The X4 Spacecraft.

Abstract

X4 (MIRANDA) is the first British technological satellite to be attitude controlled in 3 axes. In addition to the attitude control system it carries four other experiments: an infrared horizon crossing indicator, a star sensor, a 100-element linear photodiode albedo horizon sensor, and an experiment to determine the behaviour of thin solar cells. The satellite is equipped with a lightweight fold-up solar array and multitrack tape recorders. It was launched by a Scout rocket on 9 March 1974, from the Western Test Range, California, USA. The X4 mission has successfully achieved all its experimental objectives, despite the presence of contamination in the propane gas system which has caused fluctuations in the pressure of the gas supplied to the attitude control jets.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 01, 1974
Accession Number
ADA015208

Entities

People

  • D. W. Allen

Organizations

  • Royal Aircraft Establishment

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Attitude Control Systems
  • Control Jets
  • Control Systems
  • Detectors
  • Flight Control Systems
  • Horizon Scanners
  • Recording Systems
  • Solar Cells
  • Solar Panels
  • Spacecraft
  • Tape Recorders

Readers

  • Academic Conference Management
  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers