenges facing East. BRICS as a new economic group seeking as a model for international collaboration humanity, such as managing climate change, a greater influence in global economic systems beyond just satellite navigation? With the Ufa finding reusable energy sources, addressing air held its first formal summit on 16 June 2009 in agreement less than a year old, it may be a pollution and securing food and water supplies Russia. The objectives BRICS was set up to tad premature to assess its effectiveness. for an increasing global population can only be fulfil were broad and ambitious. They included However, with most of the BRICS nations now solved by combining capabilities of these new global and strategic challenges that could be having highly developed space programmes of space powers. Could international engagement supported by technical, commercial, political their own, it is an interesting time to assess the established to facilitate collaborative projects in and cultural cooperation. potential collective impact of the BRICS space space help mitigate the risk of hostility, perhaps Cooperation in space represents a small activities on global space exploration. prevent conflict on Earth? element in the scope of BRICS activities. A The spectacular achievements of Sputnik, Although BRICS membership and scope larger framework of cooperation in science and Yuri Gagarin and Neil Armstrong were the of activity is clearly defined, the impact of technology was agreed on 10 February 2014 product of the competing political ideologies decisions facilitated by BRICS is not. Member in South Africa in the MoU on cooperation in that emerged in the aftermath of World War nations have worked jointly on bilateral and Science, Technology and Innovation. Two. The central imperatives that drove those multilayer programmes long before BRICS The MoU outlined four specific aims: (1) To successes were nationalistic in nature – was formally established. Decisions facilitated establish a strategic framework for cooperation prestige, self-sufficiency and security. Almost or inspired by communication channels set up in science, technology and innovation

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amongst the BRICS member countries; (2) To cooperation in the sphere of science, the outset given the enormous scale of the address common global and regional socio- technology and innovation, including the undertaking, not least financial. With only economic challenges in the BRICS member peaceful use of space”. It was reaffirmed in China and Russia having capability in human countries utilising shared experiences and the more comprehensive 2014 BRICS MoU space flight it would have been an unequal complementarities in science, technology and on cooperation in Science, Technology and share of the burden. innovation; (3) To co-generate new knowledge Innovation. A recent example, not from BRICS but and innovative products, services and Hence, by 2015, the national satellite south east Asia illustrates how entrenched processes in the BRICS member countries navigation systems in China and Russia were political differences can block collaborative utilising appropriate funding and investment sufficiently mature to be targeted for a specific programmes. A group of eight countries instruments; and (4) To promote, where collaborative project. In July 2015 in the (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, appropriate, joint BRICS science, technology Russian City of Ufa, the BRICS summit agreed Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and innovation partnerships with other strategic to “actively engage in the joint application in the South Asian Association for Regional actors in the developing world. of space technologies, satellite navigation, Cooperation (SAARC) was established in including GLONASS and BeiDou, as well as 1985. In 2014, a few weeks after his election Projects the latest achievements in space science”. victory, the new Indian PM Narendra Modi The scope and nature of the cooperative offered to launch a communication satellite programmes is still emerging. The priority is No guarantees and make it available to SAARC members. initially with the projects that help support the Despite several successful examples of India would build, launch and operate the underlying BRICS framework outlined in the collaboration between BRICS member satellite and provide one of the 12 Ku-band 2014 MoU. The initial programmes focus on nations, some have not worked out. The transponders to each of the eight SAARC developing structures to address financial, Russian Phobos Grunt, sample return mission member countries without charge. The hosting communication and international strategic to Mars carrying the Chinese Yinghuo-1 nations were responsible for building and challenges. Martian orbiter failed to leave Earth after operating the ground stations. These include a $100 billion BRICS New launch on 9 November 2011. The Fregat Following initial positive interest, in 2016, Development Bank (NDB), with another $100 upper stage malfunctioned, Phobos Grunt Pakistan’s space agency, the Space and billion in reserve to support public or private never left Earth orbit and re-entered two Upper Atmosphere Research Commission projects through loan guarantees. Although months after launch. (SUPARCO), formally withdrew citing concerns founded by the BRICS nations, eventually In 2010, Russia withdrew from a 2007 on the security of the communications through non-BRICS countries will be allowed join. The MoU to assist India in its Human Space Flight a satellite that India controlled. India is now NDB is based in Shanghai with the Indian programme. The joint India and Russia mission proceeding without Pakistan, renaming the industrialist Kundapur Vaman Kamath as to the Moon with an Indian lunar lander and a satellite as “Satellite for SAARC” and not as president appointed in July 2015. It is due to Russian rover collapsed in 2013. India is now originally planned “SAARC Satellite”. start lending operations from late 2016. planning its own lunar lander, rover and orbiter Another programme involves a 34,000 km mission for 2018. Pooling Resources underwater fibre optic communication link In January 2014, a formal announcement It was no accident that navigation satellites connecting the BRICS countries with a 12 Tb/s from Washington extended the life of the were explicitly mentioned in the BRICS Ufa capacity. The programme was announced in International Space Station from 2020 to 2024. agreement in 2015. Of all the space based 2012 and is still in progress. The BRICS cable Until then there was some speculation that assets, perhaps sharing navigation satellites will have connections with West African Cable BRICS may construct an ISS replacement can deliver the highest mutual benefit with System (WACS), Eastern Africa in orbit. The proposal was a non-starter from minimal effort. Cable System (EASSy) and is being built by predominantly African owned submarine cable BRICS leaders come together in 2014. Left to right: (Russia), Narendra Modi (India), operator SEACOM. Dilma Rousseff (Brazil), (China) and Jacob Zuma (South Africa). A third programme involves a Treaty on Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space and of the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects (PPWT). This is a proposal from China and Russia rather than a BRICS objective. This treaty, attempts to prevent deployment of weapons in space. Initially proposed in 2008, an updated draft was presented in 2014. Although considered to be a worthy and noble attempt, major inconsistency and gaps (verification mechanisms, no restrictions on developing ASAT systems on the ground) in the new draft make its formal adoption highly unlikely. The first commitment to specifically collaborate in space came in the 2011 BRICS summit in China. Through the Sanya declaration, BRICS agreed to “explore

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BeiDou (v2.0 in 2013), India for IRNSS (v1.0 in 2014), European Union for Galileo (v1.2 in 2015), USA for GPS (version H in 2013) and Russia for Glonass (version 5.1 in 2008). As a result it is now possible to buy a single handset that can receive and process signals from multiple (Beidou, Galileo and Glonass) satellites. Traditionally, a minimum of four satellites from a constellation of about 30 was necessary to get prompt and accurate position. In the not too distant future, there may be 30 satellites overhead from a constellation of over 100.

