Chronology - Quarter 1 2000

home topic index

Previous Home Next 2000 January 3 - Galileo, Europa 26 Flyby Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Galileo. 2000 January 4 - Chinese tracking fleet returns Nation: China. Spacecraft: Shenzhou. The Chinese space tracking ship "Yuanwang 3" has returned to the Jiangnan Port of Nanjing in East China's Jiangsu Province after successfully completing its mission with China's first experimental spacecraft "Shenzhou." The other three ships, Yuanwang 1, 2 and 4, returned from their missions earlier. During their 259-day voyage, the four ships traveled some 62, 000 nautical miles and experienced some heavy seas while tracking and communicating with the "Shenzhou" for a total of 150 minutes. (People's Daily) --- note the December 12 news (all 4 ships return) on this site is not precise. References: 424. 2000 January 9 - 20:50 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: L. Launch Pad: K. Launch Vehicle: S. Model: S-310. LV Configuration: S-310-29. WAVE2000 Aeronomy mission Nation: Japan. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 179 km (111 mi). References: 2. 2000 January 19 - 02:19 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF03. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 2. LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 MSLS IFT-4. MSLS IFT-4 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFMC. Apogee: 1,600 km (900 mi). The only decoy used was the single large balloon from the previous tests. Smaller balloons originally had been planned to be a part of IFT-4, but were dropped in an attempt to simplify the test. References: 2. 2000 January 19 - 02:40 GMT - Launch Site: Kwajalein. Launch Complex: Meck. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Payload Launch Vehicle. LV Configuration: Minuteman 2 PLV PLV. IFT-4 EKV ABM test Nation: USA. Agency: USA SSDC. Apogee: 230 km (140 mi). Unsuccessful ABM test. First end-to-end system test (intercept attempt) using NMD prototype elements (except the IFICS) and range assets to approximate the objective system. The EKV was again successfully delivered by a surrogate booster and separated into the deployment basket. The failure to intercept was directly traceable to the cryogenic cooling system of the EKV, which failed to cool the IR sensors down to their operating temperatures in time because of an obstructed cooling line. References: 2. 2000 January 21 - 01:03 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36A. Launch Pad: SLC36A. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas IIA. LV Configuration: Atlas IIA AC-138. USA 148 Nation: USA. Program: DSCS. Payload: DSCS III B-8. Mass: 1,232 kg (2,716 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DSCS III. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Valley Forge. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-001A. USAF Sat Cat: 26052. Part of the US Air Force Defense Satellite Communications System. To be stationed in geosynchronous orbit over the Pacific Ocean. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 January 24 - Discovery of Dhofar 019 Meteorite (Mars Meteorite) Nation: Libya. 2000 January 25 - 01:04 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 42L. LV Configuration: Ariane 42L-3 V126. Galaxy 10R Nation: USA. Program: Galaxy. Payload: Galaxy XR. Mass: 1,987 kg (4,380 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: Panamsat. Perigee: 35,785 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,787 km (22,236 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-002A. USAF Sat Cat: 26056. Geosynchronous communications satellite launched to supplement Panamsat's Galaxy cable TV distribution constellation. It carried Ku and C band transponders and was to be stationed at 127 deg W. A replacement for Galaxy 10, lost on the first Delta 3 launch failure. Stationed at 123 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 123 deg W in 2000. As of 3 September 2001 located at 122.99 deg W drifting at 0.002 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 123.03W drifting at 0.000E degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 January 25 - 16:45 GMT - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: LC2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: CZ-3A. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 3A CZ3A-4 (60). Zhongxing-22 Nation: China. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FH-1. Manufacturer: China Acad. Space Tech., Beijing. Agency: CAST. Perigee: 35,771 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 26058. First Chinese military communications satellite. Perhaps an update of the DFH-3 design. Stationed at 98 deg E. The first in a planned constellation of satellites to be launched through 2010. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 98 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 98.03 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 97.95E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 January 27 - 03:03 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC8. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minotaur. Model: Minotaur 1. LV Configuration: Minotaur 1 1. JAWSAT Nation: USA. Payload: P98-1. Mass: 64 kg (141 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: JAWSAT. Manufacturer: Weber State University, Utah. Agency: Weber St. Perigee: 753 km (468 mi). Apogee: 805 km (501 mi). Inclination: 100.20 deg. Period: 100.36 min. COSPAR: 2000-004A. USAF Sat Cat: 26061. Joint USAF Academy/Weber State Satellite. Payloads included a plasma experiment, a particle detector, and a technology test. References: 2, 552, 554. OCSE Nation: USA. Payload: Optical Calibration Sphere. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: L'Garde, Inc. Agency: USAF SOR. Perigee: 677 km (421 mi). Apogee: 711 km (442 mi). Inclination: 100.22 deg. Period: 98.57 min. COSPAR: 2000-004B. USAF Sat Cat: 26062. Decay Date: 2001-03-05. Optical Calibration Sphere Experiment, a 3.5m diameter inflatable sphere built by L'Garde Inc. for calibrating the lasers at the AFRL Starfire Optical Range. The 0.48m long 0.41m diameter OCSE canister was ejected from the JAWSAT stack; 42 seconds later, with the canister clear of the other payloads, the canister door opened and 10 seconds after that inflation of the sphere began. The canister remains attached to the inflated sphere. Once inflated, the sphere's material becomes rigidized References: 2, 552, 554. OPAL Nation: USA. Payload: Orbiting Picosat Launcher. Mass: 13 kg (28 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: Stanford University. Agency: Stanford. Perigee: 754 km (468 mi). Apogee: 808 km (502 mi). Inclination: 100.20 deg. Period: 100.39 min. COSPAR: 2000-004C. USAF Sat Cat: 26063. Stanford University Orbiting Picosat Automated Launcher. Carried an acclerometer, a magnetometer, and six small picosatellites - Picosat 1 and 2, Stensat, and the Artemis triplets (JAK, Thelma, and Louise). The first two were deployed on February 7 at 0334:16 GMT. OPAL transmitter problems delayed the initial release. References: 2, 552, 554. Falconsat Nation: USA. Mass: 52 kg (114 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: USAF Academy, Colorado Springs. Agency: USAF Aca. Perigee: 754 km (468 mi). Apogee: 810 km (503 mi). Inclination: 100.20 deg. Period: 100.41 min. COSPAR: 2000-004D. USAF Sat Cat: 26064. USAF Academy satellite, carried the CHAWS-LD (Charging Hazards and Wake Studies-Long Duration) experiment to measure spacecraft charging effects in LEO. References: 2, 552, 554. ASUSAT Nation: USA. Mass: 5.00 kg (11.00 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: Arizona State University. Agency: Arizona. Perigee: 754 km (468 mi). Apogee: 809 km (502 mi). Inclination: 100.20 deg. Period: 100.40 min. COSPAR: 2000-004E. USAF Sat Cat: 26065. Arizona State University satellite with an Earth imager and an amateur radio transponder. References: 2, 552, 554. Picosat 2 Nation: USA. Mass: 0 kg ( lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: MEMS. Manufacturer: Aerospace Corp., El Segundo. Agency: DARPA. Perigee: 746 km (463 mi). Apogee: 796 km (494 mi). Inclination: 100.20 deg. COSPAR: 2000-004H. USAF Sat Cat: 26080. Deployed by the OPAL satellite on February 7 at 0334:16 GMT. Picosat 1 and 2 were each 0.25 kg DARPA/Aerospace Corp. MEMS (Micro Electro-mechanical Systems) picosatellites, each carrying intersatellite communications experiment and connected by a 30-m tether. References: 2, 552, 554. Picosat 1 Nation: USA. Mass: 0 kg ( lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: MEMS. Manufacturer: Aerospace Corp., El Segundo. Agency: DARPA. Perigee: 746 km (463 mi). Apogee: 796 km (494 mi). Inclination: 100.20 deg. COSPAR: 2000-004H. USAF Sat Cat: 26080. Deployed by the OPAL satellite on February 7 at 0334:16 GMT. Picosat 1 and 2 were each 0.25 kg DARPA/Aerospace Corp. MEMS (Micro Electro-mechanical Systems) picosatellites, each carrying intersatellite communications experiment and connected by a 30-m tether. References: 2, 552, 554. Thelma Nation: USA. Mass: 68 kg (149 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: Santa Clara University. Agency: SCREEM. Perigee: 747 km (464 mi). Apogee: 797 km (495 mi). Inclination: 100.20 deg. COSPAR: 2000-004J. USAF Sat Cat: 26091. Three picosatellites (JAK, Thelma, and Louise), developed by the Artemis team of women undergraduates at Santa Clara University, were deployed from the OPAL satellite. Mass 0.5 kg; size around 0.1-0.2m. Carried a VLF wave experiment. Ejected from OPAL on February 12; unfortunately no data was received thereafter. References: 2, 552, 554. Louise Nation: USA. Mass: 68 kg (149 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: Santa Clara University. Agency: SCREEM. Perigee: 746 km (463 mi). Apogee: 800 km (490 mi). Inclination: 100.20 deg. COSPAR: 2000-004K. USAF Sat Cat: 26092. Three picosatellites (JAK, Thelma, and Louise), developed by the Artemis team of women undergraduates at Santa Clara University, were deployed from the OPAL satellite. Mass 0.5 kg; size around 0.1-0.2m. Carried a VLF wave experiment. Ejected from OPAL on February 12; unfortunately no data was received thereafter. References: 2, 552, 554. JAK Nation: USA. Mass: 1.00 kg (2.20 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: Santa Clara University. Agency: SCREEM. Perigee: 