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ANS

NSSDC ID: 1974-070A

Description

The Astronomical Netherlands Satellite (ANS) was an earth-orbiting, sun-synchronous satellite, designed as an astronomical observatory. The spacecraft was attitude-controlled by magnetic coils interacting with the earth's magnetic field, by reaction wheels, and by a so-called "yo-yo" (a device for initially despinning the spacecraft by ejecting two masses that carry away most of the angular momentum). Attitude sensing was carried out by solar sensors (coarse, intermediate, and fine), horizon sensors, a star sensor, and a magnetometer. Two guide stars near the object being observed served as the final pointing references. Experiments on board observed celestial objects in UV and X-ray wavelengths. During its observing lifetime of 20 months (September 1974 to June 1976), ANS measured the positions, spectra, and time variations of galactic and extragalactic X-ray sources in the energy range 2 to 15 keV, and obtained over 18,000 observations of about 400 objects in the UV range 1500 to 3300 A. For additional details, see W. Bloemendal and C. Kramer, Philips Tech. Rev., v. 33, p. 117, 1973.

Alternate Names

  • Astronomical Netherlands Satellite
  • 07427

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 1974-08-30
Launch Vehicle: Scout
Launch Site: Vandenberg AFB, United States
Mass: 129.8 kg

Funding Agencies

  • Netherlands Institute for Aeronautics and Space (The Netherlands)
  • NASA-Office of Space Science (United States)

Discipline

  • Astronomy

Additional Information

Experiments on ANS

Data collections from ANS

Questions or comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office.

 

Personnel

Name Role Original Affiliation E-mail
Mr. George E. Kowalski General Contact NASA Goddard Space Flight Center  
Dr. W. Bloemendal Project Manager Fokker Aircraft Company  
Mr. Theodore P. Stecher Project Scientist NASA Goddard Space Flight Center stecher@uit.gsfc.nasa.gov
Mr. John R. Holtz Program Manager NASA Headquarters  
Mr. Emil W. Hymowitz Project Manager NASA Goddard Space Flight Center  
Dr. Nancy G. Roman Program Scientist NASA Headquarters nancy.g.roman@gsfc.nasa.gov
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