World watch During a meeting in New Delhi between 11 nations with active space programmes in early April 2016, a proposal from India was tabled for a virtual constellation of remote sensing satellites (i.e. a collection of existing satellites in orbit) to assist with climate change. It was accepted by all BRICS nations. The proposal has yet to be precisely defined but in principle, data from a virtual constellation of Indian and Chinese remote sensing satellites is pooled to help India and China implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. India already operates a sophisticated remote sensing satellite constellation and supporting this proposal will not be trivial but neither will it be a burden. Traditionally seen as rivals, that China has accepted India’s proposal to collaborate is significant and potentially sets An overview of the COSPAS-SARSAT system. COSPAS-SARSAT the scene for additional collaborative projects in the future. A navigation satellite orbits the globe cooperation for mutual benefit between nations Cooperative projects established long before covering all nations not just the one that on matters of civilian use of Global Navigation BRICS was formed are today being sustained launched it. The larger the number of satellites Satellite Systems (GNSS) resources since by it. For example, in 1988 China and Brazil visible overhead the better positional accuracy 2005. Although it has not yet achieved its signed an agreement to jointly research and and a more reliable service it can offer. Unlike vision of “best satellite-based positioning, produce the China-Brazil Earth Resources GLONASS and BeiDou, the Indian Regional navigation and timing for peaceful uses for Satellites (CBERS). The agreement included a Satellite Navigation (IRNSS – operationally everybody, anywhere, anytime” there has been joint Brazilian-Chinese production of satellites known as NAVIC from NAVigation with progress. Both Russia and China have set up that China would launch. Two of the satellites Indian Constellation) is not global but ground stations outside their national borders CBERS-1 and 2 were launched in 1999 and regional. It consists of seven satellites, including Pakistan, Thailand, Antarctica and 2003. A further two, CBERS-3 and 4 were three in geostationary Earth orbit and four in Brazil. Russia and China have mutually agreed launched in 2013 and 2014. An additional geosynchronous Earth orbit. Coverage spans to host ground stations for reciprocal use of two CBERS-4A and 4B are due for launch in mainland India and 1,500 km beyond its GNSS. 2016 and 2018, respectively facilitated by the coastline. IRNSS has some coverage of China International agreement for GNSS standards strengthening BRICS relationship marking and Russian landmass but none for South and interoperability have been established. 30 years of collaboration between China and Africa or Brazil. In time, all GNSS systems will be able to Brazil. Beidou has had regional coverage over interoperate, not just those of the BRICS. In addition to China, Brazil has collaborated China since 2012 and is now global with 20 The release of an Interface Control Document in space with nations including Russia, USA, satellites in orbit. China plans to extend this (ICD), containing technical specifications to Japan and India. In 2015, Brazil withdrew constellation by launching another 15 satellites the public domain by the Navigation Satellite from the Brazilian-Ukrainian project to use the by 2020. The Russian GLONASS satellite System (NSS) host nation is a prerequisite for Ukrainian Cyclone-4 launch vehicle from its navigation system is almost complete with 27 interoperability. The ICD allows manufactures Alcântara Launch Centre. A project originally of the eventual 29 satellites already in orbit. of satellite receivers to build the hardware to started in early 2002, Cyclone-4 is designed The UN sponsored International Committee receive and process signals from the satellites to carry 5.3 tonnes to low Earth orbit (LEO) on Global Navigation Satellite Systems in space. and 1.6 tonnes to geosynchronous transfer (abbreviated to ICG) has been promoting ICDs have been released by China for orbit. It was a commercial programme

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from the outset bringing together Ukraine’s Currently there are four operational SBAS cooperation and Development and NATO) substantial experience in launch vehicles networks around the world. The USA’s from which the BRICS emerged, now it and a conveniently located Brazilian launch Wide Area Augmented System (WAAS) and will be the interdependency between the centre on the equator. However, following a Europe’s European Geostationary Navigation BRICS nations that will drive their success government reassessment Brazil concluded Overlay Service (EGNOS) are certified by the outside the dominance of those bureaucratic that the commercial case could no longer International Civil Aviation Organisation to offer monoliths. be made and withdrew from the agreement. Precision Approach. Japan’s Multi-functional Some human endeavours are only As a result of the closer relationship forged Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS) and possible through large scale satellite based by BRICS, Russia may step in to replace India’s GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation international collaborative services, such Ukraine. (GAGAN) are certified to Non Precision as satellite search and rescue (COSPAS- Approach. SARSAT), navigation for civil aviation (SBAS) People watch Russia’s System for Differential Correction or a truly global GPS. In science, projects Satellite based Search and Rescue is another and Monitoring (SDCM) and China’s Satellite such as CERN, the 30 m Telescope and example where only international collaboration Navigation Augmentation System (SNAS) the Human Genome Project could not have on a global scale can enable a worldwide are currently in development. BRICS succeeded had individual countries attempted service. The Search and Rescue Satellite enabled cooperation will help expedite it alone. Without collaboration between the System (COSPAS-SARSAT) consists of SDCM and SNAS certification and provide US, the , Japan, 11 satellites and 76 ground stations in 50 the most accurate global guidance service Russia and other nations, the most successful countries. COSPAS-SARSAT was established for aircraft the world has ever known and human collaborative project in space, the in 1979 long before BRICS but today the without charge. International Space Station would not have BRICS alliance is ideally placed to help sustain been possible. and perhaps grow it. With almost two million A push for peace The impact of having the ISS up there transmitters in aircraft, ships and personal use Despite its science, technology and space is having a profound consequences down around the world, a rescue can be initiated focus, BRICS is a political construct. It was here. Collaboration between US and Russia minutes after activation at any time anywhere established to diminish the economic, political demanded by the ISS has survived despite on Earth. Since the early 1980s almost 12,000 and financial influence primarily of the G7 but some profound political disagreements on individuals have been assisted by SARSAT specifically the USA. Whether it is the GPS, Earth. On cosmonauts day 12 April 2016, through 40,000 incidents. the World Bank, International Monetary Fund Prime Minister Putin in a live call to the ISS, The US’s GPS provides positional or the international high speed communication asserting that “In spite of any difficulties that information with remarkable accuracy cables, the BRICS nations’ primary desire is to we are encountering on Earth, people are anywhere on the planet for most applications. reduce their reliance on the West. working in space shoulder to shoulder, hand in However, that accuracy is not sufficient to meet Collaborative ventures not only enable hand. They help each other and tackle crucial the internationally agreed Safety-of-Life criteria projects that otherwise could not happen, tasks that face not only our countries, but also required by the civil aviation sector. Errors in the deepening relationships between nations all mankind”. GPS signals can arise from variations in the that organisations such as BRICS foster International cooperation is essential for on-board GPS clock, the satellite’s position in have an influence beyond the confines of large, complex and expensive projects on orbit or signal travel time from orbit to Earth their initial objectives. BRICS nations are Earth and space. That same cooperation caused by fluctuations in the ionosphere using their growing economies to challenge plays a critical role in maintaining international resulting from variable . the dominance of the established Western relationships on Earth. International A Satellite Based Augmented System nations. Ironically, it was the dependency collaboration through BRICS and other groups (SBAS) provides an enhanced and reliable on the Western organisations (such as the will not only make future mission to the Moon, GPS signal for use by the civil aviation sector. International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Mars and beyond possible but play a critical SBAS uses a GPS supported by real-time European Union, Organisation for Economic role in maintaining peace on Earth. corrections, calculated by multiple ground Key elements of the global integrated navigation programmes. Thales Group stations whose positions are fixed and known to high precision. The ground stations use GPS to determine their position and can thus calculate the errors in the GPS signals in real time. These errors are transmitted to SBAS receivers on aircraft up to five times a second from satellites in . SBAS can replace the traditional Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) used by autopilots particularly in complex terrains, at night or in difficult weather conditions. ILS has to be built around airports and individual runways. SBAS makes no such demands on an airport infrastructure. The dependency on geostationary satellites and associated ground stations require that individual countries or regions build SBAS.

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Satellite Digest is Spaceflight’s regular listing of world space launches. It is prepared by Geoff Richards using orbital data from Satellite Digest-524 the United States Strategic Command Space-Track.Org website.

