Chronology - Quarter 3 2003 home
topic index
PreviousHomeNext
2003 July 1 -
  • 2060 Chiron Closest Approach To Earth (11.183 AU)
2003 July 3 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight Flight 25 Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.2 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold. Objectives: First glide flight profile rehearsal / two ship checklist flow / airspace coordination / Command and Control responsibilities and handoffs. Results: Good exercise of all involved parties and agencies including the Edwards air Force Base, Joshua Control and Scaled Composites, Utility Mobile ground station. References: 392.
2003 July 8 - 04:18 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: SLC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7925. LV Configuration: Delta 7925H D299.
  • Opportunity (Mars Exploration Rover B, MER-1) Nation: USA. Mass: 1,063 kg (2,343 lb). Class: Planetary. Type: Mars. Spacecraft: MER. Agency: JPL. COSPAR: 2003-032A. USAF Sat Cat: 27849. Decay Date: 2004-01-25. NASA's second Mars Exploration Rover, MER-B (MER-1) 'Opportunity', was launched by a Delta 7925H, which was similar to the standard 7925 model but with larger GEM-46 solid strapon motors previously used only on the Delta III 8930. MER-B separated from the Delta third stage at 0436 UTC and was then on its way to Mars. The launch had been delayed from June 26, 29 and 30, July 3, 6 and 7. Mass included cruise stage, lander and rover. Rover mass was 170 kg, lander 360 kg. References: 2.
2003 July 11 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight Flight 28 Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.5 hours Pilot: Siebold Copilot: Binnie Flight Engineer: Losey. Objectives: Pilot proficiency. First flight for SpaceShipOne crew chief. Results: Made several practice SpaceshipOne approaches using various configurations and runways. Good exposure for SS1 crewchief Steve Losey on cockpit workload / crew coordination / cabin environment and human factors for Tier-1 mission. References: 392.
2003 July 11 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight Flight 27 Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 0.7 hours Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Siebold Flight Engineer: Stinemetze. Objectives: Pilot proficiency. First flight for SpaceShipOne lead engineer. Results: Made several simulated captive carry low sink rate landings as well as practice SpaceshipOne approaches to various runways. Good exposure for Matt Stinemetze on cockpit workload / crew coordination / cabin environment and human factors for Tier-1 mission References: 392.
2003 July 11 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight Flight 26 Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.0 hours Pilot: Melvill Copilot: Binnie Flight Engineer: Rutan. Objectives: First glide flight profile rehearsal / two ship checklist flow / airspace coordination / Command and Control responsibilities and handoffs. First flight for Burt in the White Knight. Results: Exercised all current checklists and SpaceShipOne first flight test cards. Simulated emergencies handled successfully. Good exposure for Burt on cockpit workload / crew coordination / cabin environment and human factors for Tier-1 mission. Flew eleven practice SpaceShipOne approaches from above high key, three with simulated failed avionics and some with other emergencies and runway changes. All were successful. References: 392.
2003 July 15 - 07:02 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier. Model: Terrier Improved Orion. LV Configuration: Terrier Improved Orion NASA 41.025UE.
  • CWAS Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). References: 2.
2003 July 15 - 07:32 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier. Model: Terrier Improved Orion. LV Configuration: Terrier Improved Orion NASA 41.024UE.
  • CWAS Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 130 km (80 mi). References: 2.
2003 July 17 - 23:45 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC41. Launch Pad: SLC41. Launch Vehicle: Atlas V. Model: Atlas V 521. LV Configuration: Atlas V 521 AV-003.
  • Rainbow 1 (Cablevision 1) Nation: USA. Payload: A2100AX. Mass: 4,328 kg (9,541 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Direct Broadcasting. Spacecraft: AS 2100. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale. Agency: Cablevision. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2003-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 27852. Delayed from May 8 As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 61.68W drifting at 0.011W degrees per day. References: 2.
