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by | Mar 16, 2018 | Hosta

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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

  1. ^ a b "International Designator 1994-034". Celestrak. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  2. ^ a b "International Designator 2000-072". Celestrak. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b "STRV 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  4. ^ "STRV Satellites Ready for Launch". About.com. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  5. ^ "Sat Cat". Celestrak. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  6. ^ a b "SPACEWARN Bulletin 565". NASA. Retrieved 26 June 2012.


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