Sloshsat-FLEVO
| Mission type | Microgravity research |
|---|---|
| Operator |
ESA NLR ISA[1] |
| COSPAR ID | 2005-005C |
| SATCAT № | 28544 |
| Website |
most http: |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | NLR/Rafael |
| Launch mass | 129 kilograms (284 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 12 February 2005, 21:03:01 UTC |
| Rocket | Ariane 5ECA |
| Launch site | Kourou ELA-3 |
| Contractor | Arianespace |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Geosynchronous transfer |
| Perigee | 266 kilometres (165 mi) |
| Apogee | 35,726 kilometres (22,199 mi) |
| Inclination | 6.7 degrees |
| Period | 631.19 minutes |
| Epoch | 14 April 2005[2] |
SLOSHSAT-FLEVO 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
The satellite was set to be launched from the Guiana Space Centre launch site at Kourou, French Guiana on 12 February 2005.
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]
References
- 1 2 3 "Sloshsat FLEVO". ESA. Archived from the original on March 18, 2005. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- ↑ McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- 1 2 "SLOSHSAT". The Israel Space Agency. Retrieved 20 November 2013.