NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRAtION TELS WO 2-4155

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546 S WO 3-6925

FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY

RELEASE NO: 69-146 November 2, 1969

PROJECT: German Research

Satellite (GRS-A)

Coontents
S GENERAL RELEASE---------------------------------------------1-4

LAUNCH VEHICLE-----------------------------------------------5
W Flight Sequence-----------------------------------------5

> GRS-A/AZUR FACT SHEET---------------------------------------6-8

DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTS----------------------------------9-11

GRS-A/AZUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS-----------------------------12-14

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN GERMAN

K MINISTRY FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND THE

U.S. NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMIN.-------------------15-18

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10/27/69
P ^ - NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (202) 962-4155
NEWS WASHINGTONID.C. 20546 (202) 963-6925

FOR RELEASE: SUNDAY

November 2, 1969
RELEASE NO: 69-146

GERMAN SATELLITE LAUNCH

The first satellite in a cooperative space program between

the Federal Republic of Germany and the United States is

scheduled to be launched into a near polar orbit no earlier

than November 6, 1969, from the Western Test Range, California.

The launch vehicle will be a four-stage, solid-fuel Scout

rocket.

Called GRS-A (for German Research Satellite), the 157-

pound, German-built satellite will carry seven scientific

experiments designed to study the earth radiation belt, the

aurorae, and solar particle events. Special emphasis is

placed on measuring the intensity and distribution of protons

and electrons in terms of time and location. In orbit the

satellite will be called AZUR.

The launching of GRS-A is a major milestone marking the

second phase of a two-phase cooperative program between the

German Ministry for Scientific Research (Bundesministerium

fuer wissenschaftliche Forschung)-BMwF) and the National

I
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The first phase consisted of a series of sounding rocket

launchings--from sites in Canada, Sweden and Brazil--designed

to checkout GRS-A instrumentation. These activities were

conducted during 1966 and 1967.

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GRS-2 -

The formal agreement for the program was signed in July

1965 by representatives of BMwF and NASA. Under it the BMwF

is generally responsible for providing spacecraft hardware

and experiments, while NASA provides launch vehicles, techni-

cal consultation, training, and tracking and data acquisition

support. Close coordination between the two organizations

exists on matters relating to all phases of the program--

design, final construction, test, and satellite/launch vehicle

compatibility.

The orbit planned for GRS-A will have an apogee of about

inclined
2,000 statute miles and a perigee of about 240 statute miles

102 degrees to the equator. It will. take about two hours and

two minutes for the satellite to complete oe orbit. Its

planned operational lifetime is one year.

The spacecraft is stabilized at injection by spinning up

the fourth stage to about 178 rpm. After separation the spin

rate is reduced to about zero rpm by a two-stage yo-yo despin

system. An internal grid of eight hysteresis damping rods

provides further damping of satellite oscillations so that

auto-
after approximately 10 days in orbit the spacecraft will

matically align itself and become stabilized along the lines

of force of the Earth's magnetic field. This alignment is

accomplished by means of in-board permanent magnets.

The seven scientific experALinents carried by GRS-A are

provided by five different German research institutes.

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GRS-3 -

In general the experiment objectives continue studies

conducted by earlier NASA Explorer-series satellites as well
as the Orbiting Geophysical Observatories launched by NASA
into near polar orbits.
The satellite will be tracked and interrogated by a system
of stations operated under direction of BMwF augmented by NASA's
world-wide Space Tracking and Data Acquisition Network (STADAN).
BMwF will be responsible for data reduction, analysis, and
publication of experiment results.

Data will be made available exclusively to the German

principal investigations for a period of one year, during
which they will exercise their rights of first publication.
After this one-year period data records will be deposited
with the NASA Space Science Data Center operated by the Goddard
Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, and will be made
generally available to any interested scientist.
The Office of Space Science & Applications, NASA Head-
quarters, Washington, D. C., has program responsibility for
the NASA portion of this cooperative effort, which is coor-
dinated through the NASA Headquarters Office of International
Affairs.
The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is charged with
management of the project for NASA. The NASA Langley Research
Center is responsible for providing the launch vehicle and
launch services. The U. S. Air Force 6595th Air Test Wing

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GRS-4 -

provides the Western Test Range launch team. NASA's Kennedy

Space Center Unmanned Launch Operations provides launch opera-

tions support at WTR. The Scout launch vehicle is built by

Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc., Dallas, Texas.

The German project management responsibility is assigned

by BMwF to the Gesellschaft fuer Weltraumforschung (GfW)

Space Research Corporation, Bonn, Germany.

