From: LARRY KLAES (ljk4_at_msn.com)
Date: Sat Mar 26 2005 - 06:33:56 PST
http://planetary.org/solarsail/update_20050325.html Solar Sail Update, March 25, 2005
Final Check-up and Off to Severmorsk
by Louis Friedman
The Cosmos 1 spacecraft is currently undergoing final assembly and testing in preparation for its upcoming launch into Earth orbit. The fully assembled vehicle has successfully passed its final vibration test, and as you read this the eight triangular blades are being packed and attached to the spacecraft's body. This procedure was left almost to the last moment in order to minimize the amount of time the giant sails are to be kept folded, before their deployment in space.
This week the spacecraft is undergoing additional electrical testing of the attitude control and radio systems. The propulsion motor tests, including the balance with the spacecraft, will also be conducted, and a final check of the electrical systems will be completed soon.
Once testing is completed, the spacecraft will be packed and shipped to Severmorsk, the Barents Sea port from which the launch submarine will depart. There it will be mated with the Volna propulsion module that will launch it into orbit. This process will take approximately one month, so we expect we will be able to announce the specific launch date when the spacecraft ships to Severmorsk. Right now it seems that the launch will take place some time between April 20 and May 30.
The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) requires that the Russian government officially notify a joint US-Russia compliance team of the telemetry data and orbital elements of any missile launch to space. The specification of data formats is a formal procedure that is now underway, and. we expect it to be completed in time for the projected launch date.
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: Sat Mar 26 2005 - 06:43:22 PST