2003 July 29 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: RW12/30. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 29C / 02C Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Agency: Scaled. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi). Crew: Melvill. Objectives: First manned captive carry flight of SpaceShipOne. A man-in-loop launch rehearsal and inflight checkout of all ship systems including flight controls and propulsion sytem plumbing. Results: Complete full up rehearsal for SS1's first glide flight, including airspace, range control, Scaled mission control, data and video TM and high and low chase platforms. Additional Details: White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 29C / 02C. References: 2, 392.
2003 August 1 - 10:25 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier. Model: Terrier Mk 70 Orion. LV Configuration: Terrier Mk 70 Orion NASA 12.052GT.
  • NMACS test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 204 km (126 mi). References: 2.
2003 August 6 - 09:06 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF26. Launch Pad: LF26?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 GT183GB.
  • GT183GB Functional Dependency gate operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSPC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 2.
2003 August 7 - 14:37 GMT - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: RW12/30. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 30L / 03G Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Agency: Scaled. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi). Crew: Melvill. Objectives: First glide flight of SpaceShipOne. Results: The space ship was launched at 47,000 feet and 105 knots, 10 nm east of Mojave. Separation was clean and positive with no tendency to roll off or pitch bobble. An initial handling qualities evaluation was very positive, supported close correlation to the vehicle simulator and with that confidence, the first flight test cards were executed as planned. Additional Details: White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 30L / 03G. References: 2, 392.
2003 August 8 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC47. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Loki. Model: Super Loki.
  • Shadow Education mission Nation: USA. Agency: FLASPACE. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi). References: 2.
2003 August 8 - 03:31 GMT - Launch Site: Kiritimati. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 0.0 N x 154.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Zenit. Model: Zenit-3SL. LV Configuration: Zenit-3SL 10.
  • Echostar 9 (Telstar 13) Nation: USA. Program: Echostar. Mass: 4,737 kg (10,443 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Direct Broadcasting. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: Echostar. Perigee: 35,764 km (22,222 mi). Apogee: 35,809 km (22,250 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2003-034A. USAF Sat Cat: 27854. Originally to have launched December 2002. Echostar 9 carried a Ku and Ka band communications payload for Echostar, and a C-band payload owned by Loral Skynet but about to be sold to Intelsat. Loral called the satellite Telstar 13. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 121.04W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day. References: 2.
2003 August 11 -
  • Galileo Enters Solar Conjunction Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Galileo.
2003 August 12 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC47. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Loki. Model: Super Loki.
  • Shadow Education mission Nation: USA. Agency: FLASPACE. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi). References: 2.
2003 August 12 - 14:20 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC31. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz-U.
  • Cosmos 2399 Nation: Russia. Mass: 6,750 kg (14,880 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Orlets-1. Agency: VKS. Perigee: 180 km (110 mi). Apogee: 289 km (179 mi). Inclination: 64.90 deg. Period: 89.20 min. COSPAR: 2003-035A. USAF Sat Cat: 27856. Decay Date: 2003-12-09. Originally to have launched September 2002; June 2003. A Russian newspaper report (Kommersant, 13 August) stated that Cosmos 2399 was a Neman (Yantar-4KS1M) imaging satellite, which used data relay satellites to return CCD imagery rather than physically recovering film. However some Western observors, when Cosmos 2399 raised its perigee on August 14 to 205 km and lowered the apogee to 330 km, believed this was more like the standard operational orbit for an Orlets-1 Don 17F12 film-return capsule imaging satellite. This seemed confirmed when debris was tracked around the satellite later on, which was then said to be due to a failed film capsule recovery attempt. Destroyed in orbit on December 9 after completing its mission. References: 2.
2003 August 12 - 18:23 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.205UE.
  • LASP / CU-9 (SEE) Plasma mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 300 km (180 mi). References: 2.
2003 August 13 - 02:09 GMT - Launch Site: Point Arguello WADZ. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: 36.0 N x 123.0 W. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus. Model: Pegasus XL. LV Configuration: Pegasus XL F35.