The design, manufacture, integration, and testing of

the spacecraft was accomplished by seven German aerospace and

electronic companies coordinated by Messerschmitt-Boelkow-

Blohm, Corporation, Munich, Germany.

..
GRS-5 -

LAUNCH VEHICLE

The Scout program is managed by NASA's Langley Research

Center, Hampton, Va.

Scout is a four-stage solid propellant launch vehicle.

The four Scout motors, Algol, Castor, Antares, and Fw-4S
are interloched with transition sections that contain guidance,
control, ignition, instrumentation system, separation mechanics,
and the spin motors needed to stabilize the fourth stage.

Guidance for Scout is provided by an autopilot and con-

trol achieved by a combination of aerodynamic surfaces, jet
vanes and hydrogen peroxide jets. The launch vehicle is
approximately 73 feet long and weighs about 40,000 pounds at
liftoff. Scout vehicle number S-169 and the GRS-A spacecraft
will be set on an initial launch azimuth of 197.2110 to obtain
a retrograde orbit.

Flight Sequence

Event Time (seconds)

Liftoff -
First stage burnout 76.57
Second stage ignition 83.63
Second stage burnout 123.06
Heatshield ejection 147.00
Third stage ignition 148.70
Third stage burnosu. 184.60
Spin-up 472.96
Third stage separation 474.46
Fourth stage ignition 478.96
Fourth stage burnout & orbital injection 513.66

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FEET
72 - /N

FOURTH STAGE S fACCCRT

AND FW-4S
SPACECRAFT SOLID-PROPELLANT
60 - MOTOR

ANTARES-II
91SOLID -PROPELLANT
THIRD STAGE MOTOR

50 _ _

CASTOR-=
40 - SOLID-PROPELLANT
SECOND STAGE MOTOR

30 -

20 -

ALGOL-US
FIRST STAGE SOLID-PROPELLANT
MOTOR

o0 !

;S.-out Latinch Vehicle

-I',XIt.-
Proton Counter El 101
Guide Rail for -_
Boom
Aurorol Photometer
El 102

Proton Telescope - 4 \ C Guide

Detector El 93
El 95
Platfonn

Power Supply and A

Telecommunications e-
Damping RodsSoaCel
Mounting for
Damping Rods
Stabilizing Magnets'
Centrw4 Tube
(GfK)
Aurovul Photometer..
El 102

Adaptor Boom (Deployed)

Antenna l.25ft -

Mognetometer El 15

German Research Satellite A

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-I

I-I

l%'

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GRS-6 -

GRS-A/AZUR FACr SHEET

Launch Window: 20--minute window which changes only

slightly from day-to-day. Window opens

at 5:51 PM (PST), November 6, 1969.

Launch Sil.e: Western Test Range, Lompoc, California,

Pad SLC-5

Launch Rocket: Four stage solid fuel Scout

Orbit: Apogee: About 3,200 km (2,000

statute miles)

Perigee: About 390 km (240 statute

miles)

Period: 122 minutes

Inclination: 102 degrees

Spacecraft: Weight: 157 pounds with about 37

pounds of experiments.

Structure: Cvlinder 30 inches in

diameter with overall

length of 48 flaches.

Conical shaped tot; flat

bottom from which protrude

four antennas and a 33-inch-

Jong magnetometer boom.

Power: Practically entire exterior

portion of spacecraft is

covered with solar cells

to charge silver-cadmium

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GRS-7 -

GRS-A/AZUR FACT SHEET (CONT'D.)

Power: battery pack. Powor

(cont'd)
needed to operate GRS-A

ranges from 17 watts tip

to 29 watts during peak

operating period.

Telemetry: Two PCM/PM trarnsmittors

operating at 136,74 MHz

and 136.56 MHz, reopec-

tively.

Tracking and Data

Acquisition: Tracking, scientific and spacecraft

performance data will be acquired from

the GRS-A by the following stations:

* The Central German Ground Station,

Lichtenau, Federal Republic of

-. - Germany, which will relay real-timu

and taped data and commands botwoon

spacecraft and the German Control

Center at Oberpfaffenhofen, near

Munich.

* Stations of ESTRAC operated by the

European Space Research Organization

(ESRO) located in Ny Alesund,

Spitsbergen; Fairbanks, Alaska;

Redu, Belgium; and Port Stanley,

Falkland Islands.

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GRS-8 -

GRS-A/AZUR FACT SHEET (CONT'D.)

