Complexity Delays Solar Sail Project

TECH SPACE

Cosmos 1

by Louis Friedman, Project Director
Pasadena - Oct 17, 2003
We have decided to delay the launch of Cosmos 1, our solar sail, from October 2003 until 2004. Despite a summer of generally good test results on hardware and software, the team is taking extra time to test as many operations as possible. The Cosmos 1 spacecraft has become much more complex than we originally planned, and the test program is proceeding slowly and methodically. We will not rush or take any risky shortcuts.

Over the summer all flight hardware was delivered to the Babakin Space Center, except for one part of the on-board radio system. A complete engineering model of the spacecraft was assembled with all elements in flight configuration. It was then tested in a thermal and vacuum environment to simulate conditions during flight.

The operations of the flight electronics were also tested. This included end-to-end system tests of data flowing from the sensors, through the computer, and to the ground station receiver hardware.

Such end-to-end testing is mandatory not only for nominal spacecraft operations -- computer, sensors, the attitude control, sail deployment, and control of the sail blades -- but for any unexpected situations that might occur. The spacecraft has been built with a great deal of redundancy and backup modes, both in individual components and overall operation, and thus is more complex than we first planned. This is why the team has decided to stretch out the testing program to the end of this year to run through as many operational sequences as possible.

As we reported earlier, the Volna rocket payload separation system has passed a crucial test. The engineering model of the solar sail was attached to the third stage and tested through all phases of launch. The final phase included dropping the spacecraft in a large vacuum chamber tower to simulate free-fall (zero-g) and the vacuum of space. The second and third stages separated as planned. This verified that the problems experienced on sub-orbital flights in 2001 and 2002 were now solved, and that the Volna would be approved for our launch.

The engineering model was returned from the rocket factory in Miass, Russia, to the NPO Lavochkin complex near Moscow for final tests with flight hardware. This hardware includes new solar sail blades manufactured for the flight. At the same time, the flight model was being assembled. Final assembly, however, will not occur until the electronics testing is complete.

We still have one crucial hardware problem to solve in the spacecraft radio system that will receive (telemetry) and send (commands) information. We have planned on a dual redundant system using two different frequencies -- one in the UHF band, and one in the S-band. The S-band system is not yet delivered, and the UHF system has passed only half of its tests. Work is being completed on both to insure we will have a reliable system and a backup for the mission.

In addition to the great result from the Volna tests in far-away Miass (east of the Urals in Russia), the highlight of our summer was a display of a full-scale solar sail blade in the heart of New York City. Cosmos Studios and The Planetary Society were invited to include the sail as part of the Centennial of Flight exhibit in Rockefeller Center, which drew over a million people. This particular sail blade, which has now been deployed and packed several times during the test program in Russia and for our exhibit in New York, will next be exhibited in Pasadena at Planetfest 2004, where we'll be celebrating the landing of the first Mars Exploration Rover.

The work remaining includes completion of the software tests, additional checks of the new components on the engineering model, and the final assembly and test of the flight unit. This will take at least to the end of the year. Neither Cosmos Studios, the project sponsor, nor The Planetary Society are under any pressure -- nor do we want to create any pressure -- to launch before the system is ready.

Our attempt to fly the first solar sail spacecraft is risky enough without introducing additional risk due to impatience. I am grateful to both the Russian team at Babakin and IKI for taking care and attention to details and to Cosmos Studios for their patience in waiting for project results and a return on their investment.

TECH SPACE

Cosmos 1 Hardware Continues to Pass Tests

Miass - Jul 25, 2003
This past month, the first two stages of the Volna launch vehicle passed their re-qualification tests with our solar sail spacecraft. At the Makeev Rocket Design Bureau in Miass, Russia, the Cosmos 1 engineering model underwent vibration and other dynamic tests to simulate launch during the firing of the first and second Volna stages.

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2016 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement All images and articles appearing on Space Media Network have been edited or digitally altered in some way. Any requests to remove copyright material will be acted upon in a timely and appropriate manner. Any attempt to extort money from Space Media Network will be ignored and reported to Australian Law Enforcement Agencies as a potential case of financial fraud involving the use of a telephonic carriage device or postal service.