  • Scisat 1 Nation: Canada. Mass: 260 kg (570 lb). Class: Ozone Monitoring. Spacecraft: SCISAT. Agency: Canadian Space Agency. Perigee: 642 km (398 mi). Apogee: 654 km (406 mi). Inclination: 73.90 deg. Period: 97.70 min. COSPAR: 2003-036A. USAF Sat Cat: 27858. Canadian Space Agency spacecraft which carried the ACE-FTS spectrometer to study the chemistry of the upper troposphere and stratosphere and the MAESTRO instrument to study ozone and aerosol levels in the atmosphere. Originally to have launched June 25, 2002. Delayed five more times. References: 2.
2003 August 15 - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC47. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Loki. Model: Super Loki.
  • Shadow Education mission Nation: USA. Agency: FLASPACE. Apogee: 110 km (60 mi). References: 2.
2003 August 16 - 18:00 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF23. Launch Pad: LF23?. Launch Vehicle: OBV. Model: OBV. LV Configuration: OBV 2.
  • BV-6 Missile Defense Interceptor Booster test. Nation: USA. Agency: OSC. Apogee: 1,874 km (1,164 mi). The Orbital Sciences Corperation booster was successfully tested with a mock EKV after a one-day launch delay. Shock and vibration environments were measured and compared to previous test levels. Preliminary analyses suggest that the new booster produced lower than expected vibrations at the EKV. References: 2.
2003 August 19 - 10:50 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M.
  • Cosmos 2400 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Mass: 225 kg (496 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Perigee: 1,469 km (912 mi). Apogee: 1,501 km (932 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 115.70 min. COSPAR: 2003-037A. USAF Sat Cat: 27868. References: 2.
  • Cosmos 2401 Nation: Russia. Program: Strela. Mass: 225 kg (496 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military Store-dump. Spacecraft: Strela-3. Perigee: 1,467 km (911 mi). Apogee: 1,500 km (900 mi). Inclination: 82.50 deg. Period: 115.60 min. COSPAR: 2003-037B. USAF Sat Cat: 27869. References: 2.
2003 August 20 - 11:05 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier. Model: Terrier Orion. LV Configuration: Terrier Orion NASA 41.040DP.
  • VALPE-2 test Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 135 km (83 mi). References: 2.
2003 August 22 - 16:30 GMT - Launch Site: Alcantara. Launch Complex: VLS. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: VLS. Model: VLS-1. LV Configuration: VLS-1 V03. FAILURE: Failure - Exploded on pad during final prelaunch processing. 21 people were killed, with none injured.
  • SATEC Nation: Brazil. Payload: SATEC. Mass: 57 kg (125 lb). Class: Technology. Agency: INPE. COSPAR: F20030822A. Launch was due on August 25. Was to have been on third qualification flight after two previous failures. The launch had already been delayed from October 2002, then May 7 and June 20 2003. It appeared that one of the strapon boosters ignited by accident. The two satellite payloads were also destroyed in the blast, as was the launch pad. References: 2.
  • Unosat Nation: Brazil. Payload: Unosat. Mass: 9.00 kg (19.80 lb). Class: Technology. Agency: Universidade Norte do Parana. COSPAR: F20030822B. References: 2.
2003 August 25 - 05:35 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17B. Launch Pad: SLC17B. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7920H. LV Configuration: Delta 7920H D300.
  • SIRTF Nation: USA. Mass: 923 kg (2,034 lb). Class: Astronomy. Type: Infrared. Spacecraft: SIRTF. Agency: NASA. COSPAR: 2003-038A. USAF Sat Cat: 27871. Originally to have launched January 9, 2003. Delayed six times. The Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) was the last of NASA's 'Great Observatories'. It had a 0.85-meter infrared telescope, with a liquid-helium cooled focal plane carrying the three main instruments. SIRTF was launched by the second Delta II Heavy. The second stage entered a 166 x 167 km x 31.5 deg Earth parking orbit, and after about 33 minutes of coast, passing south of Madagascar, restarted at 0613 UTC to enter a hyperbolic orbit with a perigee of 170 km, an eccentricity of 1.0061, and a velocity of 11.05 km/s. This placed it in a solar orbit of 0.996 x 1.019 AU x 1.14 deg with a year about 4 days longer than Earth's. References: 2.