Tracking and Dat * Special stations under contract

Aciiuiisiti~on:(CO.7 d.)
to Gesellschaft fuer Weltraum-

forschung, mbH (Space Research

Corporation) at Kevo, Finland;

Churchill Research Range, Canada;

and Reykjavik, Iceland.

ij
sta -@9 -

DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTS

El 15 MAGNETOMETER

A two component flux gate magnetometer mounted on an

extendable boom will be used. The two components are oriented

normal to each other and normal to the magnetic axis of the satellite.

The analog outputs of the two flux gates will be digitized using

a 12-bit analog digital converter. The 12-bit information will

be included twice in the main data frame which has a ten second

duration, while the last 6 bits will be transmitted in real time

every 100 milliseconds in order to measure small amplitude

transient disturbances of the geomagnetic field.

EI 88 PROTON-ALPHA TELESCOPE

This unit uses seven semiconductor surface barrier detec-

tors mounted one behind the other. Particles entering the 28

degree cone of acceptance will be detected using a three-fold

coincidental/anti-coincidental scheme according to their energy

in seven different channels. A scintillation counter surrounds

the detector stack and gives veto signals if particles from

unwanted directions enter the device. Two sets of this tele-

scope will be used on the satellite. The one is oriented under

an angle of 90 degrees relative to the magnetic axis, the other

under an angle of 135 degrees. A magnet in the entrance aperture

will sweep off electrons which otherwise might disturb the pro-

ton measurements.

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-. '^-. ,-- .- -
GRS-10 -

DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTS (CONT'D)

EI 92 LOW ENERGY PROTON TELESCOPE

Two surface barrier semiconductor detectors mounted

one behinO the other serve fr>r low energy proton detection.

Particles entering the back detector will not be counted by

using the signal from this one as a veto. Directional pro-

perties are achieved by using a solid aperture. A magnet in the

aperture will prevent electrons from reaching the first detec-

tor. Information will be obtained by counting into six

different energy channels:

EI 93 PROTON-ELECTRON DETECTOR

'Two different units are used of the same build up. A

lithium diffused cubic semiconductor detector is installed in

each unit and is covered by a semispherically-shaped absorber,

whicn has different wall thicknesses in the two units. Two-

level pulse height discrimination is done on each of both units

thus allowing the measurement of Drotons and electrons in two energy

ranges. The units accept particles from a hemisphere

and are therefore mounted to the spacecraft's skin such that

the spacecraft will not shadow the two units.

EI 95 ELECTRON DETECTOR

This unit uses three Geiger Muellcr Counters which have

a very thin mica windows so that 40 keV electrons may

be detected. They are oriented such that one looks normal to

the magnetic axis of the satellite while the other two look

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GRS-ll -

DESCRIPTION OF EXPERIMENTS (CONT'D)

parallel and anti-parallel relative to the magnetic moment

vector of the satellite. A fourth detector is shielded in

order to get background information. One dat. channel per

detector is used. Information is transmitted twice in each

10-second data frame, and in addition in real time with about a
12 millisecond time resolution.
EI 101 PROTON MONITOR
Two Geiger Mueller Counters with range cross sections are
placed on top of the satellite. The two counters are
shielded by different masses, so they respond to charged parti-
cles with energy above two different energy thresholds.
El 102 PHOTOMETER
Aphotnmultiplier watching the optical intensity behind an
interference filter is used, its output current being digitized
by a neon glow tube circnit. Three such units will be used,
two looking toward the earth, over the northern hemisphere, the
third one away from the earth as a background reference. The
3914 A0 and 2972 A0 auroral optical emission lines will be ob-
served. Data will be transmitted in real time only. Measure-
ments will be performed during shadow times only.
v.. ... .. 7-

GRS-12 -

GRS-A/AZUR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

Ministry for Scientific Research (BMwF)

Mr. Max Mayer Head, Department of Space and

Aeronautics Research

Mr. Bernhard Gaedke Head, Subdepartment for Space

Flight and Technology

Mr. Herbert Lindner Head, Subdepartment for General

Affairs and Space Science

Dr. Arthur Schendel Head, Satellite Systems Section

Dr. Walther Regula Head, Extraterrestrial Research

Section

Mr. Manfred Otterbein Azur Program Manager

Dr. Eckhard Luebbert Azur Program Scientist

Space Research Corporation (GfW)

