NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1969-097A
The magnetically aligned spacecraft Azur, or GRS-A (German Research satellite A), launched into a near-polar orbit on 8 November 1969 from Vandenberg AFB, was the first West German satellite. It was a product of a joint effort by NASA-GSFC and the German Bundesministerium fur Wissenschaftliche Forschung (BMWF) and had as its primary purpose the acquisition of terrestrial radiation belt data. Specifically, the scientific mission of the spacecraft was as follows: (1) to scan the energy spectra of inner zone protons and electrons, (2) to measure the fluxes of electrons of energy greater than 40 keV that are parallel, antiparallel, and perpendicular to the magnetic lines of force over the auroral zone and to measure associated optical emission, and (3) to record solar protons on alert. After about 24 hours in orbit, a command system instability developed and persisted intermittently throughout the flight. The tape recorder failed on December 8, 1969. Prior to this failure, the German project office estimated that 85-90% of the expected data had been obtained. All experiments were operating normally until the spacecraft telemetry system malfunctioned in early July 1970.
Launch Date: 1969-11-08
Launch Vehicle: Scout
Launch Site: Vandenberg AFB, United States
Mass: 70.7 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Dr. H. Kent Hills
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Mr. Gerald D. Repass | General Contact | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | grepass@hst.nasa.gov |
Dr. Alois W. Schardt | General Contact | NASA Headquarters | |
Mr. Bernard G. Narrow | General Contact | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | |
Dr. Raymond E. Miller | General Contact | NASA Headquarters | miller@cs.umd.edu |
Mr. Charles F. Rice | General Contact | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | |
Mr. Allen L. Franta | Project Manager | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | afranta@pop500.gsfc.nasa.gov |
Mr. Ants Kutzer | Project Manager | Ges fur Weltraumforschung | |
Dr. George F. Pieper | Project Scientist | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | gfpieper@aol.com |
Ms. Della Stewart | General Contact | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center | |
Dr. Ehrhard Keppler | Project Scientist | Max-Planck-Institut fur Aeronomie | keppler@linmpi.mpe.de |