2003 August 27 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: RW12/30. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 32L / 05G Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Agency: Scaled. Crew: Melvill. Objectives: Same objectives as the aborted flight 31LC/04GC earlier today. Second glide flight of SpaceShipOne. Flying qualities and performance in the space ship re-entry or "feather" mode. Pilot workload and situational awareness while transitioning and handling qualities assessment when reconfigured. As a glider, stall investigation both at high and low altitude and envelope expansion out to 200 kts and 4 G's. More aggressive, lateral directional characteristics including adverse yaw, roll rate effectiveness and control, including 360 degree aileron roll, and full rudder side slips. Additional Details: White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 32L / 05G. References: 2, 392.
2003 August 27 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: RW12/30. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 31LC /04GC Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Agency: Scaled. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi). Crew: Melvill. Objectives: Second glide flight of SpaceShipOne. Flying qualities and performance in the space ship feather mode. Pilot workload and situational awareness while transitioning and handling qualities assessment when reconfigured. As a glider, deep stall investigation both at high and low altitude and envelope expansion out to 200 kts and 4 G's. Lateral directional characteristics including adverse yaw, roll rate effectiveness and control including aileron roll and full rudder side slips. Results: The flight was aborted about 20 minutes before launch, after a GPS navigation malfunction occurred in the SpaceShip avionics system. The mated pair continued to test other systems including Spaceship fuselage heating, then returned for a mated landing.

    Flight Time: 1.1 hours White Knight Pilot: Binnie Copilot: Bird SpaceShipOne Pilot: Melvill High Chase-Starship Pilot: Siebold Low Chase-Duchess Pilot: Karkow References: 2, 392.

2003 August 29 - 01:47 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz-U. LV Configuration: Soyuz-U D15000-682.
  • Progress M-48 Nation: Russia. Program: ISS. Payload: Progress M s/n 248. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M. Agency: Rosaviakosmos. Perigee: 376 km (233 mi). Apogee: 383 km (237 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 92.10 min. COSPAR: 2003-039A. USAF Sat Cat: 27873. Duration: 152.00 days. Decay Date: 2004-01-28. Flight: ISS EO-7. Delayed from July 30, moved up from September 18 and August 30. Docked with the Zvezda module of the ISS on August 31. Undocked from the station at 08:36 GMT on 28 January 2004 after being filled with trash and unneeded equipment. Deorbited and reentered over the Pacific at 13:46 GMT. References: 2.
2003 August 29 - 23:13 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC37B. Launch Pad: SLC37B. Launch Vehicle: Delta IV. Model: Delta IV Medium. LV Configuration: Delta 4M D4-3 (301) 4040.
  • USA 170 Nation: USA. Payload: DSCS-3-B6. Mass: 1,235 kg (2,722 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: DSCS III. Agency: US Air Force. COSPAR: 2003-040A. USAF Sat Cat: 27875. Delayed from July 1, 11 and 23, then August 3 and 28. References: 2.
2003 September 1 -
  • Galileo Exits Solar Conjunction Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Galileo.
2003 September 9 - 04:29 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC40. Launch Pad: SLC40. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 401B/Centaur. LV Configuration: Titan 401B/Centaur 4B-36/TC-20.
  • USA 171 Nation: USA. Payload: NRO L-19. Mass: 5,200 kg (11,400 lb). Class: Sigint. Spacecraft: Advanced Orion. Agency: National Reconnaissance Office. COSPAR: 2003-041A. USAF Sat Cat: 27937. American signals intelligence satellite placed into geostationary orbit. It was believed the payload was a successor to the USA-110 and USA-139 satellites launched in May 1995 and May 1998, referred to as 'Advanced ORION' by those not in the know. They were thought to be successors to the RHYOLITE missions of the 1970s. The satellite was originally to have launched April 28, 2002. Launch delayed seven times. References: 2.