Spacecraft International Date Launch Vehicle Mass Orbital Inclin. Period Perigee Apogee Notes Designation Site kg Epoch deg min km km Kosmos 2517 2016-034A Jun 4.58 Plesetsk Rokot-Briz-KM 900 Jun 4.78 99.28 104.00 937 962 [1] Intelsat 31 2016-035A Jun 9.30 Baykonur Proton-M-Briz-M 6,450 Jul 1.53 0.13 1,436.03 35,776 35,798 [2] USA 268 2016-036A Jun 11.74 ETR Delta 4H 6,000? Jun 28.93 7.50 1,436.04 35,594 35,981 [3] Beidou DW23 2016-037A Jun 12.65 Xichang Chang Zheng 3C 4,600 Jun 24.66 1.84 1,435.96 35,777 35,795 [4] ABS 2A 2016-038A Jun 15.60 ETR Falcon 9FT 1,944 Jun 15.32 24.68 1,221.84 397 62,602 [5] 117 West B 2016-038B 2,205 Jun 15.75 24.68 1,225.46 398 62,751 [6] BRIsat 2016-039A Jun 18.90 CSG Ariane-5ECA 3,540 Jun 24.64 0.07 1,436.14 35,702 35,876 [7] EchoStar 18 2016-039B 6,300 Jun 30.21 0.05 1,436.02 35,777 35,797 [8] Cartosat 2s 2016-040A Jun 22.16 SHAR PSLV-XL 728 Jun 22.36 97.50 94.78 501 519 [9] SathyabamaSat 2016-040B 2 Jun 24.66 97.51 94.78 500 519 [10] SkySat 3 2016-040C 110 Jun 22.36 97.51 94.74 500 515 [11] GHGSat-D 2016-040D 26 Jun 22.36 97.50 94.70 500 512 [12] LAPAN A3 2016-040E 120 Jun 22.43 97.51 94.76 501 517 [13] BIROS 2016-040F 130 Jun 22.43 97.51 94.76 500 517 [14] M3MSat 2016-040G 85 Jun 22.42 97.51 94.74 500 516 [15] Flock 2p-6 2016-040H 5 Jun 22.42 97.51 94.73 501 513 [16] Swayam 2016-040J 1 Jun 25.11 97.51 94.77 500 519 [17] Flock 2p-11 2016-040K 5 Jun 28.80 97.50 94.73 500 514 [16] Flock 2p-2 2016-040L 5 Jun 28.80 97.50 94.73 500 515 [16] Flock 2p-9 2016-040M 5 Jun 28.41 97.50 94.73 500 514 [16] Flock 2p-4 2016-040N 5 Jun 28.14 97.51 94.72 500 514 [16] Flock 2p-10 2016-040P 5 Jun 28.14 97.51 94.72 500 514 [16] Flock 2p-8 2016-040Q 5 Jun 28.68 97.51 94.72 500 514 [16] Flock 2p-12 2016-040R 5 Jun 28.68 97.51 94.72 499 514 [16] Flock 2p-7 2016-040S 5 Jun 28.68 97.51 94.72 500 514 [16] Flock 2p-5 2016-040T 5 Jun 28.40 97.51 94.72 500 514 [16] Flock 2p-1 2016-040U 5 Jun 28.68 97.51 94.72 500 514 [16] Flock 2p-3 2016-040V 5 Jun 28.68 97.51 94.72 500 514 [16] MUOS 5 2016-041A Jun 24.60 ETR Atlas V 551 6,740 Jul 4.94 9.83 942.75 15,243 35,703 [18] DFFC/Tianyuan 1 2016-042A Jun 25.50 Wenchang Chang Zheng 7 10,000? Jun 25.69 40.81 91.10 288 381 [19] Aoxiang Zhixing 2016-042B 18 Jun 25.69 40.80 91.06 289 377 [20] Aolong 1 2016-042F 500? Jun 25.80 40.81 90.21 202 380 [21] Tiange 1 2016-042L 50? Jun 29.95 40.77 90.09 280 291 [22] Tiange 2 2016-042M 50? Jun 29.95 40.83 90.11 279 293 [22] Shijian 16-02 2016-043A Jun 29.14 Jiuquan Chang Zheng 4B 1,500? Jun 29.72 75.00 96.77 596 616 [23] Notes 1. Geo-IK-2 or Musson 2 (12L) is a dual civil/military geodesy satellite built using a Uragan-M bus by ISS Reshetnev for MORF. Payload includes a Sadko 2 radar altimeter, precision radio tracking systems, GPS and GLONASS receivers and laser retroreflectors. 2. Telecommunications and direct broadcast satellite using an SS/L 1300 bus, launched by ILS for Intelsat. Mass quoted above is at launch. The satellite is located over 132°W for test and will be located at 95.1°W to provide a service to Central and South America, replacing . Most of the capacity is leased to DirecTV Latin America as DLA 2. 3. Classified satellite, also known as NROL-37, is possibly the seventh Mentor signals intelligence payload with a very large deployable antenna, launched for NRO by ULA. Mass quoted above is estimated on station. Orbit given above, over 103°E for test, is that observed by amateur trackers. 4. Beidou, or Compass G7, is a navigation satellite using a CAST DFH-3A bus. Mass quoted above is at launch. Satellite is located over 144°E. 5. Telecommunications and direct broadcast satellite built using a Boeing 702SP bus and launched by SpaceX for ABS to replace ABS 2. Mass quoted is at launch. Satellite will be located over 75°E to provide service to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Russia and India. This satellite and Eutelsat 117 West B will take several months to manoeuvre from transfer orbits given to geostationary orbits using electric propulsion. 6. Telecommunications and direct broadcast satellite built using a Boeing 702SP bus for Eutelsat Americas to replace . Mass quoted is at launch. Satellite will be located over 116.8°W to provide service to Latin America. 7. Bank Rakyat Indonesia Satellite telecommunications satellite built using an SS/L 1300 bus, launched by for BRI. Mass quoted above is at launch, dry mass is 1,800 kg. The satellite is located over 150.5°E for bank network service to Indonesia and eastern Asia. 8. Echostar direct broadcast satellite using an SS/L 1300 bus, launched for DISH Network. Mass quoted above is at launch. The satellite is located over 67°W for test and will be located at 110°W to provide a TV broadcast service to the USA including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. 9. Cartosat 2 Series is a mapping and Earth resources satellite for ISRO, carrying multispectral and panchromatic high-resolution pushbroom