744 km (462 mi). Apogee: 797 km (495 mi). Inclination: 100.20 deg. COSPAR: 2000-004L. USAF Sat Cat: 26093. Three picosatellites (JAK, Thelma, and Louise), developed by the Artemis team of women undergraduates at Santa Clara University, were deployed from the OPAL satellite. . JAK is the initials of the infant son of the Artemis' team's advisor Mass 0.2 kg; size around 0.1 - 0.2m. Carried a VLF wave experiment. Ejected from OPAL on February 11; unfortunately no data was received thereafter. References: 2, 552, 554. STENSAT Nation: USA. Mass: 0 kg ( lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: STENSAT, Washington DC. Agency: AMSAT-NA. Perigee: 747 km (464 mi). Apogee: 801 km (497 mi). Inclination: 100.10 deg. COSPAR: 2000-004M. USAF Sat Cat: 26094. Picosat. Built by built by the AMSAT-NA (Amateur Satellite, North America) group, and carried an amateur radio transponder. Ejected from OPAL on February 11; unfortunately no data was received thereafter. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 February 1 - 06:47 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U A15000-669. Progress M1-1 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Payload: Progress M1 s/n 250. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M1. Manufacturer: RKK Energiya. Agency: RAKA. Perigee: 342 km (212 mi). Apogee: 348 km (216 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.44 min. COSPAR: 2000-005A. USAF Sat Cat: 26067. Duration: 85.53 days. Decay Date: 2000-04-27. Progress M1 was a modification of the Progress M for the International Space Station. The first such spacecraft was diverted to raise the orbit of Mir. It docked with the unoccupied Mir space station on February 3 at 0802:20 GMT. Burns of its motor to raise Mir's orbit began on February 5 and continued through February 9. Progress M1-1 undocked at 16:33 GMT on April 26 to clear the docking port for Progress M1-2. It was deorbited over the Pacific at 19:27 GMT the same day. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 February 3 - 09:26 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC45/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Model: Zenit-2. LV Configuration: Zenit-2 45025801. Cosmos 2369 Nation: Russia. Mass: 3,200 kg (7,000 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Tselina-2. Manufacturer: KB Yuzhnoe, Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 849 km (528 mi). Apogee: 860 km (534 mi). Inclination: 71.00 deg. Period: 101.95 min. COSPAR: 2000-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 26069. ELINT satellite. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 February 3 - 23:30 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36B. Launch Pad: SLC36B. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas IIAS. LV Configuration: Atlas IIAS AC-158. Hispasat 1C Nation: Spain. Program: Hispasat. Mass: 3,112 kg (6,860 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000. Manufacturer: Alcatel, Cannes. Agency: Hispasat. Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 26071. Spanish domestic geosynchronous communications satellite. Stationed at 30 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 30 deg W in 2000. As of 3 September 2001 located at 30.14 deg W drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 30.01W drifting at 0.005W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 February 6 - 16:37 GMT - Launch Site: Alcantara. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Sonda. Model: VS-30. LV Configuration: VS-30 XV-05. Lencois Maranhenses Microgravity mission Nation: Brazil. Agency: AEB. Apogee: 148 km (91 mi). References: 2. 2000 February 8 - Discovery of GRV 99027 Meteorite (Mars Meteorite) Nation: China. 2000 February 8 - 21:24 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: SLC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7420-10C. LV Configuration: Delta 7420-10C D276. Globalstar M060 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar 60. Mass: 450 kg (990 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalsat. Perigee: 1,413 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,414 km (878 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 26081. Mobile Telephony. These four Globalstar satellites completed the Globalstar initial constellation. References: 2, 552, 554. Globalstar M062 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar 62. Mass: 450 kg (990 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalsat. Perigee: 1,417 km (880 mi). Apogee: 1,418 km (881 mi). Inclination: 52.01 deg. Period: 114.09 min. COSPAR: 2000-008B. USAF Sat Cat: 26082. Mobile Telephony. References: 2, 552, 554. Globalstar M063 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar 63. Mass: 450 kg (990 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalsat. Perigee: 1,413 km (877 mi). Apogee: 1,415 km (879 mi). Inclination: 52.00 deg. Period: 114.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-008C. USAF Sat Cat: 26083. Mobile Telephony. References: 2, 552, 554. Globalstar M064 Nation: USA. Payload: Globalstar 64. Mass: 450 kg (990 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Globalstar. Manufacturer: Loral/Alenia. Agency: Globalsat. Perigee: 915 km (568 mi). Apogee: 934 km (580 mi). Inclination: 52.01 deg. Period: 103.43 min. COSPAR: 2000-008D. USAF Sat Cat: 26084. Mobile Telephony. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 February 8 - 23:20 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U/Fregat A15000-079 ST07. IRDT Nation: Russia. Mass: 110 kg (240 lb). Class: Technology. Type: Capsule. Spacecraft: IRDT. Manufacturer: Lavochkin. Agency: ESA. Perigee: 580 km (361 mi). Apogee: 613 km (381 mi). Inclination: 64.85 deg. Period: 96.53 min. COSPAR: 2000-009. USAF Sat Cat: 26086. After four orbits around the Earth the test vehicle was powered by the launcher’s upper stage to re-enter the atmosphere for a landing about 1800 km northwest of the launch site. The heat shield was inflated and the IRDT separated from the upper stage. It then passed through the upper atmospheric layers that imposed the highest dynamic pressure, heat flux and acceleration loads onto the system. The IRDT landed inside the predicted area at 54 deg E and 51 deg N near the Kazakhstan border. Unfortunately, a tear occurred in the inflatable shield during descent resulting in a higher velocity and a heavier than expected impact on landing, resulting in some damage to the lower part of the IRDT. The IRDT was collected by helicopter so that the memory unit of the sensor package, with all recorded data, could be analysed. An initial data check confirmed that all experiments in the sensor package worked perfectly. References: 2, 552, 554. Dummy satellite Nation: Russia. Class: Technology. Manufacturer: NPO Lavochkin, Moskva. Agency: Lavochkin. Perigee: 580 km (361 mi). Apogee: 613 km (381 mi). Inclination: 64.85 deg. Period: 96.53 min. COSPAR: 2000-009A. USAF Sat Cat: 26086. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 February 9 - 09:59 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Topol. Model: Topol M. LV Configuration: Topol-M 10. Test mission Nation: Russia. Agency: RVSN RF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. 2000 February 10 - 01:30 GMT - Launch Site: Kagoshima. Launch Complex: M-V. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: M-V. Model: M-V. LV Configuration: M-V M-V-4. FAILURE: First stage failure. An anomalous vibration was detected 25 seconds after launch. At 41 seconds ceramic heat shields in the first stage nozzle broke and fell off, and thrust vector control on the nozzle was lost. ASTRO E Nation: Japan. Mass: 1,680 kg (3,700 lb). Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: ASTRO E. Manufacturer: ISAS. Agency: ISAS. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). COSPAR: F000210A. Spacecraft was injected in very low perigee orbit and reentered.. X-ray astronomy satellite. Stage 1 lost control, and separated with the rocket off-course at 75 seconds in the flight. Stage 2 burned correctly and separated at 218 seconds, followed by the third stage burn at 621 seconds. Last signals were received at 20 minutes after launch. ASTRO-E was to have separated from the third stage at 23 minutes, but ended in an orbit with a perigee of only 80 km and an apogee of 410 km. It probably reentered on the first orbit at around 0230 - 0300 GMT somewhere between East Africa and western China. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 February 11 - 17:43 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-99. STS-99 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: Endeavour F14. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Endeavour. Manufacturer: Boeing. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 233 km (144 mi). Apogee: 233 km (144 mi). Inclination: 57.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-010A. USAF Sat Cat: 26088. Duration: 11.23 days. Decay Date: 2000-02-22. Crew: Kregel, Gorie, Kavandi, Voss Janice, Mohri, Thiele. Flight: STS-99. On an extremely successful mission the space shuttle Endeavour deployed the 61 metre long STRM mast. This was a side-looking radar that digitally mapped with unprecedented accuracy the entire land surface of the Earth between latitudes 60 deg N and 54 deg S. Sponsors of the flight included the US National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), NASA, and the German and Italian space agencies. Some of the NIMA data would remain classified for exclusive use by the US Department of Defense. References: 2, 7. 2000 February 12 - 03:27 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9CM1. LV Configuration: Black Brant 9CM1 NASA 36.186UG. JHU FOT 15 Ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2. 2000 February 12 - 09:10 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81/23. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2M. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2M (DM3) 399-02. Garuda 1 Nation: Indonesia. Payload: ACES. Mass: 4,500 kg (9,900 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 2100. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale. Agency: ACES. Perigee: 35,769 km (22,225 mi). Apogee: 35,807 km (22,249 mi). Inclination: 2.40 deg. COSPAR: 2000-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 26089. Geosynchronous communications satellite for the ACES consortium (PSN of Indonesia, PLDT of the Phillipines, Lockheed Martin, and Jasmine of Thailand). The satellite had two large 12-m diameter L-band antennae for cellular telephone relay. Stationed at 123 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 123 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 122.97 deg E drifting at 0.023 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 123.10E drifting at 0.005W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 February 14 - NEAR, Asteroid Eros Orbit Insertion Nation: USA. Spacecraft: NEAR. NEAR finally entered orbit around Eros on Valentine's Day, 2000. Orbit insertion was at 15:34 GMT into a 323 x 370 km initial orbit with a period of 27 days. The renamed NEAR-Shoemaker probe moved into a 100 x 200 km orbit around Eros on April 2 at 02:00 GMT. NEAR returned spectacular detailed pictures of the surface over the next several months. Studies were made of the asteroid's size, shape, mass, magnetic field, composition, and surface and internal structure. 2000 February 18 - 01:04 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 44LP. LV Configuration: Ariane 44LP-3 V127. Superbird 4 Nation: Japan. Mass: 4,057 kg (8,944 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: SCC. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-012A. USAF Sat Cat: 26095. Provided geosynchronous communications services for the Space Communications Corporation of Japan. Carried 23 Ku-band and 6 Ka-band transponders, and was equipped with a Marquardt R4D apogee engine and XIPS ion propulsion stationkeeping system. Stationed at 162 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 162 deg E in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 162.01 deg E drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 161.98E drifting at 0.004W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 February 22 - Galileo, Io 27 Flyby Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Galileo. 2000 February 22 - Landing of STS-99 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Flight: STS-99. STS-99 landed at 23:22 GMT. 2000 February 25 - 07:45 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: LC3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 12. LV Configuration: Black Brant XII NASA 40.08UE. Auroral mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Apogee: 1,170 km (720 mi). References: 2. 2000 February 26 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4. LV Configuration: Trident C-4 FCET-51. Operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. 2000 February 26 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4. LV Configuration: Trident C-4 FCET-51. Operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. 2000 February 26 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4. LV Configuration: Trident C-4 FCET-51. Operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. 2000 February 26 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident C-4. LV Configuration: Trident C-4 FCET-51. Operational test Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. 2000 February 26 - 09:19 GMT - Launch Site: Poker Flat. Launch Complex: LC4. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 12. LV Configuration: Black Brant XII NASA 40.15IE. GEODESIC Ionosphere mission Nation: Canada. Agency: CSA. Apogee: 990 km (610 mi). References: 2. 2000 March 8 - 09:40 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF05. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Peacekeeper. LV Configuration: Peacekeeper 29PA. 8 RVs operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 576FTS. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. 2000 March 12 - 04:07 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2M. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2M 399-01. Ekspress 6A Nation: Russia. Payload: Ekspress A No. 2. Mass: 2,600 kg (5,700 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Ekspress. Manufacturer: NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, Zhelenogorsk. Agency: Intersputnik. Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-013A. USAF Sat Cat: 26098. GO Kosmicheskaya Svyaz geosynchronous communications satellite, to be assigned to the Ekspress 6A slot at 80E. Replaced the first Ekspress A, lost in a launch failure in 1999. Russian satellite bus with a ommunications payload from Alcatel France. Stationed at 80 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 80 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 80.02 deg E drifting at 0.008 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 102.77E drifting at 0.018W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 March 12 - 09:29 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: 576E. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Taurus. Model: Taurus 1110. LV Configuration: Taurus 1110 T5. MTI Nation: USA. Mass: 587 kg (1,294 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: MTI. Manufacturer: Sandia/LANL. Agency: Sandia. Perigee: 574 km (357 mi). Apogee: 609 km (378 mi). Inclination: 97.40 deg. Period: 96.42 min. COSPAR: 2000-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 26102. Military Technology. Sandia Multispectral Thermal Imager (MTI), aka USAF Space Test Program mission P97-3. The satellite was equipped with a hyperspectral imager for military target recognition / treaty monitoring applications. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 March 12 - 14:49 GMT - Launch Site: Kiritimati. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 0.0 N x 154.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Model: Zenit-3SL. FAILURE: Second stage shut down prematurely due to a valve software command mistake. The satellite fell in the South Pacific, south of Pitcairn Island. ICO F-1 Nation: USA. Mass: 2,750 kg (6,060 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Manufacturer: Hughes. Agency: ICO. Apogee: 200 km (120 mi). COSPAR: F000312A. First ICO Global Communications satellite. Lost due to launch vehicle failure; was to have entered a 10,300 km x 45 deg circular orbit. ICO's satellites would carry multiple spot beams for mobile communications. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 March 20 - 18:28 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U/Fregat - ST08. Dumsat Nation: Europe. Mass: 2,382 kg (5,251 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: Matra. Agency: Starsem. Perigee: 332 km (206 mi). Apogee: 17,687 km (10,990 mi). Inclination: 64.70 deg. Period: 316.60 min. COSPAR: 2000-015A. USAF Sat Cat: 26106. Cluster 2 Composite Mock-Up validation flight. Mass model of a pair of Cluster II scientific satellites built by Aerospatiale Matra. Second test launch of the Soyuz-Fregat launch vehicle. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 March 21 - 23:28 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5. Model: Ariane 5G. LV Configuration: Ariane 5G V128 (505). Asiastar Nation: Europe. Mass: 2,778 kg (6,124 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Eurostar 2000. Manufacturer: Matra. Agency: Worldspa. Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-016A. USAF Sat Cat: 26107. Direct Radio Broadcasting satelllite. First night launch of Ariane 5. Worldspace's second digital radio satellite. Joined Afristar in orbit with a mission of providing radio broadcasting to the developing world. Stationed at 105 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 105 deg E in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 104.96 deg E drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 104.99E drifting at 0.012W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554. Insat 3B Nation: India. Program: Insat. Mass: 2,778 kg (6,124 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Insat 3. Manufacturer: ISRO. Agency: ISRO. Perigee: 35,761 km (22,220 mi). Apogee: 35,812 km (22,252 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. COSPAR: 2000-016B. USAF Sat Cat: 26108. Replaced the lost Insat 2D and carried a pure telecommunications payload of C, Ku and S band transponders. Stationed at 83 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 73 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 83.07 deg E drifting at 0.014 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 82.94E drifting at 0.012W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 March 25 - 20:34 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC2W. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7326-9.5. LV Configuration: Delta 7326-9.5 D277. IMAGE Nation: USA. Mass: 536 kg (1,181 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Ionosphere. Spacecraft: IMAGE. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 1,408 km (875 mi). Apogee: 45,461 km (28,248 mi). Inclination: 89.43 deg. Period: 854.09 min. COSPAR: 2000-017A. USAF Sat Cat: 26113. Imager for Magnetopause to Aurora Global Exploration was a MIDEX (mid-sized Explorer mission) developed by NASA-Goddard and the SWRI (Southwest Research Institute) of San Antonio, Texas. The spin-stabilised spacecraft carried a set of neutral atom and ultraviolet imagers, and antennae to study radio wavelength emissions from the magnetosphere plasma. The RPI radio plasma imager has four long wire antennae which will be deployed to a span of half a kilometre. References: 2, 552, 554. 2000 March 27 - 06:00 GMT - Launch Site: Barents Sea Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 69.5 N x 34.2 E. Launch Vehicle: R-29. Model: Shtil. Nation: Russia. Agency: VMF RF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Three launches in one day from two submarines. References: 2. 2000 March 27 - 09:00 GMT - Launch Site: Barents Sea Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 69.5 N x 34.2 E. Launch Vehicle: R-29. Model: Shtil. Operational test Nation: Russia. Agency: VMF RF. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2. 2000 March 27 - 11:17 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7. LV Configuration: Skylark 7 TEXUS 37. TEXUS 37 Microgravity mission Nation: Sweden. Agency: SSC. Apogee: 243 km (150 mi). References: 2. Previous Home Next Contact us with any corrections, additions, or comments. Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site.. To contact astronauts or cosmonauts. © Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.