2003 September 10 -
  • Cassini makes course correction. Nation: Europe. Spacecraft: Cassini. The Cassini probe to Saturn made a course correction burn at 2000 UTC, changing its velocity by 0.12m/s. At the time Cassini was 1284 million km from the Sun, in an orbit of 1.4462 AU x 9.2769 AU with an inclination of 0.81 deg to the ecliptic plane and the correction altered the orbit by about ten parts per million. On September 14 Cassini was 137 million km from Saturn; Saturn's nominal gravitational sphere of influence is 55 million km in radius and Cassini was to reach that point on 2004 March 10, 2004. The probe was to make a 2000 km flyby of the Saturnian moon Phoebe on June 11, 2004.
2003 September 10 - 11:31 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF10. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 GT181GM.
  • GT181GM Functional Dependency gate operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSPC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). Delayed from May References: 2.
2003 September 11 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight Flight 33 Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.7 hours. White Knight Pilot: Melvill. White Knight Copilot: Binnie White Knight Flt Engineer: Tighe. Objectives: SpaceShipOne approach and landing profile review Results: Evaluated a variety of different profiles to assess ease of set-up, forgiveness to off normal starts and pilot SA during the approach. References: 392.
2003 September 16 - Launch Site: Taiyuan. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: KT. Model: KT-1. FAILURE: Fourth stage failed to ignite.
  • Kaituozhe 1 Nation: China. Payload: PS-2. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). COSPAR: F20030916. Second attempted launch of KT-1. The launch was intended to place a 40 kg microsatellite called PS-2 into a 300 x 300 km polar orbit. References: 2.
2003 September 18 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight Flight 34 Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.7 hours. White Knight Pilot: Binnie. White Knight Copilot: Melvill White Knight Flt Engineer: Alsbury. Objectives: SpaceShipOne approach and landing profile review Results: Evaluated a variety of different profiles to assess ease of set-up, forgiveness to off normal starts and pilot SA during the approach. References: 392.
2003 September 19 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight Flight 35 Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Flight Time: 2.1 hours. White Knight Pilot: Siebold. White Knight Copilot: Binnie White Knight Flt Engineer: Nichols. Objectives: SpaceShipOne approach and landing profile review Results: Evaluated a variety of different profiles to assess ease of set-up, forgiveness to off normal starts and pilot situation awareness during the approach. References: 392.
2003 September 21 -
  • Galileo ends mission and is commaned to burn up in Jupiter's atmosphere. Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Galileo. USAF Sat Cat: 20298. Although the antenna failed to deploy, NASA developed workarounds and the spacecraft cruised the Jovian system for eight years. Its propellant then depleted, it was maneuvered to enter the Jovian atmosphere on September 21, 2003, at 18:57 GMT. Entry was at 48.2 km/s from an orbit with a periapsis 9700 km below the 1-bar atmospheric layer. The spacecraft continued transmitting at least until it passed behind the limb of Jupiter at 1850:54 GMT, at which point it was 9283 km above the 1-bar level, surprising Galileo veterans who feared it might enter safemode due to the high radiation environment. On its farewell dive, it had crossed the orbit of Callisto at around 1100 on September 20, the orbit of Ganymede at around 0500 on September 21, Europa's orbit at about 1145, Io's orbit at about 1500, Amalthea's orbit at 1756, and the orbits of Adrastea and Metis at 1825. Galileo was destroyed to prevent the possibility that its orbit would eventually be perturbed in such a way that it would crash on and biologically contaminate Europa, which was considered a possible place to search for life. Light travel time from Jupiter to Earth was 52 min 20 sec at the time of impact, and the final signal reached Earth at 1943:14 GMT. References: 2, 6.
2003 September 21 -
  • Galileo, Jupiter Impact Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Galileo.
2003 September 23 - Launch Site: Mojave. Launch Complex: RW12/30. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Tier One.