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imagers. Its orbit is co-planar with that of the Cartosat 2, 2A and 2B constellation, but at lower altitude for better resolution. 10. Sathyabama Satellite, an educational and Earth survey 2U Cubesat built by students at Sathyabama University, Chennai, is carrying an infra-red spectrometer (ARGOS 1000) for greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. 11. Sky Satellite Gen2-1 Earth survey satellite built by Space Systems/Loral for Terra Bella (formerly Skybox Imaging) is carrying a high-resolution panchromatic and multi-spectral scanner for Earth resources imaging. 12. Greenhouse Gas Satellite Demonstrator, also known as Claire, is an Earth survey satellite built using a new NEMO (Next-generation Earth Monitoring and Observation) bus by the University of Toronto for GHGSat Inc. and is carrying an infra-red imaging interferometer to monitor sources of greenhouse gases and a visible and infra-red hyperspectral camera for clouds and aerosols. 13. LAPAN A3 is a technology development satellite built by LAPAN and is carrying an AIS receiver to track shipping, a four-band visible/infra-red multispectral scanner (MSI) and a high-resolution camera (DSC) for Earth imaging for IPB (Institute Pertanian Bogor or Bogor Agricultural University). 14. Berlin (or Bi-spectral) InfraRed Optical System is an Earth survey satellite built using an Astrofein TET-X bus by Kayser-Threde for DLR and is carrying a visible and two infra-red cameras (FireBIRD) to detect fires, an OSIRIS laser communications system, an OrbComm communications system, an SPL deployer for BEESat 4, a camera, a UHF inter-satellite link and a nitrogen gas orbit control system for proximity operations with BEESat. Berlin Experimental and Educational Satellite is a 1U Cubesat for technology test built by Technical University of Berlin and is carrying a micro-camera for Earth pictures and a UHF inter-satellite link. 15. Maritime Monitoring and Messaging Micro-satellite is a communications technology satellite built using an AIM bus by Com Dev for the CSA and Defence Research and Development Canada and is carrying two AIS receivers to monitor shipping traffic for exactEarth as EV-7, a transponder for low data rate communications and a monitor (DDCM) for satellite electrical charging. 16. Flock 2p constellation of 12 Dove 3U Cubesats built by Planet (formerly ) are each carrying a visible/infra-red camera for Earth observation. 17. Swayam, an educational 1U Cubesat built by students at College of Engineering Pune (COEP), is carrying a UHF amateur-band store-and- forward transponder for communications. 18. Mobile User Objective System (SV-3) military telecommunications satellite built using a Lockheed A2100 bus and launched by ULA for the US . Mass quoted is at launch, dry mass is 3,812 kg. Manoeuvring to geostationary orbit halted by an undisclosed anomaly, leaving satellite in orbit given above, as observed by amateur trackers. It was reportedly to be stationed over 172°W for test. Planned as in-orbit spare, in an orbit rumoured to be over the . 19. Test launch of new CALT Chang Zheng 7 launch vehicle with upgraded YZ-1A upper stage. YZ-1A carried out several burns to deploy payloads, put DFFC on re-entry trajectory, return to orbit with Tianyuan 1 and finally de-orbit payload stack June 27. Payload stack initially included Duoyongtu Feichuan Fanhui Cang (Multipurpose Subscale Spacecraft Return Capsule), a 2,800 kg scaled model of a planned Next Generation Crew Vehicle with a re-entry communications experiment. DFFC landed June 26.32 in Badain Jaran Desert after gathering re-entry aerodynamic data and demonstrating detachable heat shield for capsule re-usability. Remaining payload wasTianyuan 1 or Zai Guijia Zhu Shiyan Zhuangzhi (In-Orbit Refuelling Experimental Device), a 130 kg experiment built by National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) with instrumented tanks with TV cameras, which was attached to the YZ-1A upper stage together with a large ballasted cylinder to represent a space station cargo module. Tianyuan 1 successfully completed programme of refuelling exercises. First launch from new Wenchang space launch centre, Hainan Island. 20. Aoxiang Zhixing, or Star of Aoxiang, is a technology development 12U Cubesat built by Northwestern Polytechnical University carrying a polarised light detector for optical navigation test. 21. Aolong 1 (Travelling Dragon) or ADRV (Advanced Debris Recovery Vehicle) is a technology demonstration satellite built by Harbin Institute of Technology for CALT to demonstrate removal of space debris, with a robotic arm for performance test and a rendezvous guidance system. Scheduled to release target objects. 22. Tiange Feixingqi (Columba or Dove) are a pair of communication technology satellites built by Beijing Aerospace Long March Institute each with transponders for inter-satellite communications. Successfully tested target identification and advanced communications and control techniques. 23. Technology development satellite built by SAST, possibly using an FY-1 bus. Mission is “space environment measurement and technology testing”. Orbital plane is 90° from that of Shijian 16-01.

Additions and Updates Designation Comments 1978-062A GOES 3 was manoeuvred off station at 102°W June 16 and is drifting to the west. It has been decommissioned. 1995-016A Brasilsat B2 was manoeuvred off station at 63.1°W June 20 and is drifting to the west. 1997-002A AMC 2 was manoeuvred off station at 80.85°W June 21 and was relocated at 84.85°W June 28. 1997-061A Cassini performed its 121st targeted fly-by of Titan, passing 975 km from the satellite, on June 7.59. 1997-069D Iridium 39 began manoeuvring to lower orbit June 18 and is possibly being retired. 1998-050A 2A was relocated at 113.5°E June 24. 2001-009A 4 (USA 157) has been relocated from 152°E to 111°E, according to amateur trackers. 2002-015B was manoeuvred off station at 176.85°W June 16 and is drifting to the east. 2002-051A lost power from its second solar panel last October and is no longer operational. 2002-062A Nimiq 2 was manoeuvred off station at 148°E June 25 and is drifting to the west. 2004-018A FormoSat 2 lost a second reaction wheel June 21, effectively ending its mission. 2004-031A Amazonas 1 was manoeuvred off station at 55.5°W June 3 and is drifting to the east. 2007-043A Dawn formally completed its primary mission June 30, but continues in operation to monitor Ceres for any changes. 2007-065C Kosmos 2436 (Uragan-M 723) in GLONASS slot 11 was placed in reserve June 24. 2011-040A Juno crossed the boundary into the Jovian magnetosphere June 24. 2011-048A Kosmos 2473 (Garpun 11L) was relocated at 13.5°W June 30. 2012-059A Beidou DW16 (G6) was relocated from 80°E to 84°E about June 28. 2015-065B Badr 7 was manoeuvred off station at 39°E June 6 and relocated back at 26°E June 23. 2015-076A Soyuz TMA-19M crewed by Malenchenko, Kopra and Peake undocked from the ISS/Rassvet port June 18.24 and landed near Zhezkazgan in Kazakhstan June 18.39. 2015-083A 4 was declared operational June 13. 2016-013A SES 9 was declared operational June 1.

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2016-019A Rick Husband was unberthed from ISS/Unity on June 14.49 using the ISS arm and released June 14.56. Carried out Saffire 1 onboard fire experiment June 15 and deployed four of the five Lemur 2 Cubesats in external NRCSD-E deployers June 21. Lemur 2 Beccadewey failed to deploy. Spacecraft was de-orbited over the Pacific Ocean June 22.53. It carried the REBR-W2 re- entry breakup experiment, but no data was received. Previously deployed Cubesats have been identified as 1998-067JF Lemur 2 Theresacondor, 1998-067JJ Lemur 2 Nick-Allain, 1998-067JK Lemur 2 Kane, 1998-067JL Lemur 2 Jeff, 1998-067JT Flock 2e’-8 and 1998-067JU Flock 2e’-7. Add objects and orbits: Lemur 2 Bridgeman 2016-019B Jun 21.71 51.64° 92.29 min 389 km 394 km Lemur 2 DrMuzz 2016-019C Jun 21.70 51.64° 92.29 min 388 km 395 km Lemur 2 Nate 2016-019D Jun 21.64 51.64° 92.29 min 389 km 394 km Lemur 2 Cubecheese 2016-019E Jun 21.77 51.64° 92.29 min 389 km 394 km 2016-028A JCSat 14 was manoeuvred off its test station at 175.5°E June 3 and relocated at 154°E, co-located with JCSat 2A, June 19 for service as JCSat 2B from July 6. 2016-031A was stationed at 78.5°E, co-located with Thaicom 5 and Thaicom 6, June 22. Add orbit: Jun 23.03 0.03° 1,436.07 min 35,781 km 35,794 km 2016-032A Kosmos 2516 (Uragan-M 753) manoeuvred to slot 11 of the GLONASS constellation by June 15 and was declared operational June 27. Add orbit: Jun 15.76 64.81° 675.70 min 19,105 km 19,156 km 2016-033A 3-02 has manoeuvred to to its operational orbit, phased 180° from Ziyuan 3-01. Add orbit: Jun 19.42 97.50° 94.63 min 501 km 504 km

International Space Station activity There was the following orbital manoeuvre of ISS during June, boosted by Progress MS-02: Pre-manoeuvre orbit: Jun 8.23 51.64° 92.52 min 402 km 404 km Post-manoeuvre orbit: Jun 8.87 51.64° 92.54 min 403 km 404 km End-of-June orbital data: Jun 30.99 51.64° 92.52 min 402 km 404 km

