ISEE-3 satellite? Not needed

And a little more space for today. News sufficiently important, albeit with a few negative sense, unfortunately.

Habré repeatedly wrote about satellite ISEE-3 , previously to perform the mission NASA, and successfully, and then forgotten for 17 years. This satellite has appeared simply unnecessary NASA, after completion of the mission, and it just "froze". Nevertheless, all the tools (13 scientific systems) work just as well, as in 1999, when the satellite was "frozen".

A team of enthusiasts gathered 150 thousand dollars for the reconstruction of the satellite, and was able to establish contact with him. As already wrote Habré , «May 29 was able to restore the connection to the station, and on July 2, after several attempts, including the engine. This inclusion was changed during treatment stations around its axis. At the time communication is restored, the device was rotated at 19.16 / min instead of standard 19.75 / min. The next step - correction of the trajectory. It is scheduled for July 8. "

And just perform trajectory correction failed.

The thing is that in the tanks of the satellite is not whether the remaining fuel (although the test engine briefly), or just something out of order. Tuesday and Wednesday left the team to attempt to start the engines companion for important maneuvers, but nothing happened, the project team has failed.

There is some consolation: as already stated above, scientific apparatus instruments work and how they never failed to start. Therefore, these systems are given in the operating state, and the Earth will be able to get some scientific data about three months. After this, the satellite from the Earth too far and conversations stop. The satellite will be lost forever.



Here's a he, ISEE-3. This photo was taken in 1978, just before the launch of the device in space. I>

Nevertheless, the team is still worth congratulate success. Firstly, because these people have shown: Crowdfunding can be used in space, with the ability to successfully raise funds for purely scientific purposes.

Secondly, enthusiasts were able to interest and NASA, because the agency has transferred the rights to use the new satellites' owners ».

Third, has done tremendous work on writing new software for the management of all systems of the satellite, in the calculation of the required maneuvers that could cause the satellite to the desired point of the space, to attract public attention to the project.

It is hoped that on this "public work" in terms of space exploration will not stop, and soon we will see something new, a new project that involves not only government officials and employees of the aerospace industry, but also ordinary people.



Via theverge

Source: habrahabr.ru/post/229445/