Sirio 1
Sirio 1 (Satellite Italiano ricerca industriale orientato) was primarily a geostationary communications satellite. It included experiments measuring the local plasma and field environment and the flux of low-energy cosmic rays.
The satellite was launched on a Delta-2313 and was located at 15 deg w longitude.
The Sirio-2 geostationary spacecraft carried two independent payloads:
The cylindrically shaped spacecraft measured 144 cm in diameter and 240 cm in length including the apogee boost motor. The primary structural members are equipment platforms and a central thrust cone carrying conventional housekeeping electronics in addition to payloads. Attitude, orbit and spin rate control were performed using a hydrazine propulsion system including four thrusters. The spin rate would have been maintained at 90 rpm throughout the two-year nominal lifetime. A mechanically despun antenna relayed S-band telemetry (meteorological and housekeeping), while a traditional omnidirectional turnstile system supported VHF ranging and telecommands, as well as housekeeping telemetry in transfer orbit and as backup geostationary orbit.
Sirio-2 was lost in a Ariane-1 launch failure in 1982.
Nation: | Italy |
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Type / Application: | Communication |
Operator: | |
Contractors: | Compagnia Nazionale Satelliti per Telecommunicaziono SpA |
Equipment: | ? |
Configuration: | |
Propulsion: | ? |
Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
Lifetime: | 2 years |
Mass: | |
Orbit: | GEO |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sirio 1 | 1977-080A | 25.08.1977 | CC LC-17B | Delta-2313 | ||
Sirio 2 | 1982-F06 | 09.09.1982 | Ko ELA-1 | F | Ariane-1 | with MARECS B |