Space Technology Research Vehicle

STRV
Mission typeexperimental
OperatorUK Ministry of Defence
COSPAR ID1A: 1994-034B
1B: 1994-034C
1C: 2000-072C
1D: 2000-072D
SATCAT no.1A: 23125[1]
1B: 23126[1]
1C: 26610[2]
1D: 26611[2]
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerDRA
Launch mass1A & 1B: 50 kg (110 lb) each
1C & 1D: 100 kg (220 lb) each
Start of mission
Launch date1A & 1B: 07:07:19, 17 June 1994 (UTC) (1994-06-17T07:07:19Z)
1C & 1D:01:07, 16 November 2000 (UTC) (2000-11-16T01:07Z)
Rocket1A & 1B: Ariane 44LP
1C & 1D:Ariane 5
Launch siteGuiana Space Center
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
Perigee altitude1A & 1B: 284 km (176 mi)
1C & 1D: 615 km (382 mi)
Apogee altitude1A & 1B: 35,831 km (22,264 mi)
1C & 1D: 39,269 km (24,401 mi)
Inclination1A & 1B: 7.1°
1C & 1D:6.4°
Period1A & 1B: 633 min
1C & 1D: 708 min

Space Technology Research Vehicle, or STRV, was a series of British microsatellites which operated in elliptical orbits around the Earth. The satellites were built by the Defence Research Agency at Farnborough, for the UK Ministry of Defence.[3]

Mission

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The series of four satellites, launched as two pairs, were designed to test new technologies in the harsh radiation environment of a geostationary transfer orbit. Each satellite had an expected 1 year life-time and carries myriad detectors, sensors and other equipment for a variety of organisations including the UK MoD, ESA and the US Department of Defense. The satellites were controlled from the DRA groundstation at Lasham in the UK.[3] Several of the STRV satellites' experiments also recorded proton and electron data as they repeatedly passed through the Van Allen Belts.[4]

Payloads

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Two satellites were launched in June 1994 and another two were launched in November 2000, from the space center in French Guiana.[5]

STRV 1A & 1B

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STRV 1A and STRV 1B are cube-shaped micro-satellites each with a mass of 50 kg. They were launched into orbit to test new solar cells and measure static charge on its surfaces.[6]

STRV 1C & 1D

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STRV 1C and STRV 1D are cube-shaped micro-satellite each with a mass of 100 kg and carry test technology devices including lithium ion batteries and a GPS receiver.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b "International Designator 1994-034". Celestrak. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  2. ^ a b "International Designator 2000-072". Celestrak. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b "STRV 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  4. ^ "STRV Satellites Ready for Launch". About.com. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  5. ^ "Sat Cat". Celestrak. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  6. ^ a b "SPACEWARN Bulletin 565". NASA. Retrieved 26 June 2012.