OSCAR 13

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
OSCAR 13
Type: Amateur radio satellite
Operator: AMSAT
COSPAR-ID : 1988-051B
Mission dates
Dimensions: 150 kg at the start
Begin: June 15, 1988
Starting place: Center Spatial Guyanais
Launcher: Ariane 4
Status: Re-entry on December 5, 1996
Orbit data
Rotation time : 705 min
Orbit inclination : 57.4 °
Apogee height :  36,265 km
Perigee height :  2545 km

OSCAR 13 (also called AMSAT- OSCAR 13 , NSSDC-ID : 1983-051B) was an amateur radio satellite of the OSCAR series. Before launch, it was the third phase 3 satellite to be called P3C. He became one on 15 June 1988 with the first test launch Ariane-4 launch vehicle from the Guiana Space Center as an additional payload in addition to the satellite Meteosat P2 and Panamsat into a geostationary transfer orbit brought. With the on-board engine system, the perigee was first raised and the inclination increased to 57.4 ° in a second engine ignition .

OSCAR 13 was built by AMSAT-Germany. The basic construction of the mechanical structure and the fluid drive was identical to that of the AMSAT-OSCAR 10 . The satellite had a launch mass of 150 kg and the shape of a three-axis star with a diameter of 60 cm and a height of 50 cm (without antennas).

The satellite was spin stabilized . The orientation and the speed of rotation of the satellite could be controlled by an active position control with magnetic coils. The position of the satellite in space could be determined with sun and earth sensors, the determination of the orbit parameters was possible by measuring the runtime of the radio signals.

It had four transponders and four beacon transmitters in the 2 m band, in the 70 cm band as well as in the 23 cm band and in the 12 cm band. In addition, there was a payload for digital communication on board. Six solar panels were used for the energy supply, which supplied the battery and the payloads with electricity via charge controllers. All functions of the satellite were controlled by an on-board computer based on a 1802 Cosmac processor.

As a result of the resonance effects of the orbit with the gravitational pull of the moon and sun, the perigee fell from 1996 onwards. In November 1996, the closest point on the orbit was so low that the frictional heat in the atmosphere destroyed the solar panels and the satellite ceased to operate. Shortly afterwards, AO-13 burned up in the earth's atmosphere.

Web links