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ESA

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AKA: ESRO.

• COS-B - . Payload: COS B. Mass: 280 kg (610 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: COS. Decay Date: 1986-01-18 . USAF Sat Cat: 8062 . COSPAR: 1975-072A. Apogee: 99,002 km (61,516 mi). Perigee: 442 km (274 mi). Inclination: 90.30 deg. Period: 2,203.90 min.

  Eighth CERS/ESRO satellite, first European Space Agency satellite. Launch time 0147:59 GMT. Argument of perigee 344.7 deg. Also registered by the United States in A/AC.105/INF.331 as 1975-72A, category B satellite with orbit 2203.9 min, 442 x 99002 km x 9 0.3 deg.

• ESA-Geos 1 - . Payload: ESA GEOS 1. Mass: 573 kg (1,263 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: ESA-Geos. USAF Sat Cat: 9931 . COSPAR: 1977-029A. Apogee: 38,214 km (23,745 mi). Perigee: 2,939 km (1,826 mi). Inclination: 26.60 deg. Period: 734.00 min. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B). .

• OTS 1 - . Mass: 865 kg (1,906 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. Decay Date: 1977-09-13 . Orbital Test Satellite; failed to orbit..

• ISEE 2 - . Payload: ISEE B. Mass: 166 kg (365 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: ISEE. Decay Date: 1987-09-26 . USAF Sat Cat: 10423 . COSPAR: 1977-102B. Apogee: 137,765 km (85,603 mi). Perigee: 406 km (252 mi). Inclination: 13.50 deg. Period: 3,438.50 min. International Sun-Earth Explorer. .

• Meteosat 1 - . Mass: 697 kg (1,536 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Meteosat. Completed Operations Date: 1985-06-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 10489 . COSPAR: 1977-108A. Apogee: 35,854 km (22,278 mi). Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 11.90 deg. Period: 1,437.60 min.

  European Space Agency satellite. Launch time 0135 GMT. Reached definitive position, 0 deg longitude over the Gulf of Guinea, on 7 December. Launched by United States Delta rocket. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at E-4 deg W in 1977-1981; 8E-12 deg E in 1981-1984; 2E-6 deg E in 1984-1985 As of 29 August 2001 located at 51.23 deg E drifting at 0.354 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 3 located at 11.52E drifting at 0.055W degrees per day.

• IUE 1 - . Payload: IUE. Mass: 672 kg (1,481 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: ESA, NASA. Class: Astronomy. Type: X-ray astronomy satellite. Spacecraft: IUE. Completed Operations Date: 1996-09-30 . USAF Sat Cat: 10637 . COSPAR: 1978-012A. Apogee: 41,296 km (25,660 mi). Perigee: 30,285 km (18,818 mi). Inclination: 34.30 deg. Period: 1,436.30 min.

  International Ultraviolet Explorer. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 30 deg W in-60 deg W in 1978-1996 As of 3 September 2001 located at 35.66 deg E drifting at 0.773 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 14.14W drifting at 0.700W degrees per day.

• OTS 2 - . Payload: OTS 2. Mass: 865 kg (1,906 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. Completed Operations Date: 1991-01-02 . USAF Sat Cat: 10855 . COSPAR: 1978-044A. Apogee: 36,128 km (22,448 mi). Perigee: 36,085 km (22,422 mi). Inclination: 13.10 deg. Period: 1,452.50 min.

  Orbital Test Satellite; replacement for OTS-A; communications experiments. European Space Agency satellite. Launch time 2259 GMT. Reached definitive position, 10 deg east longitude, on May 24 at 0800 GMT. Launch by US Delta rocket. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 10 deg E in 1978-1982 over the Atlantic Ocean 5 deg E in 1982-1990 As of 30 August 2001 located at 18.51 deg W drifting at 4.070 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 39.02E drifting at 4.083W degrees per day.

