SAMPEX

SOLAR, ANOMALOUS AND MAGNETOSPHERIC

PARTICLE EXPLORER

Press Kit

J U N E 1992

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 CONTENTS

PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS ................................................................ 1

GENERAL RELEASE .............................................................................. 2

SCIENCE OBJECTIVES ......................................................................... 3
SAMPEX INSTRUMENTS ....................................................................... 3
SCHEMATIC OF SPACECRAFT .............................................................. 5
LAUNCH OPERATIONS.......................................................................... 6

LAUNCH VEHICLE AND LAUNCH PREPARATIONS ................................ 7

MISSION TIMEL1NE ............................................................................... 8

LAUNCH VEHICLE ............................................................................... 9
SCIENCE OPERATIONS ....................................................................... 10

SMALL EXPLORER DATA SYSTEM ...................................................... 10

GROUND SEGMENT OPERATIONS...................................................... 10

COOPERATIVE SATELLITE LEARNING PROJECT ................................ 11

SPACECRAFT SPECIFICS .................................................................... 12

PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES............................................................ 12

CO-INVESTIGATORS ........................................................................... 13

MISSION MANAGEMENT ..................................................................... 13

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 PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONTACTS

Paula Cleggett-Haleim
Office of Space Science and Applications
NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
(Phone: 202/453-1547)

Don Savage
NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
(Phone: 202/453-8400)

Dolores Beasley
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt. Md.
(Phone: 301 /286-2806)

Lisa Malone/Dick Young

Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
(Phone: 407/ 867-2468)

Jan Cooksey. KSC/VAF€3

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
(Phone: 805/734-8232, ext. 53820)

Lt. Col. Tom Worsdale

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
30 SPW/PA
(Phone: 805/734-8232, ext. 63595)

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RELEASE: 92-88
SAMPEX MISSION TO STUDY ENERGETIC PARTICLES FROM SPACE

NASA's Solar, Anomalous and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX)

satellite, an international collaboration with Germany, will contribute new
information on the composition of energetic particles arriving at Earth from the
solar atmosphere and interstellar space.
The satellite is scheduled for launch on a four-stage, Scout expendable launch
vehicle from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on June 19, 1992. The launch
window extends from 10:22a.m. to 10:41 a.m. EDT. SAMPEX is designed to
support a minimum mission duration of 1year, with a potential mission lifetime of
3 or more years.
This small explorer carries a payload of four particle detectors and is designed
to detect solar energetic particles, precipitating energetic electrons, anomalous
cosmic rays and galactic cosmic rays. Determining the abundance of each element
and the abundances of isotopes for many of the elements will enable scientists to
learn more about the sun, the interplanetary environment and the interstellar
environment. SAMPEX also will measure the number of relativistic electrons (at
speeds just below the speed of light) that enter the Earth's atmosphere and
contribute to the destruction of ozone.
SAMPEX was developed by the Small Explorer (SMEX) project at NASA's
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., in just 3 years since the mission was
initiated. SAMPEX, NASA's 68th Explorer mission, is the first in a series of small
explorer missions that NASA began in 1989 to perform astrophysics and space
physics investigations with satellites launched on small expendable launch
vehicles. Two other small explorer missions are currently manifested: the Fast
Auroral Snapshot Explorer, scheduled for launch in 1994, and the Submillimeter
Wave Astronomy Satellite, which will be launched in 1995. A n announcement of
opportunity for other small explorer missions will be released later this year.
Dr. Glenn M. Mason, University of Maryland, College Park, is Principal
Investigator for SAMPEX, and there are 10 co-investigators from American and
German institutions. Gilbert0 Colon is Mission Manager, Dr. Daniel Baker is
Project Scientist and Roberto Aleman is the SAMPEX Instrument Manager. All
three are from the Goddard Space Flight Center, as is Orlando Figueroa, Project
Manager for SMEX.