Recently detailed orbital decays International Object name Decay Designation Launched at 07:10 UTC on 9 June, the 1998-067GG Flock 1e-4 Jun 23.9 Intelsat 31 satellite separated from the 1998-067GK Flock 1e-8 Jun 22.71 Briz-M upper stage at 22:41 UTC and signal 1998-067GL Flock 1e-5 Jun 20.5 acquisition was obtained soon after. Built 2015-076A Soyuz TMA-19M Jun 18.39 by Space Systems Loral, Intelsat 31 is a 2016-019A Rick Husband Jun 22.56 C-band and Ku-band satellite built to enhance services to Latin America including DTH for 2016-042 DFFC Jun 26.32 Pan Americana. It will be co-located with 2016-042A Tianyuan 1 Jun 27 Galaxy 3C and Intelsat 30 at 95.1 deg W. Intelsat

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e mourn the recent loss of three although this mission never came about. Later, (Diamond), the first exclusively-built French tireless and highly respected he was appointed the Assistant Director of space launch vehicle, and worked there from champions in the cause of space the Future Projects Office of 1965 to 1972 in the industrial design office. After Wflight: Hartmut E. Sänger, Dr. Harry O. Ruppe, the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center at conducting various activities in the space field, and Dr. Hervé Moulin, each a European but Huntsville. he resumed his academic studies in law but, in with a strong international contribution to the In April 1966, Dr. Ruppe was transferred 1990, created his own company, Hervé Moulin field of astronautics. to the Technical University of Munich where International (HMI), and undertook consulting he became head of their newly established press and documentary work for CNES (the For Austria Department of Astronautics and was French Space Agency), ESA, Arianespace, Hartmut Egon Sänger, who suddenly passed afterwards advanced to the position of and the International Astronautical Federation away on 17 December 2015, was the only professor. He also founded the Laboratory (IAF). child of the great Austrian rocketry and for the Study of in the Planetary Hervé belonged to and was active in multiple astronautics pioneer, Dr. Eugen Sänger, System. Dr. Professor Ruppe was likewise space organizations and became a member considered as the father of the acclaimed for a number of influential books in of the International Academy of Astronautics concept, and Dr. Irene Sänger-Bredt, who had the field, includingIntroduction to Astronautics (IAF). He notably contributed to their been his assistant mathematician and was a (Vol. I, in 1966, and Vol. 2 in 1967); The Education and History committees. In 1999 pioneer in astronautics in her own right. (See, Limitless Dimension — Space (1986) and he also founded the French Institute of Space Spaceflight, Vol. 53, No 6, p. 243.) others. From 1995 to 2004, Professor Dr. History (IFHE) and served as its first Secretary Hartmut Sänger, who was born in Paris in Ruppe was the President of the Hermann- General. In 2012, he earned a doctorate, his 1952, also embraced the field of astronautics Oberth Spaceflight Museum in Feucht, thesis titled “ of France, 1945- and became a major aerospace journalist in Germany, near Munich. 1975,” which was based upon ten years of Germany and the author of the book, Ein Leben research. fur die Raumfahrt, Erinnerungen an Prof. For France His papers and other publications are varied Dr.-Ing.Eugen A. Sänger (A Life for Space, Dr. Hervé Moulin, who died on 7 April 2016, and among his latest activities he was working Remembering Prof. Dr.-Ing. Eugen A. Sänger), devoted his life to space and space history. towards an updated index (covering 2001 to a biography of his father. Hartmut also served Born in 1946, Hervé was initially an electrician 2015) of the IAF History Symposia papers as the Deputy Editor of the largest German by training but in 1962 became a member of presented from 1967 to 2000. His compilation aerospace magazine, Raumfahrt Concret, the Club Spatial International. He started his of his annotated index, appeared as Vol. 31 of and made significant and regular contributions career in the French aerospace organization the AAS History Series, published by Univelt, towards it, particularly in the fields of rocket of SEREB, then developing the Diamant Inc., in 2009. technology. In addition, Hartmut contributed his services A model of the Sänger II spaceplane concept exhibited in the Technik Museum, Speyer, Germany. towards the Technik (Technology) Museum in Technik Museum Speyer, Germany, and donated a considerable amount of material from his own collection on his father.

For Germany Harry Oskar Ruppe, who passed away on 12 March 2016, was born in 1929 in Leipzig, Germany and later studied at the Neuen Nikolaischule in Leipzig, studying theoretical physics, while in 1950 he enrolled in the Technical University in Berlin and eventually, in 1963, received a doctorate at the same school with a thesis on the costs of manned Mars space flights. From 1957, he was employed at Redstone Arsenal, at Huntsville, Alabama, USA, as a member of the team of . From 1959 to 1960 he served as Project Manager for the Pioneer 3 and Pioneer 4 space probes while from 1963 to 1966 he headed the projected EMPIRE (Early Manned Planetary Round Trip Experiment) Mars flyby mission,

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FLASHBACK – September 1966

A regular feature looking back 50 years this month

ast month we reflected on the the Apollo Applications Program (AAP) which exploration of the Moon, which has proven to challenges to the Apollo programme would culminate in two 14-day stays on the have been crucial to the way in which the Earth as management teams wrestled with surface and one or two Surveyors and a single itself evolved in a completely different way to Lproblems at the spacecraft contractor North Lunar Orbiter each year from 1970. Phase 3 other terrestrial planets. American, compounded by concerns that would support a single 90-day lunar surface The argument is a powerful one, echoed only funding was in decline and that NASA had to stay for three astronauts and Phase 4 would recently by Christopher Kraft, Flight Director face the very real prospect of no human space establish a semi-permanent scientific base. from Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programmes flight programme after the initial Moon landings. Fifty years ago this seemed a reasonable and former director of the Johnson Space This month, a counter to that gloomy outlook plan, despite a fall in the annual budget now Center. Kraft believes that the challenges of presented a bold roadmap to comprehensive that the agency had peaked on funding for living and working off-planet are great and that and sustained exploration of the lunar surface. development of Apollo. To those working the the Moon is an ideal place to explore while During this month in 1966, several separate mainstream Apollo effort to get men on the learning ways of managing the movement of working groups met at NASA headquarters in Moon, none of this filtered through, despite space vehicles on and off the surfaces of other Washington, DC, and on 23 September they trade journals and specialist magazines worlds. presented their conclusions about the future for focusing on the development of a surface base Maintaining a safe and productive surface scientific research on the Moon. The agency after initial landings. The core concept tracked base and learning all the nuances of flight had already launched Ranger spacecraft taking potential improvements and Lunar Module life- planning and mission management that close-up views of the surface prior to impact, extension concepts which all formed part of the underpins safe and secure space-based the first Lunar Orbiter spacecraft to circle the Apollo Applications Program. activities is an essential first step toward Moon taking pictures of potential landing sites, The relevance of this today is that the basic Mars, says Kraft, while emphasising that the and the first of several Surveyor soft-landers to methodology remains valid 50 years on and outstanding success of recent Mars missions, sample the surface. those who advocate a “Moon first” approach including orbiters and landers, makes it much The working groups wanted to develop to deep-space exploration would point to this more practicable and economical to use robotic Moon exploration in four distinct phases: the as a template for expanding scientific research vehicles and spacecraft until proper techniques first phase, already under way with these through establishment of a base similar to are learned for long flights by humans to Mars. unmanned spacecraft, would culminate with those at several locations on Antarctica. There initial landings by astronauts; the second exists a powerful reason for establishing an 2 September 1966 phase would be realised, they said, through off-planet capability through the scientific In the USSR, several crew allocations were made this day, optimistically including short- Christopher C. Kraft has recently come out in support of a Moon-first approach to deep-space listed candidates for the first manned landing exploration. NASA on the Moon by a Russian spacecraft. The team included Alexei Leonov, Yuri Gagarin, Viktor Gorbatko, Yevgeny Khrunov, Andrian Nikolayev and Vladimir Shatalov. Over time it has been said that Leonov was “the” chosen cosmonaut to make the first Soviet landing but this is an urban myth. Several candidates were in the loop, although the probability that it would have been Leonov was always more than 50%. To this year the architecture of the Russian space programme had been in the hands of , a position within the patronage of Khrushchev but at odds with his arch rival and competitor Vladimir Chelomei. Korolev’s premature death at the age of 59 due to a bungled surgical operation on 14 January 1966 put Vasily Mishin at the head of his design bureau. The year saw many changes as Russian space engineers prepared to shift from the Voskok/Voskhod era to the Soyuz spacecraft and planned flights around the Moon and to its surface. Never again would the Russian space

