On-orbit science in a small package: managing the ALEXIS satellite and experiments

Diane C. Roussel-Dupre; Jeffrey J. Bloch; Doug Ciskowski; Robert Dingler; Cynthia K. Little; Meg Kennison; William C. Priedhorsky; Sean Ryan; Richard Warner

doi:10.1117/12.187467

23 September 1994 On-orbit science in a small package: managing the ALEXIS satellite and experiments

Diane C. Roussel-Dupre, Jeffrey J. Bloch, Doug Ciskowski, Robert Dingler, Cynthia K. Little, Meg Kennison, William C. Priedhorsky, Sean Ryan, Richard Warner

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Proceedings Volume 2267, Advanced Microdevices and Space Science Sensors; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.187467
Event: SPIE's 1994 International Symposium on Optics, Imaging, and Instrumentation, 1994, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The Array of Low Energy X-ray Imaging Sensors (ALEXIS) satellite is Los Alamos' first attempt at building and flying a small, low cost, rapid development, technology demonstration and scientific space mission. The ALEXIS satellite contains the two experiments: the ALEXIS telescope array, (which consists of six EUV/ultrasoft x-ray telescopes utilizing multilayer mirrors, each with a 33 degree field-of-view), and VHF ionospheric experiment called BLACKBEARD. The spacecraft is controlled exclusively from a ground station located at Los Alamos. The 113-kg ALEXIS satellite was launched by a Pegasus booster into a 750 X 850 km, 70 degree inclination orbit on April 25, 1993. Due to damage sustained at the time of launch, ground controllers did not make contact with the satellite until late June. By late July, full satellite operations had been restored through the implementation of new procedures for attitude control. Science operations with the two onboard experiments began at that time. This paper will discuss our experience gained in launching and managing this small scientific and technology demonstration satellite.

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Diane C. Roussel-Dupre, Jeffrey J. Bloch, Doug Ciskowski, Robert Dingler, Cynthia K. Little, Meg Kennison, William C. Priedhorsky, Sean Ryan, and Richard Warner "On-orbit science in a small package: managing the ALEXIS satellite and experiments", Proc. SPIE 2267, Advanced Microdevices and Space Science Sensors, (23 September 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.187467

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