- end of general release -

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 SAMPEX SCIENCE OBJECTIVES
While SAMPEX, with its four instruments, is expected to provide unprecedented
detail about the composition of energetic particles from the pvwky Way galaxy
(galactic cosmic rays) and from the sun (solar energetic particles), the most
dramatic, new results are expected to come from measuring the composition of
"anomalous" cosmic rays. Anomalous cosmic rays are thought to be atoms of the
local, interstellar gas that enter the solar system, are ionized and then accelerated
to cosmic ray energies at the shock wave at the end of the solar wind.
At low latitudes, the Earth's magnetic field can turn back most charged,
energetic particles before they reach the 342-statute mile to 419-statute mile
altitude of SAMPEX's orbit. Nonetheless, SAMPEXs instruments are so sensitive
that during the time spent near the Earth's north and south magnetic poles,
SAMPEX will obtain 10 to 1 0 0 times more galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic
particles than any previous mission.
More importantly, SAMPEX will be able to use the shielding power of the
Earth's magnetic field at somewhat lower latitudes to discriminate energetic
particles coming from the sun and the galaxy from anomalous cosmic rays. If the
theory of anomalous cosmic rays is correct, the atoms should be only partially
ionized and therefore, able to penetrate the Earth's magnetic field at lower
latitudes. SAMPEX will confirm the theory if it observes anomalous cosmic rays at
the lower latitudes and will tell scientists much more about the atoms as well. The
possibility of directly measuring the composition of a sample of local interstellar
matter in this way has very high scientific value.

SAlMpEX INSTRUMENTS
The SAMPEX mission will carry four scientific instruments: the Low Energy Ion
Composition Analyzer, the Heavy Ion Large Telescope, the Mass Spectrometer
Telescope and the Proton/Electron Telescope.

Low Energy Ion Composition Analyzer (LEICA)

The LEICA instrument is a mass spectrometer that identifies incident mass and
energy by simultaneously measuring the time-of-flight and residual kinetic energy
of particles that enter the telescope and stop in one of four silicon, solid-state
detectors. An earlier model of this instrument flew on the Space Shuttle in 1989
as a Get Away Special (GAS) experiment. LEICA is provided by the University of
Maryland, College Park.

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Heavy Ion Large Telescope (HILT)
HILT will measure galactic cosmic rays and solar energetic particles when it is
near the Earth's magnetic poles. In addition, this instrument is designed to
determine the energy and elemental composition of anomalous cosmic rays at
energies where they are most abundant. HILT will measure the direction, energy
and charge of each nucleus from helium to nickel. HILT is provided by the Max
Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, Germany. An earlier
version of HILT also flew as a GAS experiment in 1989.

Mass Spectrometer Telescope (MAST)

This instrument will determine the direction, energy, element and isotope of
atoms from all elements up to nickel entering the instrument with velocities
between about 12 percent and 75 percent of the speed of light. MAST is provided
by the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena.

Proton/Electron Telescope (PET)

The PET system is designed to complement MAST by measuring the energy of
electrons, protons and helium nuclei coming from the Earth's radiation belts, the
sun, interplanetaxy space and interstellar space. The electrons will be moving very
close to the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) and could have a significant
effect on the destruction of ozone high in the Earth's atmosphere. PET is provided
by the California Institute of Technology and is housed in the same instrument box
as MAST.
These four instruments were constructed at the separate institutions and
integrated with a Data Processing Unit (DPU) provided by the Aerospace Corp. of El
Segundo, Calif. The DPU is responsible for overall control of the science payload
and controls instrument housekeeping functions.

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 The 8 hour, 10 minute launch countdown is scheduled to begin at 2: 12 a.m.
EDT on June 18. Included in the countdown is one built-in hold at the T minus 10
minute mark which extends from 10:02 to 10:12 a.m. EDT on June 19. Lift-off is
scheduled for 10:22a.m. EDT. The 19-minute launch window closes at 10:41 a.m.
EDT.
Major tasks in the countdown include a communications check, activating the
vehicle ground support equipment, check-out of the vehicle's electronic systems
and fueling the reaction control system. In addition, the vehicle and launcher will
be secured and erected, and a test of the ignition and destruct systems will be
conducted. A weather briefing and a status of the countdown is held about 1 hour
prior to launch.
A 24-hour turnaround can be supported depending on the nature of a launch
postponement. In the event of a 24-hour scrub, the vehicle and spacecraft will be
lowered from the launch platform and secured in the shelter at Space Launch
Complex (SLC)-5.
About 90 seconds after launch at an altitude of about 24 nautical miles the
second stage ignites and the first stage is separated from the vehicle. Next,the
heat shield encapsulating the SAMPEX payload will be jettisoned at 2 minutes, 28
seconds after launch.
The third stage is ignited and the second stage is separated about 2 minutes,
30 seconds after launch. This bum lasts for approximately 48 seconds. The
vehicle is oriented to the proper fourth stage attitude before spin up of the fourth
stage which occurs about 10 minutes after launch when the vehicle is at an
altitude of 300 nautical miles. Then, the third stage separates and performs a
retromaneuver to move safely out of stage four's path. The fourth stage is ignited
and bums for about 30 seconds. The Scout rocket delivers its payload into orbit
about 15 minutes after launch.