• ESA-Geos 2 - . Payload: ESA GEOS 2. Mass: 573 kg (1,263 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: ESA-Geos. Completed Operations Date: 1984-01-24 . USAF Sat Cat: 10981 . COSPAR: 1978-071A. Apogee: 36,049 km (22,399 mi). Perigee: 36,027 km (22,386 mi). Inclination: 14.60 deg. Period: 1,449.00 min.

  Magnetospheric research. European Space Agency satellite. Launch time 1043 GMT. Reached initial operational position of 6 deg East on 26 Jul 1978. During the two years of its mission, it will be maintained in position between longitude 0 and 35 deg east in geosynchronous orbit. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 36 deg E in 1978-1979 over the Atlantic Ocean 6-36 deg E in 1979-1981; over the Atlantic Ocean 24 deg E in 1981; over the Atlantic Ocean 33-37 deg E in 1981-1984 As of 3 September 2001 located at 177.77 deg W drifting at 3.212 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 179.12E drifting at 3.212W degrees per day.

• CAT 1 - . Payload: CAT 01. Mass: 1,602 kg (3,531 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: CAT. Decay Date: 1982-11-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 11645 . COSPAR: 1979-104A. Apogee: 14,047 km (8,728 mi). Perigee: 125 km (77 mi). Inclination: 17.80 deg. Period: 259.10 min.

  Launch vehicle test. Technological Capsule (CAT). ESA registration number: ESA/79/2. Principal mission of the technological capsule (with ballast), which was equipped with batteries having a lifetime of approximately 8 orbits, was to transmit back to earth technological data on the first developmental flight L01 of the ARIANE launch vehicle. When the batteries were exhausted, the capsule ended its radio transmissions, and it is now inoperative but still in orbit.

• Firewheel - . Payload: Feuerrad. Nation: France. Agency: ESA. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Firewheel. Decay Date: 1980-05-23 .

• Feuerrad subsatellite 1 - . Payload: Feuerrad. Nation: France. Agency: ESA. Spacecraft: Firewheel.

• CAT - . Payload: CAT. Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Spacecraft: CAT.

• Feuerrad subsatellite 4 - . Payload: Feuerrad. Nation: France. Agency: ESA. Spacecraft: Firewheel.

• Feuerrad subsatellite 2 - . Payload: Feuerrad. Nation: France. Agency: ESA. Spacecraft: Firewheel.

• Amsat Phase 3A - . Payload: Amsat Phase 3A. Nation: USA. Agency: ESA. Program: Oscar. Spacecraft: Oscar. The satellite never obtained orbit. Weight 92.2 kg. Mode B (435 MHz uplink and 145 MHz downlink) transponder and 145 MHz beacon. VHF and UHF helix wide beam antenna..

• Feuerrad subsatellite 3 - . Payload: Feuerrad. Nation: France. Agency: ESA. Spacecraft: Firewheel.

• Meteosat 2 - . Mass: 697 kg (1,536 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Meteosat. Completed Operations Date: 1991-12-04 . USAF Sat Cat: 12544 . COSPAR: 1981-057A. Apogee: 36,329 km (22,573 mi). Perigee: 36,124 km (22,446 mi). Inclination: 11.10 deg. Period: 1,458.60 min.

  Meteosat 2 is a geostationary meteorological satellite, operating within the world wide network of the World Weather Watch of WMO. Its main missions are: Imaging in the visible, IR and water vapour region of the spectrum; data reception from so-called dat a collection platforms (DCPs); data distribution to meteorological services and other interested parties (research institutes etc). Launch time 1233:03 UT. Geostationary position 0 deg E. Designator ESA/81/03. As of 3 September 2001 located at 58.52 deg W drifting at 5.577 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 125.67W drifting at 5.583W degrees per day.

• CAT 3 - . Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: CAT. USAF Sat Cat: 12546 . COSPAR: 1981-057C. Apogee: 26,528 km (16,483 mi). Perigee: 261 km (162 mi). Inclination: 10.70 deg. Period: 461.20 min.

