Sloshsat-FLEVO

In this article, we will explore the fascinating life of the famous Sloshsat-FLEVO, whose contributions have left an indelible mark on history. From his humble beginnings to his rise to the top, Sloshsat-FLEVO has captivated people of all ages and from all walks of life. Throughout these pages, we will discover the achievements, challenges, and important moments that have defined Sloshsat-FLEVO's journey, as well as his lasting impact on the world around him. Join us on this journey through the life of Sloshsat-FLEVO and discover how his legacy continues to inspire and influence generations to come.

Sloshsat-FLEVO
Mission typeMicrogravity research
OperatorESA
NLR
ISA[1]
COSPAR ID2005-005C Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.28544
Websitemost.gov.il/English/space/projects/Pages/SLOSHSAT.aspx
http://www.esa.int/export/esaMI/Launchers_Home/SEMNFZ0XDYD_0.html
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerNLR/Rafael
Launch mass129 kilograms (284 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date12 February 2005, 21:03:01 (2005-02-12UTC21:03:01Z) UTC
RocketAriane 5ECA
Launch siteKourou ELA-3
ContractorArianespace
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeosynchronous transfer
Perigee altitude266 kilometres (165 mi)
Apogee altitude35,726 kilometres (22,199 mi)
Inclination6.7 degrees
Period631.19 minutes
Epoch14 April 2005[2]

SLOSHSAT-FLEVO (Sloshsat Facility for Liquid Experimentation and Verification in Orbit) is a microsatellite launched to investigate the dynamics of fluids in microgravity. FLEVO stands for Facility for Liquid Experimentation and Verification in Orbit. Multiple sensors were used to monitor the behavior of water in an instrumented tank and how sloshing affects the attitude control of launchers and space vehicles.[1]

The project is a joint program between ESA, the Netherlands Agency for Aerospace Programmes, and the Israel Space Agency.[3] The primary contractor is the National Aerospace Laboratory providing the spacecraft structure and power systems. The ejection system and ground support equipment were contracted by NEWTEC. The ISA was responsible for supplying the sub-propulsion system which was built and assembled by Rafael.

Spacecraft

The spacecraft itself is a 90-cm cube microsatellite covered by solar cells and fitted with 12 small thrusters.

Launch

Originally Sloshsat-FLEVO was to be launched from the Space Shuttle and use the shuttle as a data relay, but after the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster the satellite was modified to be launched on board the Ariane-5 qualification flight.[4] The satellite was launched from the Guiana Space Centre launch site at Kourou, French Guiana on 12 February 2005.[5]

Experiment

The SLOSHSAT-FLEVO is the first satellite entirely dedicated to liquid research in space. The satellite was equipped with an 87-litre cylindrical tank containing 33.5 litres of de-ionised water. 270 sensors were placed on the tank's walls to measure the sloshing behavior by calculating the thickness of the water. Three accelerometers and a fibre-optic gyroscope were used to measure the motion of the spacecraft. An array of temperature, pressure and fluid velocity sensors were also installed on the craft.[1][3]

After depletion of the propellants and completion of the experiment, the satellite was turned off. The satellite had a lifetime of around 14 days. ESA estimate that without active debris removal the orbit would decay by 2335.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Sloshsat FLEVO". ESA. Archived from the original on March 18, 2005. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  2. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  3. ^ a b "SLOSHSAT". The Israel Space Agency. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  4. ^ "Sloshsat-FLEVO". space.skyrocket.de.
  5. ^ "Sloshsat-FLEVO". arc.aiaa.org. 17 October 2005. doi:10.2514/6.IAC-05-B5.3.B5.5.05.
  • Shimshon Adler, Abraham Warshavsky, and Arie Peretz. "Low-Cost Cold-Gas Reaction Control System for the Sloshsat FLEVO Small Satellite", Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 42, No. 2 (2005), pp. 345–351. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.5128