DOWNRANGE LAUNCH SUPPORT

Tracking station support to receive launch vehicle telemetry and data from the
first three stages will be provided by NASA and Air Force telemetry stations.
Fourth stage data will be provided by an Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft
which is a modified C-135aircraft and serves as an airborne tracking station.

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SCOUT LAUNCH VEHICLE AND SAMPEX LAUNCH PREPARATIONS
Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Fla., is responsible for the preparation and
launch of the Scout launch vehicle which will loft the SAMPEX payload into orbit
from NASA's Western Test Range at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), Calif. The
Scout is a four-stage solid propellant unmanned launch vehicle that has a 98
percent success record over the last 20 years.
A team of 30 KSC employees rotate duty at Vandenberg so that five are on hand
during the assembly of the Scout rocket and the payload at Vandenberg. The four
rocket motors arrived at the west coast facility by truck during the period from
February 18 to March 29, 1991 for a previous mission that was canceled. The
motors were stored at VAFB until build-up commenced in early January 1992.
Following the motor build-up, a series of vehicle systems tests were conducted
March 12-27.
The vehicle was installed on the launcher at SLC-5, located at the VAFB south
base, May 15-18. An electronic functional test was conducted May 20.
The SAMPEX payload arrived at Vandenberg by truck on May 20. It was
transferred to the Dynamic Balance Facility on May 28 where it was mated to the
fourth stage and went through static and dynamic balancing operations. The
payload is scheduled to be transported to SLC-5 on June 5 where it will be
attached to the Scout rocket.
The Scout program is managed by Goddard's Orbital Launch Services Project
for NASA's Offce of Space Science and Applications, Washington, D.C. From April
1959 to January 1991, Scout was managed by NASA's Langley Research Center,
Scout Project Office, Hampton, Va.

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MET
(MISSION ELAPSED TIME1 EVENT

L-1o:oo:oo Spacecraft Closeout

L-08:10:00 Begin Countdown

L-04:55:00 Begin Scout Fueling

G O 1 :55:00 Power on Spacecraft, Begin Configuring

Launch

L-00:04:30 Begin Spacecraft Terminal Phase

(Switch to Internal Power, Final Telemetry
Check)
L-00:02:00 Final Spacecraft Go/No Go

boo:00:00 scout Liftoff

L+00:01:24 First-Stage Burnout

W00:O 1 :28 First-Stage Separation and Second-Stage

Ignition

L+00:02:09 Second-Stage Burnout

L+00:02:22 Third-Stage Ignition and Second-Stage

Separation

Li-O0:03: 10 Third-Stage Burnout

L+OO:O9:54 Third-Stage Separation

Li-00:09:59 Fourth-Stage Ignition

Li-00:10:32 Fourth-Stage Burnout

L+OO:14:44 Spacecraft Separation

L+OO: 14:56 Solar Array Deployment

h04:21 :00 Initial Ground Station Pass (Madrid)

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 Separate From

Orient Vehicle
To Proper Fourth
Stage Attitude Spacecraft
.+ Despin and
Ignite Third Separate From Solar Arrays
‘a Stage ti Separate 4th Stage Deploy
T = 14156

i Third Stage
I Burnout
T= 3 : l O

Ignite Second
Stage & Separate
First Stage
T = 1 :28

T = 0O:OO T = Mission Elapsed Time(min:sec)

 SCIENCE OPERATIONS
The University of Maryland Science Operations Center (UMSOC), located in
College Park, is responsible for all science operations. After NASA captures the
data from the spacecraft, the UMSOC will receive the scientific data and distribute
Level 1 data and line plots to all co-investigator institutions and the National Space
Science Data Center at Goddard. Higher level science processing is carried out at
the remote investigator sites.