  Launch vehicle test payload. Technological capsule. ESA registration ESA/81/02. Launch time 1233:03 UT. The technological capsule, equipped with batteries for a lifetime of about six orbital revolutions, transmits to earth technological data about test flight L-03 of ARIANE. After di scharge of the battery the capsule will stop its transmissions and remain in orbit on inactive status. Frequency 136-138 MHz (transmission until 65h after launch only). Projected time of reentry 1986.

• Tech. capsule - . Payload: CAT/Thesee. Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: CAT. Decay Date: 1988-11-21 . USAF Sat Cat: 13025 . COSPAR: 1981-122C. Apogee: 36,051 km (22,401 mi). Perigee: 199 km (123 mi). Inclination: 10.60 deg. Period: 636.00 min.

  Ariane L-04 technological capsule, ESA designator ESA/81/04. The technological capsule, equipped with batteries for a lifetime of about 6 orbital revolutions (65h), transmits to earth technological data about test flight L-04 of Ariane. After discharge of the battery the capsule will stop its transmissions and remain in orbit in an inactive status. Frequency 136-138 MHz, projected time of reentry before 1990.

• MARECS 1 - . Payload: MARECS A. Mass: 582 kg (1,283 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Program: MARECS. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. Completed Operations Date: 1996-08-20 . USAF Sat Cat: 13010 . COSPAR: 1981-122A. Apogee: 37,858 km (23,523 mi). Perigee: 36,782 km (22,855 mi). Inclination: 10.80 deg. Period: 1,515.20 min.

  MARECS-A was a geostationary maritime communications satellite, which formed part of INMARSAT's world-wide maritime communications satellite network. MARECS-A moved to a new position on the geostationary orbit. Old position: 334E. New position: 22.5 E. The Marecs satellites were members of Inmarsat's first generation global maritime communications network. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 26 deg W in 1982-1986; 178 deg E in 1986-1991; 20 deg E in 1991-1992; 22 deg E in 1992-1996 As of 1 September 2001 located at 11.08 deg W drifting at 18.839 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 168.28W drifting at 18.837W degrees per day. Additional Details: here....

• CAT 4 - . Payload: MARECS 1 / CAT 4. Mass: 217 kg (478 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: CAT. USAF Sat Cat: 13011 . COSPAR: 1981-122B. Apogee: 30,744 km (19,103 mi). Perigee: 259 km (160 mi). Inclination: 10.40 deg. Period: 536.80 min. Launch vehicle test payload. .

• MARECS B - . Payload: MARECS B. Mass: 1,490 kg (3,280 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Program: MARECS. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. Decay Date: 1982-09-10 . Marecs B intended for maritime communications, planned for lease to Inmarsat; launched with Sirio 2. Geosynch orbit..

• Sirio 2 - . Payload: Sirio 2. Mass: 220 kg (480 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Program: MARECS. Spacecraft: SIRIO.

• Exosat - . Mass: 510 kg (1,120 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Astronomy. Type: X-ray astronomy satellite. Spacecraft: Exosat. Decay Date: 1986-05-06 . USAF Sat Cat: 14095 . COSPAR: 1983-051A. Apogee: 191,878 km (119,227 mi). Perigee: 340 km (210 mi). Inclination: 72.50 deg. Period: 5,442.10 min.

  X-ray experiments. Launch time 1518 UT. Launching agency ESA. EXOSAT is a space research satellite of the European Space Agency. The scientific objectives of the EXOSAT mission are to measure the position, structural features, spectral and temporal characteristics of cosmic X-ray sources in the energy range from less than 0.1 keV to greater than 50 keV.

• MARECS 2 - . Payload: MARECS B2. Mass: 563 kg (1,241 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Program: MARECS. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: ECS/OTS. USAF Sat Cat: 15386 . COSPAR: 1984-114B. Apogee: 37,544 km (23,328 mi). Perigee: 36,556 km (22,714 mi). Inclination: 9.90 deg. Period: 1,501.10 min.

  Stationed at 177.5 deg E; maritime communications; leased by Inmarsat. Geostationary position 177.5 deg E. MARECS PAC 1 is a geostationary maritime mobile communication satellite which will form part of the INMARSAT world-wide maritime communication satellite network. 1985 Jul 1. Move to a new position. Old position: 177.5E. New position: 345 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 177 deg E in 1984-1986; 26 deg W in 1986-1990; 55 deg W in 1990-1992; 15 deg W in 1992-1997; 26 deg W in 1997-on. As of 4 September 2001 located at 25.98 deg W drifting at 0.006 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 105.63W drifting at 15.647W degrees per day.

• Giotto - . Mass: 583 kg (1,285 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Comet. Type: Comet probe. Spacecraft: Giotto. USAF Sat Cat: 15875 . COSPAR: 1985-056A. Apogee: 35,807 km (22,249 mi). Perigee: 201 km (124 mi). Inclination: 6.90 deg. Period: 631.51 min.

  Encountered comet Halley March 13, 1986. The Giotto mission was designed to study Comet P/Halley, and also studied Comet P/Grigg-Skjellerup during its extended mission. The spacecraft encountered Halley on March 13, 1986, at a distance of 0.89 AU from the sun and 0.98 AU from the Earth and an angle of 107 degrees from the comet-sun line. The actual closest approach was measured at 596 km. All experiments performed well and returned a wealth of new scientific results, of which perhaps the most important was the clear identification of the cometary nucleus. Fourteen seconds before closest approach, Giotto was hit by a `large' dust particle. The impact caused the spacecraft angular momentum vector to shift 0.9 degrees. Scientific data were received intermittently for the next 32 minutes. Some experiment sensors suffered damage during this 32-minute interval. Other experiments (the camera baffle and deflecting mirror, the dust detector sensors on the front sheet of the bumper shield, and most experiment apertures) were exposed to dust particles regardless of the accident and also suffered damage. Many of the sensors survived the encounter with little or no damage. Questionable or partially damaged sensors included the camera (later proved to not be functional) and one of the plasma analyzers (RPA). Inoperable experiments included the neutral and ion mass spectrometers and one sensor each on the dust detector and the other plasma analyzer (JPA). During the Giotto extended mission, the spacecraft successfully encountered Comet P/Grigg-Skjellerup on July 10, 1992. The closest approach was approximately 200 km. The heliocentric distance of the spacecraft was 1.01 AU, and the geocentric distance, 1.43 AU at the time of the encounter. The payload was switched-on in the evening of July 9. Eight experiments were operated and provided a surprising wealth of data. The Johnstone Plasma Analyser detected the first presence of cometary ions 600,000 km from the nucleus at 12 hours before the closest approach. The Dust Impact Detectors reported the first impact of a fairly large particle at 15:30:56. Bow shocks/waves and acceleration regions were also detected. After the P/Grigg-Skjellerup encounter operation were terminated on 23 July 1992. The spacecraft will fly by the Earth on 1 July 1999.

• Olympus-1 - . Payload: Olympus F1. Mass: 2,595 kg (5,720 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Technology. Type: Communications technology satellite. Spacecraft: Olympus. Completed Operations Date: 1993-08-23 . USAF Sat Cat: 20122 . COSPAR: 1989-053A. Apogee: 35,817 km (22,255 mi). Perigee: 35,758 km (22,218 mi). Inclination: 1.20 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min.

  Commsat technology demonstration;19 deg W. Olympus-1 is a multi-payload communications satellite for direct TV broadcast in the bands of the 1977 Geneva Plan of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) (including a national beam to Italy) plus communication transponde rs in the 14/12 GHz, 2nd 30/20 GHz bands. The latter are also used for a data relay experiment with ESA's EURECA satellite. Position on geostationary orbit 341 deg E. Launch time 0014:00 UT. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 19 deg W in 1989-1991; 19 deg W in 1991-1993 As of 4 September 2001 located at 82.22 deg E drifting at 3.961 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 118.63E drifting at 3.947E degrees per day.

• Hipparcos - . Mass: 1,130 kg (2,490 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Astronomy. Type: X-ray astronomy satellite. Spacecraft: Hipparcos. USAF Sat Cat: 20169 . COSPAR: 1989-062B. Apogee: 35,836 km (22,267 mi). Perigee: 542 km (336 mi). Inclination: 6.70 deg. Period: 638.70 min. Didn't reach GEO due to AKM failure; measured star positions. Scientific satellite for astrometry. Frequency plan 2054.25 /2241 MHz. Launch time 2325:53 UT. Designator ESA/89/03. .

• Microgravity mission - . Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Apogee: 317 km (196 mi).

• Meteosat 5 - . Payload: MOP 2. Mass: 681 kg (1,501 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Meteosat. USAF Sat Cat: 21140 . COSPAR: 1991-015B. Apogee: 35,765 km (22,223 mi). Perigee: 35,758 km (22,218 mi). Inclination: 0.30 deg. Period: 1,434.90 min.

  Earth imaging for weather, climatology, atmospheric physics; 4 deg E. Geostationary meteorological satellite, operating within the world-wide network of the World Weather Watch of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Its main missions are: imaging in the visible, infrared and water vapour region of the spectrum. Dat a reception from so called Data Collection Platforms (DCPs); data distribution to meteorological services and other interested parties (research institutes, etc). Launch time 2336:00 UT. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 4 deg W in 1991; 1 deg W in 1991; 4 deg W in 1991-1992; 1 deg W in 1992; 8 deg W in 1993-1997; 9 deg W in 1997-1998; 63 deg E in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 62.77 deg E drifting at 0.000 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 1 located at 63.15E drifting at 0.006E degrees per day.

• ERS 1 - . Mass: 2,384 kg (5,255 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Civilian Radarsat. Spacecraft: ERS 1-2. USAF Sat Cat: 21574 . COSPAR: 1991-050A. Apogee: 775 km (481 mi). Perigee: 774 km (480 mi). Inclination: 98.50 deg. Period: 100.30 min.

  Microwave, IR imaging of oceans, ice and land; SAR. ERS-1 was an Earth exploration satellite, using active and passive sensors for oceanography etc. Frequency plan: 2048.85/2225 MHz (TTC), 7225.2960/8489 MHz (PRARE), 8040, 8140 MHz (data transmission). Launch time 0146:31 UT. Designator ESA/91/02.

• Eureca-1 - . Payload: Atlantis F12 / Eureca 1 / TSS 1. Mass: 4,491 kg (9,900 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Materials. Type: Materials science satellite. Spacecraft: Eureca. Decay Date: 1993-07-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 22065 . COSPAR: 1992-049B. Apogee: 509 km (316 mi). Perigee: 484 km (300 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 94.60 min.

  Microgravity experiments; deployed from STS-46 8/2/92; retrieved by STS-57; European Retrievable Carrier. EURECA is a European scientific and technology mission, launched by the US Space Transportation System. The spacecraft is scheduled to be retrieved likewise by the US/STS in late spring/early summer 1993. Designator ESA/92/01. Frequency plan: 2053.4583/22 30 MHz, 28 GHz/ 18 GHz (data-relay via Olympus).

• Meteosat 6 - . Payload: MOP 3. Mass: 704 kg (1,552 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Weather satellite. Spacecraft: Meteosat. USAF Sat Cat: 22912 . COSPAR: 1993-073B. Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 2.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Stationed at 0 deg. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 10 deg W in 1994-1997; deg W in 1997-1998; 9 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 4 September 2001 located at 9.14 deg W drifting at 0.012 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 36.89E drifting at 0.610E degrees per day.

• ERS 2 - . Mass: 2,516 kg (5,546 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Civilian Radarsat. Spacecraft: ERS 1-2. USAF Sat Cat: 23560 . COSPAR: 1995-021A. Apogee: 785 km (487 mi). Perigee: 784 km (487 mi). Inclination: 98.60 deg. Period: 100.50 min. European Remote Sensing; carried SAR; ocean, land, ice, and atmospheric observations..

• ISO - . Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Astronomy. Type: X-ray astronomy satellite. Spacecraft: ISO. Completed Operations Date: 1998-05-16 . USAF Sat Cat: 23715 . COSPAR: 1995-062A. Apogee: 70,504 km (43,809 mi). Perigee: 1,110 km (680 mi). Inclination: 5.10 deg. Period: 1,417.80 min. Infrared Space Observatory; IR astrophysics. As of 6 September 2001 located at 168.62 deg E drifting at 5.004 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 6 located at 167.18W drifting at 5.668E degrees per day..

• SOHO - . Mass: 1,850 kg (4,070 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Astronomy. Type: X-ray astronomy satellite. Spacecraft: SOHO. USAF Sat Cat: 23726 . COSPAR: 1995-065A. Apogee: 671,400 km (417,100 mi). Perigee: 8,973 km (5,575 mi). Inclination: 29.60 deg. Period: 29,196.30 min. Solar and Heliospheric Observatory; orbiting at L1 Lagrange point; solar physics. En route Earth-Sun L1 point Earth-Sun L1 libration point transfer trajectory. Inertial trajectory option..

• Cluster F1 - . Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Cluster.

  The Cluster satellites were a series of sophisticated earth-observation platforms that were to be launched aboard the first Ariane 5. The explosion of the booster led to a costly setback for European space science. There were no back-up spacecraft. Some instruments may fly on other future satellites.

• Cluster F4 - . Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Cluster.

• Cluster F3 - . Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Cluster.

• Cluster F2 - . Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Cluster.

• MAQSAT-H/TEAMSAT - . Payload: MAQSAT-H. Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Kayser-Threde. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: MAQSAT. USAF Sat Cat: 25023 . COSPAR: 1997-066A. Apogee: 26,504 km (16,468 mi). Perigee: 545 km (338 mi). Inclination: 7.60 deg. Period: 465.70 min. Dummy communications satellite instrumented to report the actual payload bay environment during launch. It included the TEAMSAT technology experiment payload, developed by ESTEC.

• MAQSAT-B/EPS - . Payload: MAQSAT-B. Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Kayser-Threde. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: MAQSAT. USAF Sat Cat: 25024 . COSPAR: 1997-066B. Apogee: 26,549 km (16,496 mi). Perigee: 541 km (336 mi). Inclination: 7.60 deg. Period: 466.40 min. Dummy satellite in the lower bay of the SPELTRA dual launch adapter..

• YES - . Payload: Young Engineers Satellite. Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: ESTEC. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: YES. USAF Sat Cat: 25025 . COSPAR: 1997-066C. Apogee: 26,604 km (16,530 mi). Perigee: 558 km (346 mi). Inclination: 7.60 deg. Period: 467.70 min. Young Engineers Satellite with several technology experiments. Ejected from MAQSAT-H/TEAMSAT..

• Maqsat 3 - . Nation: France. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Kayser-Threde. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: MAQSAT. USAF Sat Cat: 25503 . COSPAR: 1998-059A. Apogee: 35,491 km (22,053 mi). Perigee: 1,017 km (631 mi). Inclination: 7.50 deg. Period: 641.20 min.

  Maqsat 3 was an instrumentation package used to monitor performance of the Ariane 5 booster. At T+12:43 the Speltra adapter cover separated revealing Maqsat-3. At T+15:14 the EPS stage Aestus engine ignited and burned until T+31:00. At this point on a normal mission the satellite would separate from the EPS, but to avoid creating space debris Maqsat remained attached to the EPS. The EPS/Maqsat-3 was placed in a 1027 km x 35863 km x 7.0 degree geostationary transfer orbit.

• Biological/Physics mission - . Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA, SSC. Apogee: 713 km (443 mi).

• XMM - . Mass: 3,764 kg (8,298 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Friedrichshafen. Class: Astronomy. Type: X-ray astronomy satellite. Spacecraft: XMM. USAF Sat Cat: 25989 . COSPAR: 1999-066A. Apogee: 104,406 km (64,874 mi). Perigee: 16,709 km (10,382 mi). Inclination: 62.50 deg. Period: 2,872.40 min. ESA's X-ray Multi-Mirror space observatory was the biggest science satellite ever built in Europe. Complementary in characteristics to NASA's Chandra satellite, the spacecraft were expected to make major new astronomical discoveries..

• IRDT - . Mass: 110 kg (240 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Lavochkin bureau. Class: Technology. Type: Re-entry test vehicle. Spacecraft Bus: Rescue. Spacecraft: IRDT. COSPAR: 2000-009x. Apogee: 613 km (381 mi). Perigee: 580 km (361 mi). Inclination: 64.85 deg. Period: 96.53 min.

  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.

• Samba - . Payload: Cluster 2-FM6. Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Friedrichshafen. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Cluster 2. USAF Sat Cat: 26410 . COSPAR: 2000-041A. Apogee: 116,279 km (72,252 mi). Perigee: 21,449 km (13,327 mi). Inclination: 88.50 deg. Period: 3,423.40 min.

  The first two European Space Agency Cluster II satellites, Samba (FM7) and Salsa (FM6) were launched into an initial 200 km / 64.8 deg circular orbit. The Fregat upper stage then burned once before ejecting the satellites into a 250 x 18072 km x 64.7 deg transfer orbit. Both satellites then used their Astrium (former MBB) S400 liquid engines in a series of four additional burns before reaching their final 16869 x 121098 km x 90.6 deg orbits. Each magnetosphere research satellite deployed four 50-meter wire antennas.

• Salsa - . Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Friedrichshafen. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Cluster 2. USAF Sat Cat: 26411 . COSPAR: 2000-041B. Apogee: 116,294 km (72,261 mi). Perigee: 21,430 km (13,310 mi). Inclination: 88.60 deg. Period: 3,423.20 min.

• Rumba - . Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Friedrichshafen. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Cluster 2. USAF Sat Cat: 26463 . COSPAR: 2000-045A. Apogee: 116,297 km (72,263 mi). Perigee: 21,430 km (13,310 mi). Inclination: 88.50 deg. Period: 3,423.30 min.

• Tango - . Mass: 1,200 kg (2,600 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Friedrichshafen. Class: Earth. Type: Magnetosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Cluster 2. USAF Sat Cat: 26464 . COSPAR: 2000-045B. Apogee: 116,300 km (72,200 mi). Perigee: 21,430 km (13,310 mi). Inclination: 88.50 deg. Period: 3,423.40 min.

  Rumba and Tango were the second pair of Cluster II magnetospheric research satellites of the European Space Agency. A series of five burns of the Fregat stage took them from an initial 190 km / 64.8 degree parking orbit to their final 17,200 x 120,600 km orbits inclined 90 degrees to the equator. They then separated from the Fregat and took up operations.

• Microgravity mission - . Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA, SSC. Apogee: 705 km (438 mi).

• Artemis - . Mass: 3,105 kg (6,845 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Alenia. Class: Technology. Type: Communications technology satellite. Spacecraft: Italsat. USAF Sat Cat: 26863 . COSPAR: 2001-029A. Apogee: 32,586 km (20,247 mi). Perigee: 32,451 km (20,164 mi). Inclination: 1.10 deg. Period: 1,272.40 min.

