astronautix.com | Chronology - 1990 - Quarter 2 |
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Communication experiments. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
High resolution photo reconnaissance mission. References: 279 .
Chemical release experiment. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Store and forward. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Eight satellites launched by a single carrier rocket. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
First commercial Chinese launch; Stationed at 105 deg E; formerly Westar 6 (retrieved by STS-51A and refurbished). Fixed-satellite telecommunication services and transmission of television signals. Operational life about 10 years. Orbital position 105.5E. Owner/operator: Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co, Ltd. 23-24/F, East Exchange Tower, 38-40 Leighton Rd, Hong K ong. Telex 68345 ASAT HX Fax 852 576 4111. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Photo/digital surveillance. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
250 orbits. Soviet and French microgravity experiments. Space materials research. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 69 .
References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .
References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .
References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 278 .
Refurbished Palapa B2 retrieved by STS-51A; 107.7 deg E. Communication services for Indonesia, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and Papua New Guinea. Launch time 2227:59.719 Z. Launch complex 17, ETR. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Military navigation satellite. Positioned in plane 2 of constellation. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 107 .
Hubble Space Telescope; deployed from STS-31 4/25/90. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Deployed HST (Hubble Space Telescope). Payloads: Deployment of Hubble Space Telescope, IMAX camera in payload bay and in crew compartment, Protein Crystal Growth III-03, Investigation Into Polymer Membrane Process-ing- 01, Air Force Maui Optical Site-05, Radiation Monitoring Equipment III-01, Student Experiment 82-16, and Ascent Particle Monitor 01. Additional Details: STS-31. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 .
Released 25 Romb radar calibration subsatellites. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Covered Oko constellation plane 1 - 277 degree longitude of ascending node. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 100 .
Unmanned resupply vessel to Mir; last of original design Progress spacecraft. Conducted fifth and final test of Buran ejection seat during ascent to orbit. The K-36M.11F35 seat was installed in an 'experimental droppable compartment' installed in place of the Launch Escape Tower engine on top of the shroud. Docked with Mir on 7 May 1990 22:45:03 GMT. Undocked on 27 May 1990 07:08:58 GMT. Destroyed in reentry on 27 May 1990 12:27:30 GMT. Total free-flight time 2.31 days. Total docked time 19.35 days. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 275 .
High resolution photo reconnaissance; returned film in two small SpK capsules during the mission and with the main capsule at completion of the mission. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 179 .
Multiple Access Communications Satellite; global store and forward communications. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Multiple Access Communications Satellite; global store and forward communications. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Topographic mapping for the Army General Staff. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 101 , 102 .
Glonass. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet Union's civil aircraft and vessels in its merchant marine and fishing fleet. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 67 , 274 .
Glonass. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet Union's civil aircraft and vessels in its merchant marine and fishing fleet. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 67 , 274 .
Glonass. Testing of components and apparatus of the Glonass global space navigation system being set up to determine the position of the Soviet Union's civil aircraft and vessels in its merchant marine and fishing fleet. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 67 , 274 .
Also carried German microgravity experiment. Investigation of the natural resources of the Earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR; solution of problems relating to ecology and international cooperation. In accordance with a commercial agreement, apparatus belo nging to the Federal Republic of Germany is also being carried for the purpose of conducting biotechnological experiments. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
Mir module; materials processing laboratory. Docked with Mir. Kristall: Mass: 19,500 kg. Mass on docking 17,200 kg. Length: 11. 9 m or 13. 73 m?. Solar array span 36 m. Diameter: 4. 35 m. Payload: 7,000 kg. Two compartments. Instrument-Payload Compartment contains food containers, and industrial processing units Krater 3, Optizon 1, Zona 02, and Zona 03. 0. 8 m hatch leads to Junction-Docking compartment. This contains spherical universal docker with two APAS-89 androgynous docking units. These will be used to dock with Buran shuttle and 1,000 kg X-ray telescope to be delivered by Buran in 1991. Third opening houses earth observation cameras.
Launch originally planned for 30 March 1990. Delayed to April 18, then further delayed due to computer chip problems.
Launched 31 May 1990 12:33 GMT. Docking scheduled June 6 at 12:36 but delayed due to problem with one of Kristall's orientation engines. Docking successful 10 June at 12:47. On June 11 moved to side port. Work within module began 15 June.
Spektr: Late 1991 launch. Remote sensing work. Occupies port opposite Kvant 2. Before this occurs Kristall solar arrays will be relocated to Kvant.
Officially: Specialized module. Experimental-industrial production of semi-conducting materials; refinement of biologically active substances for the production of new medicinal preparations. Cultivation of crystals of different albumine compositions and hybridizatio n of cells. Conduct of astrophysical and technical experiments.
References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 67 , 274 .
West German extreme UV, X-ray telescope; all-sky survey. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Completion of Peacekeeper Rail Garrison system facilities at Vandenberg AFB. References: 88 .
First launch by Titan 4 of new generation of NOSS naval reconnaissance satellites. However earlier NOSS weighed only 2,000 kg; Titan 4 booster has seven times this capacity. What else was launched? References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 172 .
After that it was moved several times by the small manipulator arm on Mir to accommodate the addition of the Spektr module to the station and to allow rendezvous with the US Shuttle at Kristall's main docking port. The module was transferred to its final location at the Mir transfer compartment's starboard radial port on July 17, 1995.
Also performed Indian domestic communications tasks; 83.1 E. Operational multi-purpose satellite for telecommunications, meteorological imaging and data relay, radio and television programme distribution and direct television broadcasting for community reception. Orbital position 83 deg E. Also registered as 1990-5 1A in ST/SG/SER.E/250 by the United States, with category B and orbital parameters 1426.3 min, 35768 x 35811 km x 0.2 deg. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications system in the USSR; transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to stations in the Orbita network and within the framework of international cooperation. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .
Stationed at 90 deg E. Provision of telephone and telegraph communications and transmission of television programmes, continuation of work in the context of the 'Intercosmos' programme for the development of new frequency ranges and the creation of long-range systems of space c ommunications jointly with the Byelorussian SSR, GDR, Hungary and Czechoslovakia. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 67 , 111 , 274 .
Launched into an erroneous orbit. There was no communication with the satellite. Covered Oko constellation plane 6 - 115 degree longitude of ascending node. References: 5 , 6 , 64 , 65 , 100 .
International communications; 63 deg E. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
Gathering round-the-clock meteorological information. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .
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