Space Technology Research Vehicle, or STRV, was a series of British microsatellites which operated in elliptical orbits around the Earth. The satellites were built by the Defence Research Agency at Farnborough, for the UK Ministry of Defence.[3]
Mission
The series of four satellites, launched as two pairs, were designed to test new technologies in the harsh radiation environment of a geostationary transfer orbit. Each satellite had an expected 1 year life-time and carries myriad detectors, sensors and other equipment for a variety of organisations including the UK MoD, ESA and the US Department of Defense. The satellites were controlled from the DRA groundstation at Lasham in the UK.[3] Several of the STRV satellites' experiments also recorded proton and electron data as they repeatedly passed through the Van Allen Belts.[4]
Payloads
Two satellites were launched in June 1994 and another two were launched in November 2000, from the space center in French Guiana.[5]
STRV 1A & 1B
STRV 1A and STRV 1B are cube-shaped micro-satellites each with a mass of 50 kg. They were launched into orbit to test new solar cells and measure static charge on its surfaces.[6]
STRV 1C & 1D
STRV 1C and STRV 1D are cube-shaped micro-satellite each with a mass of 100 kg and carry test technology devices including lithium ion batteries and a GPS receiver.[6]
References
- ^ a b "International Designator 1994-034". Celestrak. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- ^ a b "International Designator 2000-072". Celestrak. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- ^ a b "STRV 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ^ "STRV Satellites Ready for Launch". About.com. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ "Sat Cat". Celestrak. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ^ a b "SPACEWARN Bulletin 565". NASA. Retrieved 26 June 2012.