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programme have the patronage of the top “Pete” Conrad and Richard “Dick” Gordon, man and the rapid shift to control by the the manned spacecraft rendezvoused with military brought a complex and interwoven its target within one orbit. This so-called M=1 set of conflicting priorities and pressures. Like procedure simulated the fast ascent of a Lunar President Kennedy, Premier Khrushchev had Module Ascent Stage from the surface of the never been interested in space exploration but Moon to meet with the Apollo spacecraft in quickly same to see it and to use it as a political lunar orbit. tool. But in 1966 there was still hope that the After a successful docking and a short EVA, hammer and sickle would be carried to the on the second mission day the Agena’s primary Moon ahead of the stars and stripes. propulsion system was fired for 94 seconds, On this day, a short list of crews for the raising apogee of the docked vehicles to an circumlunar mission using Chelomei’s Proton altitude of 1,372 km (853 mls). This remains rocket were decided. They included Komarov today the altitude record for crewed vehicles (team lead), Bykovsky, Dobrovolski, Kolodin, in Earth orbit. Demonstration of high-altitude Volynov, Voronov and Zholobov. Candidates capabilities using the Agena PPS had for Earth-orbiting flights with the new Soyuz previously been conducted on the Gemini X spacecraft would include a team led by mission launched on 18 July when John Young Gagarin and including Bykovsky, Gorbatko, and Michael Collins had achieved an altitude of Landsat 7, still operating after more than 17 Khrunov, Kolodin, Komarov, Nikolayev and 763 km (474 mls). years and one of the group of remote sensing Voronov. This too would fall foul of internecine The significance of this mission, and satellites which represent the longest running competition and technical difficulties, leaving others in the year in question, for the space space programme of its category. NOAA the Americans to fly to Moon orbit ahead of programmes of today concerns the different Russian cosmonauts. ways to achieve rendezvous under varying Earth imagery was self-evident, the Air Force, Within the Soviet crew selection structure, circumstances. The concept of chasing down the National Reconnaissance Office and the there was no linear line-up within which another vehicle in space is simple enough in CIA raised concerns about the availability of individual cosmonauts migrated through theory but proved counter-intuitive in reality. pictures freely available to countries around previously named crew teams, as there was Without the different techniques and trajectory the world. with the NASA programmes. Decisions were, design profiles researched in practice during Fifty years ago satellite industries were and still are, made very close to the launch Gemini the whole success of Apollo would growing in countries across Europe but day and can shift according to presentation have been in doubt. All subsequent rendezvous America was the only state capable of of readiness after examinations and training procedures built upon the lessons learned in launching satellites for non-US customers. results are compared. As for the Moon landing this programme. The availability of Earth imaging satellites itself, the Russians were almost three years could destabilise countries around the world by behind the Americans in getting a start on their 20 September 1966 providing an advantage over the US. The result programme and would never catch up. US Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. was agreement to go ahead with EROS but US Udall announced that NASA would be the government licenses to fly such satellites for 12 September 1966 prime agency responsible for a new type of civilian purposes restricted optical instruments The penultimate Gemini mission got under applications satellite, one which could use providing images with a ground resolution of way with the launch of an Agena target vehicle digital imaging technology to provide an Earth less than 50 m (164 ft). followed 97 minutes later by the Gemini XI Resources Observation Satellite (EROS). The restriction also applied to reimbursable spacecraft in hot pursuit. Crewed by Charles William T. Pecora, the Director of the US launches and prohibited countries building Geological Survey (USGS) would be in charge their own satellites with more than 2% of The launch of Gemini XI in September 1966, with of the project. The use of satellites for imaging equipment provided by US companies from the SA-500F Saturn V facilities check-out vehicle the Earth had great benefits for rich and poor on LC-39A in the background. NASA being launched on US rockets, which in 1966 countries alike and the EROS programme implied just about all. With the nod from the was seen as a means of sharing useful and military and US national security agencies, the productive data to assist in better land and EROS programme gradually moved forward resource management. But there was a and became the Earth Resource Technology problem. Pictures of land areas could be used Satellite (ERTS) programme, until ERTS got to assist rogue states and give undesirable the more catchy title Landsat, the first of which advantages to enemies. would be launch in July 1972. Satellite technology developed for the US In 1979 Landsat was transferred from NASA reconnaissance and surveillance satellites to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric provided a research and development platform Administration (NOAA) and is the longest from which new and exciting possibilities running Earth resource satellite programme. emerged. While it would be a while before But Landsat had a knock-on effect. Angered digital services provided high resolution by the limitations imposed by the US, in 1980 imagery, with the first of these (KH-11) still 10 a French company – SPOT Image – opened years away from launch, low resolution images for business, eventually offering Earth images could be taken with equipment available in at 10 m (33 ft) resolution, spawning a wide 1966. However, while the civil applications of market for which the rest is history.

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Rocket Planes Sir: Michel van Pelt’s article on rocket planes (British Aircraft Corporation, Boeing, This history has created institutions and (Spaceflight, Vol 58, No 7, pp 264-268) Dassault, Hawker Siddeley Aviation, Junkers, habits of thought that continually reinforce the is an interesting history but makes a very Lockheed, Martin, and others) set up teams throwaway launcher habit. To this day, no fully questionable claim about the way ahead. He to study with a view to replacing reusable orbital launcher has been built, and says that “It does not look like the trends for expendable launchers. They soon reached a the pioneering work of the 1960s has been aircraft speed and height will be expanded consensus that spaceplanes were the obvious largely forgotten or overlooked. in the near future”. The basis for this claim next step and that they were feasible with the Turning to the technical argument, van is that “attaining the necessary high velocity technology of the time, providing that they had Pelt is correct to state that for a single stage (for orbital flight) with a structural weight that two stages. all-rocket orbital launcher about 80% of the still provides reliability and safety would be Spaceplanes were not developed then launch mass has to be propellant, which virtually impossible for an all-rocket-propelled because of the priority given to the Cold War leaves insufficient dry mass for recovery spaceplane, even with multiple stages.” race to the Moon. The spaceplane design equipment and for a safe and reliable vehicle. It is important to challenge this claim, teams were disbanded and the lobby for an Indeed, even expendable single-stage because aeroplanes capable of flying to aviation approach to space transportation launchers have not yet been built. and from orbit (orbital spaceplanes) hold the was gravely weakened In the 1970s, early But if two stages are used, the propellant key to low-cost access to space. With this designs for the Space Shuttle were indeed mass fraction on each stage comes down to in mind, there are two reasons for this claim fully reusable, but a budget cut meant that about 65%, which does indeed leave enough being highly doubtful, one historical and one NASA could no longer afford a large fully dry mass for a robust reusable vehicle. As technical. reusable launcher. They could have built a long ago as the 1960s, the X-15 suborbital In the late 1950s, the first satellites were small reusable launcher, on the lines of many research rocket plane had a propellant mass launched using converted ballistic missiles. of the 1960s projects, but instead decided to fraction of 60%. The record for the highest These can fly only once, and it soon give up on full reusability. The Shuttle as built propellant mass fraction for a fully reusable became clear that they could never provide was largely expendable and as a result was aeroplane is the 80% of the economical transport to orbit. So, in the just as expensive and risky as the launchers Global Flyer, which shows what can be early 1960s, most large aircraft companies that it was intended to replace. achieved with modern structural materials