  • White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 37L / 06G Nation: USA. Program: X-Prize. Spacecraft: SpaceShipOne. Agency: Scaled. Apogee: 14 km (8 mi). Crew: Melvill. Objectives: Third glide flight of SpaceShipOne. Aft CG flying qualities and performance evaluation of the space ship in both the glide and re-entry or "feather" mode. Glide envelope expansion to 95% airspeed, 100% alpha and beta and 70% loadfactor. More aggressive post stall maneuvering and spin control as a glider and while feathered. Nitrous temperature control during climb to altitude and performance of upgraded landing gear extension mechanism and space-worthy gear doors. Additional Details: White Knight/SpaceShipOne Flight 37L / 06G. References: 2, 392.
2003 September 27 - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5. Model: Ariane 5G. LV Configuration: Ariane 5G V162.
  • Insat 3E Nation: India. Program: Insat. Mass: 2,750 kg (6,060 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Insat 3. Manufacturer: ISRO. Agency: ISRO. Perigee: 667 km (414 mi). Apogee: 35,704 km (22,185 mi). Inclination: 7.00 deg. Period: 638.60 min. COSPAR: 2003-043E. USAF Sat Cat: 27951. The 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor (LAM) took the satellite from its Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) of 649 km perigee and 36,000 km apogee with an orbital inclination of 7 deg. The LAM was fired for a total duration of 121 minutes in three phases on September 29, September 30 and October 1. A total velocity of 1460 m/sec was added by LAM at apogee. INSAT-3E had 1592 kg propellant at the time of its injection into GTO by Ariane-5 launch vehicle on September 28. After orbit raising operations, it had 510 kg of propellant remaining that is sufficient to arrest the drift and park it at its orbital slot as well as maintain the satellite in its orbit and controlling its orientation during its design life of more than 12 years. After the completion of the third apogee motor firing, the Solar Arrays and Antennae of INSAT-3E were deployed. The Sun tracking solar array of INSAT-3E had a total area of 29.6 sq m and it is designed to generate 2.9 kW (BoL) of power in orbit. The satellite had two deployable antennas and one fixed antenna. The satellite was expected to reach its final orbital slot of 55 deg E and be put into operation by November 2003. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 54.97E drifting at 0.001W degrees per day. References: 2.
  • SMART-1 Nation: Europe. Mass: 370 kg (810 lb). Class: Space Probe Technolo. Agency: ESA. Perigee: 667 km (414 mi). Apogee: 35,704 km (22,185 mi). Inclination: 7.00 deg. Period: 638.60 min. COSPAR: 2003-043x. USAF Sat Cat: 27951. European Space Agency satellite which was to use ion drive and gravity assists to reach lunar orbit. The spacecraft made its third lunar resonance gravity assist on October 12, 2004. The continued gravitational effect of the Moon resulted in lunar capture on November 15, 2004,, when SMART-1 entered a 4962 x 51,477 km orbit around the Moon inclined at 81 degrees to the lunar equator. References: 2.
2003 September 27 - 06:12 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M. LV Configuration: Kosmos 3M.
  • Bilsat 1 (BiltenSat, Tubitak 1, DMC-Turkey) Nation: Turkey. Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Disaster Monitoring. Spacecraft: MicroSat-100. Manufacturer: Surrey. Agency: Tubitak-Bilten. Perigee: 677 km (420 mi). Apogee: 695 km (431 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.50 min. COSPAR: 2003-042B. USAF Sat Cat: 27940. Three disaster monitoring DMC satellites (BILSAT-1, NigeriaSat-1 and UK-DMC) were lofted in a single Kosmos launch. They joined the first DMC satellite, AlSAT-1, which was launched into a 686 km sun-synchronous low Earth orbit in November 2002, to provide a worldwide daily imaging capability. The spacecraft were 3-axis stabilised nadir-pointing. The imaging payload was a 32-metre resolution GSD multispectral wide-swath Earth imaging cameras and a12-metre GSD panchromatic camera. The Kosmos rocket delivered the satellites into orbit with a precision about an order of magnitude better than the maximum allowable - placing the satellites into orbit with a semi-major axis accurate to within 700 metres and just 300 metres from that of AlSAT-1. Bilsat 1 was built for TUBITAK-ODTU-BILTEN, the Information Technology and Electronics Research Institute of the Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey References: 2.
