Jump to content

Azur (satellite)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Azur
OperatorBMWF/DLR
COSPAR ID1969-097A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.4221
Mission duration7 months, 20 days (achieved)
54 years, 10 months, 24 days (in orbit)
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerBMWF/NASA
Launch mass71 kilograms (157 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date8 November 1969, 01:52 (1969-11-08UTC01:52Z) UTC
RocketScout B S169C
Launch siteVandenberg SLC-5
End of mission
Last contact29 June 1970 (1970-06-30)
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeMedium Earth
Decayed into Low Earth
Periapsis altitude368 kilometres (229 mi)
Apoapsis altitude1,445 kilometres (898 mi)
Inclination102.70 degrees
Period102.99 minutes
Epoch6 December 2013, 12:36:47 UTC[1]

Azur (also called GRS-A) was West Germany's first scientific satellite. Launched on 8 November 1969 it studied the Van Allen belts, solar particles, and aurorae.[2] [3]

The construction of the satellite was carried out by Ludwig Bölkow, one of the aeronautical pioneers of Germany, and with the participation of other German companies.[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "AZUR (GRS A) Satellite details 1969-097A NORAD 4221". N2YO. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  2. ^ "Azur". The Internet Encyclopedia Of Science. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
  3. ^ "Azur, Aeros, and Dial-Wika satellites". Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Colorado State University. Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
  4. ^ "Azur: The first German satellite".
[edit]