Mr. Walter Luksch Technical Director

Mr. Ants Kutzer Azur Project Manager

Mr. Dieter von Eckardstein Azur Deputy Project Manager

Mr. Martin Schurer Tracking & Data Acquisition

Manager, German Satellite Control
Center
Max, Planck Institute for Aeronomy
Dr. Erhard Keppler Azur Project Scientist

GRS-A/Azur Experimenters
Dr. Gunter Musmann Institut fuir Geophysik und
Meteorologie der Technischen
Hochschule, Braunschweig
Magnetometer (El-15)
Dr. Dierk Hovestadt Max-Planck-Institut fur
Extraterrestrische Physik,
Garching b. Mfinchen
Proton Telescope (EI 88) and
Proton Electron Detector (EI 93)
Mr. Jurgen Moritz Institut fur Reine-und-Angewandte-
kernphysik der Universit9At Kiel,
Kiel
Proton Telescope (EI-92)
GRS-13 -

Dr. Lothar Rossberg Max-Planck-Institut fqr Aeronomie,

Institut fMr Stratosphhrenphysik,
Lindau/Harz
Electron Counter (EI 95)

Dr. Erhard Kirsch Max-Planck-Institut fur Aeronomie,

Institut fur Stratosphbrenphysik,
Lindau/Harz
Charged Particle Counter (EI 101)

Dr. Albin Rossbach DFVLR - Institut fuir Physik der

Atmosphire, Oberpfaffenhofen/Obb
Photometer (EI 102)

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION-UNITED STATES

NASA Headquarters
Dr. John E. Naugle Associate Administrator, Office
of Space Science and Applications

Mr. Jesse Mitchell Director, Physics and Astronomy

Programs

Dr. Alois W. Lchardt Chief, Particles & Fields Program

GFS-A Program Scientist

Mr. John R. Holtz Explorers & Sounding Rockets

Program Manager, NASA Headquarters

Mr. Raymond Miller Explorers & Sounding Rockets

Deputy Program Manager

Mr. Paul E. Goozh Scout Program Manager

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Dr. John F. Clark Director

Mr. Daniel G. Mazur Director, Technology Division

Mr. Robert C. Baumann Chief, Spacecraft Integration &

Sounding Rocket Division

Mr. Allen L. Franta GRS-A Project Manager

Dr. George F. Pieper Director, Space Sciences

GRS-A Project Scientist

Mr. Charles F. Rice, Jr. GRS-A Project Coordinator j

Mr. William F. Mack GRS-A Tracking Manager
GRS-14 -

NASA Langley Research Center

Mr. Roland D. English Head, Scout Project Office

Mr. Larry R. Tant Scout Payload Coordinator

Mr. Clyde W. Winters Scout Project Launch Director

Western Test Range - Launch Operations

Mr. William D. Hinshaw Head, Langley Mission Support
Office, Western Test Range

Mr. Henry R. Van Goey Chief, Kennedy Space Center,

Unmanned Launch Operations,
Western Test Range

Mr. Canuto R. Fuentes GRS-A Coordinator, Kennedy Space

Center, Unmanned Launch Operations,
Western Test Range
GPS -1.5

MEMOPANDUM OF UNDERSTANDTIiOG
BFJT¶'VEEN TPV
GTPHMAN MINISTER FOR SC~rENTIFI.C PESEARCH
AND THE UNITED STATRS
NATIONAT. AERONAUTICS ANDr SPACE AOMINT.STRETION

1. Thor Germnn Min.stry fo.' Scientific Research (Bv'ndesministeri.um fur

Wisserscbaf.tliche Fortgchung (BMwF) and the United States National Aeronau-

tics snr Space Administration (NASA) affTirm a mutuaJ. interest in cooperating

in spaenc research for peaccftLl scientific purposes by conducting, on a timely

basis, a satellite project to investigate the earth's radiation belts. It

is hoped that this project will mature in 196 with the launching of a satel-

lite carrying energetic particles experiments from the Western Test Range of

the United States into dn elliptical earth orbit.

2. The cooperative project is planned to consist of two consecutive phases,

the second to proceed with mutual agreement that scientific and technical fea-

sibility has been demonstrated in the first:

Phase I--Appropriate sounding rocket and balloon payloads will be

launched, as mutually agreed, to test the functioning of prz. ..ed satellite

instrumentation and to verify the performance of the proposed satellite ex-

per ents.

Phase lI--A scientific satellite carrying experiments to perform an

integrated study of the spectra and fluxes of energetic particles in the

earth's inner radiation belts will be placed into an elliptical earth orbit

by a Scout vehicle.

3. It is understood that this program is experimental in character and,

therefore, subject to change, by mutual agreement, on the basis of the results

of Phase I and other technical requirements.

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GRS -16 -

4. The BMwF shall, in general, assume responsibility for:

a. Providing inst.rumentation for the agreed experiments for Phases

I and II.

b. Providing balloons and balloon launching support for experiments

to be tested in balloon flights.

c. Designing, fabricating, and testing of all payloads for sounding

rocket balloon and satellite flights, including satellite structure

and airborne telemetry, and delivering to the launch site two-*

flight-qualified payloads or spacecraft for each flight mission.

d. Supplying payload and spacecraft ground checkout and launch support

equipment.

e. Providing such tracking and data acquisition for Phase II as may

be feasible with the use of projected ground stations in West

Germany.

f. Reducing and analyzing the data in all phases of the program.

5. NASA shall, in general, assume responsibility for:

a. Providing a Javelin rocket and a Nike-Apache'rociet, with back-

ups, including appropriate nosecones, for Phase I.

b. Providing a Scout booster, with backup, including heat shields

and spacecraft tiedown and separation mechanisms, for Phase II.

c. Launching of the sounding rockets in Phase I and of the satellite

in Phase II.

d. Making available such training of German personnel in BMwF areas of

responsibility as may be required and feasible within the limitations

of NASA operational requirements.

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GRS - 17 -

e. Providing relevant technical consultation and technical data as

appropriate.

f. Providing technical assistance in spacecraft testing and review-

ing of final acceptance tests of satellite flight and backup units.

Final determination of the suitability of flight units for launching

wilJl be by joint BMwF/NASA decision.

g. Tracking and data acquisition, as mutually agreed, in Phases I

and II of the program, using existing NASA sounding rocket and

scientific satellite tracking and data-acquisition facilities.

6, No exchange of funds is contemplated between the two cooperating

agencies. Each agency will bear the costs of discharging its respective

responsibilities, including travel and subsistence of its own personnel and

transportation charges on all equipment for which it is responsible.

7. Each agency agrees to designate a single Project Manager to be respon-

sible for coordinating the agreed functions and responsibilities of each

agency with the other in the implementation of this agreement. Together

they will establish a Joint Working Group with appropriate membership. De-

tails for implementation shall be resolved on a mutual basis within this

working group.

8. The scheduling of the two phases of the program shall be as mutually

agreed.

9. BMwF and NASA will use their best efforts to arrange for free customs

clearance of equipment required in this project.

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GRS -18-

10. Data obtained from the experiments siaUl be provided to the BMwF

principal investigators fox -heir analysis and evaluation for a period of

approximately 1 year. (However, du.ring this period, NASA may, for its own

use, obtain copies of tapes or reduced data records as soon as they become

available, without prejudice to the principal investigators' interests in

first publication.)

During this 1-year period, ill requests for data shall be referred to

the BMwF principal investigators. After this period, records or copies of

reduced data will be deposited with the NASA Space Science Data Center and

listed with the appropriate World Data Center. Such records will then be

made available to interested scientists, upon reasonable request, by the

World Data Center or other selected repository. Preliminary and final re-

sults of the experiments will be made available to the scientific community

in general through publication in appropriate journals and other established

channels.

11. Release of public infoxmation regarding the Joint project may be made

by each agency for its own portions of the project as desired and, insofar

as the participation of the other is involved, after suitable coordination.

r th CaBtellieri s u Huegh L. Dryden

For the Bundesministerium fur For the National Aeronautics
Wissenschaftliche Forschung and Space Administration

July 17, 1-
Date

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r7
SNATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (202) 962-4155
N EWS3 WASHINGTON,-D.C. 20546 SSW: (202) 963-6925
FOR RELEASE: IMMEDIATE
October 28, 1969

UEITEASE NO: 69-i47

BOEING LRV CONTRACT

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has

selected The Boeing Co., Aerospace Group, Huntsville, Ala.,

to design, develop, test and deliver four flight-qualified

lunar roving vehicles and related test and training equip-

ment.

The four flight vehicles will be used in manned ex-

ploration of the Moon's surface. Boeing was one of four

contractors who had submitted proposals for this work.

Estimated value of the cost-plus-incentive-fee contract

is $19 million.

The lunar rover will provide transportation on the Moon

for two astronauts and equipment for the collection of lunar
samples and performance of other experiments.

The four-wheeled vehicles will be carried to the Moon

aboard the descent stages of the Apollo spacecraft lunar

module on flights planned in the 1971-72 period.
-end- 10/28/69