  • BNSCSat 1 (DMC-UK) Nation: UK. Mass: 80 kg (176 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Disaster Monitoring. Spacecraft: MicroSat-100. Manufacturer: Surrey. Agency: British National Space Center. Perigee: 677 km (420 mi). Apogee: 694 km (431 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.50 min. COSPAR: 2003-042C. USAF Sat Cat: 27941. References: 2.
  • NigeriaSat 1 (DMC-Nigeria) Nation: Nigeria. Mass: 80 kg (176 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Disaster Monitoring. Spacecraft: MicroSat-100. Manufacturer: Surrey. Agency: National Space R&D Agency of Nigeria. Perigee: 677 km (420 mi). Apogee: 694 km (431 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.50 min. COSPAR: 2003-042D. USAF Sat Cat: 27942. References: 2.
  • Mozhaets 4 Nation: Russia. Mass: 64 kg (141 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: Strela-1M. Agency: Mozhaiskiy Military Space Engineering Academy. Perigee: 677 km (420 mi). Apogee: 694 km (431 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.50 min. COSPAR: 2003-042E. USAF Sat Cat: 27943. A modified NPO-PM Strela-1M satellite carrying experiments built by students at the Mozhaiskiy space engineering academy. References: 2.
  • Larets Nation: Russia. Mass: 64 kg (141 lb). Class: Education, Military . Perigee: 676 km (420 mi). Apogee: 693 km (430 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.50 min. COSPAR: 2003-042F. USAF Sat Cat: 27944. No information publicly released. TASS claimed this was a radar calibration satellite. References: 2.
  • Rubin 4-DSI Nation: Germany. Mass: 45 kg (99 lb). Class: Messaging Technology. Perigee: 676 km (420 mi). Apogee: 693 km (430 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.50 min. COSPAR: 2003-042G. USAF Sat Cat: 27945. RUBIN-4-dsi remained attached to the Kosmos launch vehicle final stage. The orbital telematics experiment transmited information on the rocket’s acceleration, vibration load and position via e-mail using the Orbcomm satellite communications system. In this way, it will be possible to track the rocket in orbit reliably and without any data loss. RUBIN-4-dsi was the fourth micro-satellite from the RUBIN series developed and maintained by OHB. References: 2.
  • STSat 1 (KaistSat 4, Uribyol 4) Nation: Korea South. Mass: 100 kg (220 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: STSat. Agency: KAIST. Perigee: 676 km (420 mi). Apogee: 696 km (432 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.50 min. COSPAR: 2003-042A. USAF Sat Cat: 27939. Launch delayed from July 28, September 26. Payloads included the FUV Imaging Spectrograph (FIMS); Solid State Telescope (SST); Data Collection System (DCS); and Narrow Angle Star Sensor (NAST). References: 2.
2003 September 27 - 23:14 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA3. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5. Model: Ariane 5G. LV Configuration: Ariane 5G V162 (516).
  • E-Bird Nation: Europe. Payload: BSS-376HP. Mass: 1,525 kg (3,362 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Broadband. Spacecraft: HS 376. Agency: Eutelsat. Perigee: 664 km (412 mi). Apogee: 35,758 km (22,218 mi). Inclination: 6.90 deg. Period: 639.60 min. COSPAR: 2003-043B. USAF Sat Cat: 27948. Last flight of the Ariane 5G. Launch delayed from July 15, August 22 and 28, September 3. The e-Bird was to service high-speed access networks providing both forward and return links via satellite. The spacecraft carried 20 active Ku-band transponders, each powered by a 33-watt traveling wave tube amplifier. The Ku-band transponders were connected to four spot beams that would provide coverage over Europe and Turkey. The spacecraft was to operate at 33 degrees East longitude, and had a contract life of 10 years. References: 2.
2003 September 30 -
  • SMART-1, Ion Engine Turn On, Successful Nation: Europe. Spacecraft: SMART-1.
PreviousHomeNext
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.