Etoile Arcture
27-10-2007, 13:46
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Etoile Arcture Space Agency. (http://www.nationstates.net/-1/page=display_nation/nation=etoile_arcture)
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Nebula Launch System declared fully operational
http://spaceflightnow.com/h2a/alos/gallery/launch7.jpg
HARMONY CITY, E.A. - A Nebula launch vehicle with two strap-on boosters has successfully completed the last of three qualification flights that now sees the Nebula Launch System (NLS) being declared fully operational.
The heavy-lift Nebula 4241 version qualified on today's mission has a maximum payload lift capability to low Earth orbit (LEO) of 27,215 kg and to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) of 12,757 kg.
The qualification flight saw the Nebula 4241 vehicle launch from the Etoile Arcture Space Agency (EASA) equatorial launch site carrying a multi-element payload into orbit. A composite dual-manifest adaptor was used for carriage of eComm-2A, a 4,709-kg commercial X-band communication satellite flown on behalf of eComm LLC; and EASAT, a 3,496-kg remote sensing scientific satellite built by the University of Fargo in Upper Fargo for EASA. The RECORD instrumentation package was also integrated into the composite payload fairing of the vehicle to validate the launcher's performance. The autonomous telemetry system on RECORD transmitted data on the payload environment during all the flight phases, from liftoff to in-orbit injection and returned spectacular TV pictures of the booster and satellite separations.
EASA reported that the core cryogenic stage and both solid rocket motors were successfully recovered from the Pacific Ocean following the flight and will be refurbished for use on a future mission to demonstrate Nebula reusability.
The mission also saw the second successful qualification flight of a Nebula Upper Stage. This followed the failure of a NUS during the maiden flight of the Nebula Launch System that saw its cargo stranded in a lower than expected orbit. Following on from the second successful NUS engine re-start experiment during the previous qualification flight, the vehicle performed a series of critical engine re-ignition tests with four successful on-orbit burns. These included two burns performed hours apart to place each of its payloads into the correct geostationary transfer orbit, and a third post-separation throttle test where the engine was successfully throttled back by 25%.
In order to limit the proliferation of space debris a fourth burn was commanded from the ground causing the NUS to de-orbit safely and burn up during a precise destructive re-entry over the Pacific Ocean.
“This launch marks another great achievement for Etoile Arcture in space and a further demonstration of Etoilian skills in this highly demanding technological field,” said Dr. Rhea Ansari, Director General of EASA, after the flight. “Today’s success is also just reward for all the people, in industry and at agencies all over Etoile Arcture, who have been working so hard to bring this launcher into operational use. Guaranteed access to space is a pre-requisite for our success in all space activities and so it is our duty to maintain this capacity to the full.”
For more information:
Nebula Launch System fact sheet (http://z11.invisionfree.com/Sequoia_Defence/index.php?showtopic=29&st=0)
Contact: Etoile Arcture Space Agency. (http://www.nationstates.net/-1/page=display_nation/nation=etoile_arcture)
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/USCMC/nationstates/th_EASA_logo.gif
Nebula Launch System declared fully operational
http://spaceflightnow.com/h2a/alos/gallery/launch7.jpg
HARMONY CITY, E.A. - A Nebula launch vehicle with two strap-on boosters has successfully completed the last of three qualification flights that now sees the Nebula Launch System (NLS) being declared fully operational.
The heavy-lift Nebula 4241 version qualified on today's mission has a maximum payload lift capability to low Earth orbit (LEO) of 27,215 kg and to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) of 12,757 kg.
The qualification flight saw the Nebula 4241 vehicle launch from the Etoile Arcture Space Agency (EASA) equatorial launch site carrying a multi-element payload into orbit. A composite dual-manifest adaptor was used for carriage of eComm-2A, a 4,709-kg commercial X-band communication satellite flown on behalf of eComm LLC; and EASAT, a 3,496-kg remote sensing scientific satellite built by the University of Fargo in Upper Fargo for EASA. The RECORD instrumentation package was also integrated into the composite payload fairing of the vehicle to validate the launcher's performance. The autonomous telemetry system on RECORD transmitted data on the payload environment during all the flight phases, from liftoff to in-orbit injection and returned spectacular TV pictures of the booster and satellite separations.
EASA reported that the core cryogenic stage and both solid rocket motors were successfully recovered from the Pacific Ocean following the flight and will be refurbished for use on a future mission to demonstrate Nebula reusability.
The mission also saw the second successful qualification flight of a Nebula Upper Stage. This followed the failure of a NUS during the maiden flight of the Nebula Launch System that saw its cargo stranded in a lower than expected orbit. Following on from the second successful NUS engine re-start experiment during the previous qualification flight, the vehicle performed a series of critical engine re-ignition tests with four successful on-orbit burns. These included two burns performed hours apart to place each of its payloads into the correct geostationary transfer orbit, and a third post-separation throttle test where the engine was successfully throttled back by 25%.
In order to limit the proliferation of space debris a fourth burn was commanded from the ground causing the NUS to de-orbit safely and burn up during a precise destructive re-entry over the Pacific Ocean.
“This launch marks another great achievement for Etoile Arcture in space and a further demonstration of Etoilian skills in this highly demanding technological field,” said Dr. Rhea Ansari, Director General of EASA, after the flight. “Today’s success is also just reward for all the people, in industry and at agencies all over Etoile Arcture, who have been working so hard to bring this launcher into operational use. Guaranteed access to space is a pre-requisite for our success in all space activities and so it is our duty to maintain this capacity to the full.”
For more information:
Nebula Launch System fact sheet (http://z11.invisionfree.com/Sequoia_Defence/index.php?showtopic=29&st=0)