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OSO 7

OSO-7 [NASA]

The objectives of the OSO (Orbital Solar Observatory) satellite series were to perform solar physics experiments above the atmosphere during a complete solar cycle and to map the entire celestial sphere for direction and intensity of UV light and X-ray and gamma radiation.

The OSO 7 platform consisted of a sail section, which pointed two experiments continually toward the sun, and a wheel section, which spun about an axis perpendicular to the pointing direction of the sail and carried four experiments. Attitude adjustment was performed by gas jets and a magnetic torquing coil. A pointing control permitted the pointed experiments to scan the region of the solar disk in a 60- by 60-arc-min raster pattern. In addition, the pointed section could be commanded to select and scan any 7.5- by 5-arc-min region near the solar disk. Data were simultaneously recorded on tape and transmitted by PCM/PM telemetry. A command system provided for at least 155 ground-based commands.

Only real-time data have been received since May 1973, when the second tape recorder failed. The spacecraft reentered the earth's atmosphere 9 July 1974.

Nation: USA
Type / Application: Solar observatory
Operator: NASA
Contractors:
Equipment:
Configuration:
Propulsion: ?
Power: Solar cells, batteries
Lifetime:
Mass: 635 kg
Orbit: 326 km × 572 km, 33.1°
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
OSO 7 (OSO H) 1971-083A 29.09.1971 CC LC-17A Delta-N with TTS 4

References:

  • NSSDC Master Catalog: OSO 7

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