Organization:ESRO 2B
 | |
| Mission type | Astrophysics |
|---|---|
| Operator | ESRO |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Launch mass | 89 kilograms (196 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 6 March 1968, 01:55:08 UTC[1] |
| Rocket | Scout B |
| Launch site | Vandenberg Air Force Base SLC-5 |
| End of mission | |
| Decay date | 8 May 1971 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee altitude | 326 kilometres (203 mi)[1] |
| Apogee altitude | 1,086 kilometres (675 mi)[1] |
| Inclination | 97.2 degrees[1] |
| Period | 98.9 minutes[1] |
| Epoch | 16 May 1968, 22:09:00 UTC[2] |
ESRO-2B or Iris (International Radiation Investigation Satellite) was a European astrophysical spin-stabilised research satellite which was launched in 1968. Operated by the European Space Research Organisation, ESRO 2B made astronomical surveys primarily in x-ray and solar particles detectors.[3]
Spacecraft
ESRO-2B was an 89 kg (196 lb) cylindrical spacecraft with a length of 85 cm and a diameter of 76 cm. In December 1968 (approx 195 days since mission start) the on-board tape recorder suffered a mechanical failure. This effectively ended the two X-ray experiments as they did not provide any significant data return from then on.
ESRO-2B was launched on a Scout B rocket into a highly elliptical near-polar orbit on 16 May 1968 after the ESRO-2A failed to reach orbit.[4]
Spin-stabilised, ESRO-2B had a spin rate of approximately 40 rpm and re-entered Earth's atmosphere on 8 May 1971 after completing 16,282 orbits.[4]
Instruments
Seven instruments were carried aboard EROS 2B[1] designed to detect high energy cosmic rays, determine the total flux of solar X-rays and to measure Van Allen belt protons and cosmic ray protons.[3] While designed for solar observations ESRO-2B is credited with the detection of X-rays from non-solar sources.[1]
Trivia
In September 2018, Belgium launched a 2 euro commemorative coin commemorating the 50th anniversary of ESRO-2B's launch.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "ESRO 2B". NASA. http://www.planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ↑ "NASA - NSSDCA - Spacecraft - Trajectory Details". https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftOrbit.do?id=1968-041A.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "ESRO 2B: May - December 1968". University of Indiana. http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/cgi-bin/virtcdlib/index.cgi/4646613/FID1/LHEA_CD/docs/heasarc/missions/esro2b.htm. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "ESRO 2A, 2B (Iris 1, 2)". Gunters Space Page. http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/esro-2.htm. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
- ↑ "2 euro Belgium 2018 - Satellite ESRO-2B Launch UNC". 2eurocommemorative.ie. https://2eurocommemorative.ie/2-euro-commemorative-coin-Belgium-2018-Satellite-ESRO-2B-Launch-UNC. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
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