Prisma (satellite project)

Prisma is a satellite project led by the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) which consist of two satellites that fly in formation.[1] Prisma is operated in collaboration with CNES, the French space agency, which provides the radiofrequency metrology system that enables the satellites to fly in close formation while autonomously avoiding collisions.[3]

Prisma
Prisma satellite during integration
Mission typeTechnology demonstrator
OperatorSwedish National Space BoardDLRCNES
COSPAR IDMango: 2010-028B
Tango: 2010-028F
SATCAT no.Mango: 36599
Tango: 36827
Mission duration1 year planned
14 years, 5 months and 5 days elapsed
Spacecraft properties
ManufacturerSaab Ericsson SpaceOmnisys InstrumentsECAPS
Launch massMango: 145 kg (320 lb)
Tango: 50 kg (110 lb)
DimensionsMango: 80 cm × 130 cm (31 in × 51 in)
Tango: 80 cm × 31 cm (31 in × 12 in)
PowerMango: 300 watts
Tango: 90 watts
Start of mission
Launch date15 June 2010, 14:42:16 UTC (2010-06-15UTC14:42:16Z)[1]
RocketDnepr rocket
Launch siteDombarovsky 370/13
ContractorISC Kosmotras
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeSun-synchronous
Semi-major axis7,086 kilometres (4,403 mi)[2]
Perigee altitude668.3 kilometres (415.3 mi)[2]
Apogee altitude749 kilometres (465 mi)[2]
Inclination98.4 degrees[2]
Period99 minutes[2]
Epoch24 March 2015, 11:08:39 UTC[2]

It was launched, along with the PICARD spacecraft, on 15 June 2010 on a Dnepr launcher from Dombarovskiy Cosmodrome, near Yasny, Russia. Its primary objective is to test autonomous formation flying.[1][4] A secondary objective was to flight test a new monopropellant thruster using ammonium dinitramide (ADN) propellant.[5]

On 12 August 2010, SSC reported that the two satellites, called Mango and Tango, had separated from each other for the first time.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Successful launch of the Swedish Prisma satellites". Swedish Space Corporation. 15 June 2010. Archived from the original on 24 June 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "PRISMA (MANGO) Satellite details 2010-028B NORAD 36599". N2YO. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  3. ^ "PRISMA PROGRAMME SEEKS TO ACQUIRE EXPERTISE IN FORMATION FLYING" (Press release). Toulouse: CNES. June 22, 2006. Retrieved 2018-04-30.
  4. ^ Clark, Stephen (15 June 2010). "French Sun Satellite and Swedish Experiment Blast Off on Russian Rocket". Space.com. Retrieved 16 June 2010.
  5. ^ K. Anflo, et al., SSC09-II-4, EXPANDING THE ADN-BASED MONO PROPELLANT THRUSTER FAMILY (accessed 22 July 2014); K. Anflo, et al., SSC07-X-2, FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION OF NEW THRUSTER AND GREEN PROPELLANT TECHNOLOGY ON THE PRISMA SATELLITE (accessed 22 July 2014)
  6. ^ "The Swedish Prisma satellites have separated". Swedish Space Corporation. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 12 August 2010.
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