Responding to limitations on the cost of the then proposed Space Shuttle imposed by the US and design methods. This is why most of the government’s Office of Management & Budget, between 1970 and 1972 the design went through 1960s spaceplane designs (which van Pelt several iterations. From a fully reusable concept (top left) to a series of four unmanned booster options does not mention) had two stages. (bottom row) the Shuttle adopted an expendable Orbiter propellant tank, ending up with partially The first successful orbital spaceplane will reusable boosters (bottom right), halving the development cost but quadrupling costs per flight. transform spaceflight by enabling an airline David Baker service to orbit, thereby reducing costs by at least 100 times. Such a vehicle can be built using only proven technology, providing that 1960s design concepts are used, and could be in service within ten years. What would then have been a feasible but difficult project would now be straightforward. The main obstacle today is no more than, and no less than, corporate groupthink. Throwing away one launcher per flight has become so embedded in space culture that the idea that a fully reusable aeroplane-like launcher can be built using only proven technology is all but unthinkable. This is a situation that you can do something about! Take an interest, ask questions and, if you are happy with the answers, spread the word.

David Ashford. Via email

The editor welcomes letters and emails for publication but regrets that he is unable to acknowledge or reply individually. Those sending letters via email to [email protected] should remember to include their address. Letters may be edited.

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An appreciation Sir: Playing with the idea of visiting the at that time (as there had been also in the the exhibition is highly recommended. exhibition “Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space 1920s/30s). But especially impressive were Probably this outstanding exhibition will Age” at the London Science Museum, letters written to the Government by ordinary remain unique outside Russia, but hopefully finally I managed to go to London the first men, in which they expressed their desire to the objects will be made accessible after the weekend in February. Of course London fly in space. return to Russia for the public in a collection is not cheap, and there are a lot of extra Side by side were the capsules of Vostok and finally find a proper place.This was costs for traveling, accommodation and 6 and Voskhod 1 on display, and it was not to be so after the collapse of the Soviet food, entrance fee and souvenirs, but even impressive to see how spacy the capsule for Union. Painfully, you had to see to believe only this extraordinary exhibition was worth one cosmonaut was, but for Voskhod 1 in the the elimination of the Cosmos Pavilion of visiting! Furthermore I could combine this trip same space three cosmonauts were crammed the Exhibition of Achievements of National for a first ever visit of the BIS headquarter in. The imagination to fly into space together Economy (VDNKh) in Moscow. Sadly the and good talks with the BIS staff and with with two companions in a “phone booth” exhibition was rented out as a market area David Baker and his wife. Thank you very does not even foster the desire to become for garage shops and amusement parks. Last much for the warm welcome! an astronaut. Anyway these flights were but not least, on 13 September 2008, in a To make a long story short: the exhibition tremendous achievements and one’s need to cloak-and-dagger operation, the only surviving was even better in reality than it was already stress out again: it is a sensation that Russia prototype of the Tu-154 aircraft in front of the praised in the media! The Science Museum had sent these two original landing capsules Pavilion was destroyed and scrapped. Such just managed a masterpiece! One highlight for the exhibition abroad. acts must not be repeated. was followed by the next. It is impossible to To be able to look through the hatches in all give a ranking, but the lunar lander LK-3 was corners, thoughtfully practical mirrors on long Jens Biss the sparkler of the exhibition. The visitors poles were held ready and passed from visitor Via email were cleverly guided to reach this object. to visitor. It was noteworthy that every object Transport and assembly at the Museum must was provided with the Russian original name have been extremely difficult, because the in Cyrillic. Site survey lander is nearly 6 m high. Without question, The Science Museum supervisory staff this lunar lander represents an engineering were very friendly and competent. Well- Sir: With reference to your announcement for masterpiece, but at the direct sight, you got informed guided tours were offered as well. a launch site directory to appear in Spaceflight the feeling that the planned lunar flights would Last but not least an entire room was (Vol 58, No 7, p274), before Satellite Digest have been extremely dangerous. reserved for a remarkable artistic almost began in 1968 only four satellite launch lists Beside Yuri Gagarin’s uniform and surreal installation, but contained a real space were provided for readers in Spaceflight. German Titov’s film camera, there were artifact, the dummy “Ivan Ivanovitch”. These were: October 1958, May 1963; objects such as Cosmos Matryoshka After this almost space dreamy artifact one January 1965 and November 1965. None dolls, Cosmos tea service, billboards and was brought back to Earth: in the special gift listed any launch sites. Starting with the first posters that showed enthusiasm for the shop. Everything necessary and unnecessary Satellite Digest in July 1968 a launch sites first cosmonauts. Obviously there was a was marketed at partial high prices. However column was added. But since the Digest real awakening and euphoria in the USSR the very comprehensive catalogue printed for started with Surveyor 7 (the first launch of the year) a launch site update was provided in the

Bruce McCandless II floats completely free. But 1969 and 1970 issues. For humanity just how important is the link to Earth? NASA However, other than the solar and lunar objects, no attempt was ever made to list Sir: The fascinating article “The Overview launch sites for all satellites orbited from 1957 Effect” in Spaceflight (Vol 58, No 7, p 251) to 1963! concerned the extraordinary experience of astronauts looking down on Earth. Surely Edward Zigoy this makes a compelling case for sending Via email poets, musicians or artists to ISS to record their experiences in a form that might be of (Edward brings an added aspect to the greater interest the general public and would absence of reference information on launch resonate more strongly with them than that of sites, made by John Silvester in last month’s astronauts who have been mainly engaged in issue of Spaceflight, in that too much scientific pursuits. This would not be merely a information is assumed to be universal frivolous diversion from scientific endeavour knowledge and that acronyms can sometimes though. In addition to inspiring people to take be confusing. It was, after all, acronyms that a greater interest in space, it could encourage were the reason why NASA provided a very more serious environmental awareness and thick book for managers and people working help reveal the futility of human conflicts. different programmes to unravel the “in-speak” – this had humorous repercussions when the C J Macpherson acronym NASA was said to stand for “Never A Via email Straight Answer”!)

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354-355.indd 355 7/28/2016 9:03:07 AM society news With gratitude fter nearly five years Kelvin Long is he has made to support JBIS.” standing down as the Editor of the In a leaving statement Kelvin Long said. Journal of the British Interplanetary “The Journal of the British Interplanetary SocietyA (JBIS). He had been Deputy Editor for Society (JBIS) is very important for the two years before that. Kelvin was the seventh broad subject matter of astronautics, and in Editor of the Journal since it was founded in particular its wide scope which encompasses 1934, now the longest running astronautical the near term to the long term visionary, journal. and I believe that maintaining this balance BIS President Mark Hempsell told between the practical and the speculative is Spaceflight that “Having been an editor of an important service to be continued.” JBIS myself, and knowing from personal Kelvin added that “It has been my honour to experience what a difficult job it can be, on serve the Journal as Editor, and I look forward to behalf of the Council and the Society I would becoming a regular author again. I firmly believe like to thank Kelvin for the considerable efforts future astronauts will be reading JBIS on the surface of other worlds around other stars!” Doyen of starship design and engineering and Roger Longstaff is taking over the role previous Editor of JBIS, Kelvin Long is widely known for his work on interstellar flight. BIS of Editor. Roger has had a long career in astronautics at British Aerospace Space Division and through his own consultancy Roger Longstaff has now taken over the editorship of JBIS, succeeding Kelvin Long. BIS Business, Guest Associates (Europe) Limited. He said: “It is an honour and a privilege to succeed Kelvin Long as Editor of JBIS. I have current and near term space activities, along worked in the space sector for over three with visions of the future that can inspire decades, primarily in the areas of advanced the readership and motivate those who are launch systems and in-orbit infrastructure, new to the field of astronautics.Apart from and like Kelvin I have always dreamed of the special editions on Interstellar Studies I hope possibilities for space flight in the decades to produce issues on subject areas such as and centuries to come.” Solar Power Satellites and Space Elevators, Roger is optimistic for the future: “I look such that they will become repositories of forward to working with the editorial team in knowledge for current and future generations producing issues that include a balance of of scientists, engineers and enthusiasts.”

BIS Library Journal of the British The Society’s specialist space and Interplanetary Society astronautics library is open Monday JBIS to Friday between 10.30 and 15.30 and 18.50 when there is an evening lecture. Pre-booking is not required but please check in advance whether the library is already in use.

The February/March 2016 issue of the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society is now New BIS Members available and contains the following papers: Norman James, Leics, UK A Roadmap to Interstellar Flight Adam McLeod, Adelaide, Australia The Laser Starway: A Light Bridge to the Closest Stars Derek Moritz, Canada A Kardasev III Approach to the Extra-Solar Planetary System Colonization Maarten Ruigrok vd Werve, Holland Radim Badsi, Germany ET Probes - Looking Here as Well as There Rob Edgell, Surbiton, UK Stellified Planets and Brown Dwarfs as Novel Dysonian SETI Signatures Ruth Ellerington, Southampton, UK On the Nature of the Impactor that Formed the Shackleton Crater on the Moon William Pavelin, Essex, UK Unstable Equilibrium Hypothesis: A Consideration of Ultra-Relativistic and Faster than Light Interstellar Spaceflight Clare Parkhouse, West Sussex, UK Dario Kubler, Italy Copies of JBIS, priced at £15 for members, £40 to non-members plus P&P. Full list of available issues – www.bis-space.com/eshop/products-page/publications/jbis/ Mark Prestridge, Hertfordshire, UK Back issues are also available and can be obtained from The British Interplanetary Society, Joe Buckley, Buckinghamshire, UK Arthur C Clarke House, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ, England

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organize its third afternoon with lectures. From now on this event will also be called the BIS Belgium Annual Space Symposium. Just as the BIS Lectures and Meetings two previous times, this event will take place in the cultural centre “De Ploter” in Ternat, about 15 km west of Brussels. It is easily accessible by The UK Contribution to Understanding the Space public transport: Ternat has a train station within walking distance from Domain the cultural centre. To make the 2016 symposium a success, we need a few people that 15 September 2016, 7 - 8.30 pm are willing to give a presentation this year. Presentations are welcome Speaker: Sqn Ldr Ralph ‘Dinz’ Dinsley BA (Hons) MA, RAF in Dutch, English or French. There is a laptop and beamer available to show Powerpoint presentations and DVD movies. If you would like to The importance of space to both society in general, and more specifically submit a topic for a presentation please contact us via bis.belgium@ to the military, is well documented. However as the domain becomes telenet.be. more congested, contested and competitive how do you assure access to space and the applications it provides? This presentation will focus on the RAF’s role in developing indigenous by Film – Rocket Flight exploring past, current and future capabilities. Sqn Ldr Dinsley will touch on the history of surveillance of space, particularly the momentous role 26 November 2016 the UK has played in the almost 60 years since the launch of Sputnik, before exploring the operational missions of both RAF Fylingdales and Venue: The Gardeners Arms, Vines Lane, Droitwich, WR9 8LU the developing role of the UK Space Operations Centre (UK SpOC). The rocket and missile historian John Harlow MBE will introduce a rarely Formed in 2008, the UK SpOC’s mission is to maximise space control and seen film Rocket Flight. The film, made by the RAF in 1945, details the enhancement support capability to understand and exploit development of rockets and missiles in Germany before and during the the space domain, to protect our access to critical space capabilities, Second World War. There will be a discussion afterwards on the film and defend our national interests, and integrate space control into UK military the significance of the German work in relation to rockets and missile operations. development post World War II. Space Domain Awareness is the ability to detect, track, and characterise To cover the cost of the film there will be an admission charge of £6.00 passive and active space objects, and, through fusion with understanding (payable on the day). the space environment, creating Space Situational Awareness. Due to the significance of space systems and their applications, coupled with the enormity of developing Space Situational Awareness, Sqn Ldr Dinsley will BIS Trip to visit RAF Spadeadam and Old Blue discuss the need for international cooperation. Through specific military, civil and commercial programmes, organisations are mission sharing in Streak Facilities order to lessen the burden on one single nation or organisation. The The BIS History Committee is proposing a visit to RAF Spadeadam in presentation will conclude with a brief examination of the developing Cumbria to tour the RAF station and visit the surviving old concept of . testing facilities. The proposed visit will take place over two days, probably during the Designing Against Space Flight Disaster 19-25th June 2017. It will be limited to 30 BIS members. It is planned to meet in a suitable hotel near RAF Spadeadam during the first day 7 October 2016, 7.30 pm afternoon. The members will be able to have a meal and drink together in the hotel, and this will be followed by an introductory talk by Alan Venue: Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institute, 16-18 Queen Bond FBIS. Square, Bath, BA1 2HN To make this visit possible, we need to have a fairly firm indication of the The talk will review past space flight disasters, their causes and the interest and numbers very soon. Both the RAF Station and the hotel will lessons learned from them. The talk will then go on to describe the need to be booked by this summer. current space flight safety risk management process, and the impact this has on system design and operation. The talk will conclude by identifying Therefore, we invite members to register their interest as soon as the space flight safety risk reduction challenges for the future. possible – but no later than by the end of August 2016.

RISpace 2016 Readers are reminded that these Notices contain only a reduced 24-27 October 2016 description of the event. Full details can be found on the website at www.bis-space.com, where any updates are also carried. Venue: Royal Society, London The BIS-organised 14th Reinventing Space Conference and Exhibition will be held between Monday 24 and Thursday 27 October 2016 at the Lectures Royal Society in London. The focus of the 2016 conference will be on Venue: BIS HQ, 27/29 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1SZ, unless how technology trends are leading to the increasing commercialisation otherwise stated. of space, including low cost launch systems, mega-constellations, and a range of novel satellite applications, both in LEO and beyond. Members can attend free of charge. Places must be booked in advance, online or by post. Each member may also obtain a free ticket for one RISpace brings together industry, agency, government, financiers, guest subject to availability of space. academia and end users in the unparalleled, catalytic environment of a major London scientific institution. The conference and exhibition is Non-Members are able to attend the Society’s lectures for a fee. You organised by the British Interplanetary Society. can order a ticket online or by post (please make cheques payable to the British Interplanetary Society). If oversubscribed Society Members will BIS Belgium Annual Space Symposium 2016 be given priority. If applying via our website the confirmation receipt is your entry ticket. 29 October 2016, 2 pm If, for reasons outside its control, the Society is required to change the date Venue: CC De Ploter, Ternat, Belgium or topic of a meeting, every effort will be made to avoid inconvenience to attendees either by notice of change in Spaceflight/JBIS, on our website On 29th October 2016 at 2 p.m., the Belgian branch of the BIS will or by special advice to each participant.

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

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