SMALL EXPLORER DATA SYSTEM

The SAMPEX control and data handling functions are performed by the Small
Explorer Data System (SEDS). The SEDS provides on-board computers that can
be programmed to perform mission unique functions as required and provides
autonomous operation of the spacecraft when it is not in contact with the ground.
The data system uses computer memory instead of more conventional tape
recorders to record spacecraft telemetry data.
The management of the Mission Operations and Data Analysis phase of the
SAMPEX mission will be transferred from the SMEX Roject Office to the Orbiting
Satellites Project Office within 30 days after launch. Both project offices are
located at Goddard.

GROUND SEGMENT OPERATIONS

Goddard's Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va., is the primary ground
station for communication with the spacecraft. Other ground stations are in
Madrid, Spain; the Canberra Deep Space Tracking Station in Australia and the
Goldstone Deep Space Tracking Station, Goldstone, Calif.

SMALL SPACE MISSIONS

SAMPEX is the first in a series of small explorer missions initiated to address a
number of important scientific problems using small scientific satellites in Earth
orbit. The misisons are relatively low cost, and NASA's goal is to launch one small
explorer mission per year following a relativelty short development time frame. The
launch of SAMPEX comes just over 3 years since its inception in April 1989.

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 COOPERATIVE SATELLITE LEARNING PROJECT
The Cooperative Satellite Learning Project is a unique educational partnership
between Laurel High School, Laurel, Md.; Bendix Field Engineering Corp.,
Seabrook, Md.; Falcon Microsystems. Landover. Md.; and Goddard that involves
high school students in the process of developing and operating SAMPEX.
This pilot program provides students with a n understanding of the overall "end-
to-end" system used to support SAMPEX and will demonstrate how NASA
implements a specific mission for a given scientific endeavor. It also introduces the
students to careers in space.
A Mission Monitor System in the high school will receive and process SAMPEX
satellite data and provide computer-assisted tutoring. In this way, students will
participate directly in SAMPEX tests, simulations and orbital operations.

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 SPACECRAFT SPECIFICS

Payload: Four particle detectors

SAMPEX Orbit: 342 x 419 statute miles
Orbit Inclination: 82 degrees

Weight: 348 pounds

Length: 4.5 feet stowed
Diameter: 2.8 feet stowed
Design Life: 3 years
Launch Vehicle: scout
Foreign Participation: Max Planck Institute, Garching, Germany

PROGRAlvI RESPONSIBILITIES
Spacecraft Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Science Operations University of Maryland, College Park
Launch Operations Kennedy Space Center, Ma.

Scout Launch Vehicle Goddard Space Flight Center

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 SAFWEX CO-INVESTIGATORS

Dr. D. Baker Goddard Space Flight Center. Greenbelt, Md.

Project Scientist
Dr. J. Blake Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, Calif.
Data Processing Unit

L. callis Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.

Data Analysis
Dr. D. Hamilton University of Maryland, College Park, Md.
LEICA

Dr. D. Hovestadt Max Planck Institute, Garching, Germany

HILT
Dr. B. Klecker Max Planck Institute, Garching, Germany
HILT

Dr. R. Mewaldt Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of

Technology, Pasadena, Calif.
MAST, PET

Dr. M. Scholer Max Planck Institute, Garching, Germany

HILT

Dr. E. Stone California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif.

MAST, PET

Dr. T. Von Rosenvinge Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.

MAST, PET

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 SAMPEX MISSION MANAGEMENT

NASA HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, D.C.

Dr. Lennard A. Fisk Associate Administrator, Office of Space Science and

Applications
Alphonso V. Diaz Deputy Associate Administrator, Offke of Space
Science and Applications
Dr. Dave Gilman Program Manager
Dr. Vernon Jones Program Scientist
Charles R. GUM Director, Expendable Launch Vehicle Division

GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER, GREENBELT, MD.

Dr. John Klineberg Director, Goddard Space Flight Center
Peter T. Burr Deputy Director, Goddard Space Flight Center
Orlando Figueroa Project Manager
Dr. Dan Baker Project Scientist
Gilbert0 Colon SAMPEX Mission Manager

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA.

Robert L. Crippen Director, Kennedy Space Center

James A. "Gene" Thomas Deputy Director, Kennedy Space Center

John T. Conway Director, Payload Management and Operations

James L. Womack Director, Expendable Vehicle Operations

George E. Looschen Chief, Expendable Launch Vehicle Operations

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

Dr. Glenn Mason Principal Investigator

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