  Artemis was a European Space Agency satellite designed to test new communications technologies. The Ariane 510 vehicle failed to reach its correct orbit. The solid boosters and main stage worked as planned and put the EPS upper stage in the planned near-suborbital trajectory. The EPS stage then fired but the Aestus engine failed to reach full thrust and cut off 1 minute early. Instead of the planned 858 x 35853 km orbit, only a 592 x 17528 km orbit was reached. The 3.1 tonne (with fuel), 2.5 kW spacecraft carried two pairs of ion engines and had adequate xenon propellant for those engines to reach geosynchronous altitude. This was the first ever rescue of a satellite mission using electric propulsion. The satellite reached its operational orbit in 31 January 2003.using the four German RITA electric xenon thrusters. Artemis could then function as originally planned, as there remained sufficient chemical propellant for 10 years' operation. Artemis was to provide voice and data communications between mobile phones in Europe and North America, and act as a relay satellite between low-Earth orbiters and ground stations. Eventually, as part of the planned EGNOS system (to be operational by about 2010) it was to provide navigation/location determination as an independent European counterpart to the GPS and GLONASS fleets. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 21.40E drifting at 0.001W degrees per day.

• Foton-M - . Payload: Foton M-1 / Foton 13. Mass: 6,425 kg (14,164 lb). Nation: Russia. Agency: ESA, RAKA. Manufacturer: Kozlov bureau. Class: Materials. Type: Materials science satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Vostok. Spacecraft: Foton.

  Launch delayed from October 9. Foton-M No. 1 (Foton-13) was an improved version of the Foton materials processing satellite. The 6425 kg satellite carried a variety of microgravity experiments including those of the European Space Agency. The satellite was destroyed in the accident.

• Maxus 5 Microgravity mission - . Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA, SSC. Apogee: 701 km (435 mi). Suborbital microgravity payload. Launch delayed from 31 March..

• Mars Express (F-1) / Mars Orbiter / Beagle 2 - . Mass: 1,120 kg (2,460 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Friedrichshafen. Class: Mars. Type: Mars probe. Spacecraft: Mars Express. USAF Sat Cat: 27816 . COSPAR: 2003-022A. Apogee: 177 km (109 mi). Perigee: 177 km (109 mi). Inclination: 51.80 deg. Period: 88.00 min.

  Europe's first probe to Mars. Mars Express had a mass of 637 kg dry, including science payload and Beagle separation device, together with 480 kg of propellant and the 69 kg Beagle 2 lander, for a total of 1186 kg. In addition to this a 37 kg adapter remained attached to the Fregat upper stage. Mars Express was placed into a 1.014 x 1.531 AU x 0.2 deg orbit around the Sun, following a course correction on June 5. The launch was first moved forward from June 1 and May 31 to May 23. Then delayed to June 6, then moved forward to June 2.

• SMART-1 - . Mass: 370 kg (810 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Technology. Type: Space probe technology. Spacecraft: SMART-1. COSPAR: 2003-043x. Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Perigee: 35,769 km (22,225 mi). Inclination: 0.0900 deg. Period: 1,436.06 min.

  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.

• Rosetta - . Mass: 3,065 kg (6,757 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Friedrichshafen. Class: Comet. Type: Comet probe. Spacecraft: Rosetta. USAF Sat Cat: 28169 . COSPAR: 2004-006A. Launch delayed from January 13, 2003, February 26 and 27, 2004..

• Microgravity mission - . Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA, SSC. Apogee: 706 km (438 mi).

• XTAR-EUR - . Mass: 3,631 kg (8,004 lb). Nation: Spain. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Palo Alto. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: FS-1300. USAF Sat Cat: 28542 . COSPAR: 2005-005A. Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Return to flight of Ariane 5 EC-A after booster failure on first launch. Delayed from April, June, September 28, October 28, November 3 and 8, 2004; and February 11, 2005. XTAR-EUR was a Spanish X-band military communications satellite operated by Hisdesat/XTAR of Spain. It had a dry mass of 1412 kg and 2219 kg of propellant. As of 2007 Mar 8 located at 28.95E drifting at 0.006W degrees per day.

• Maqsat-B2 - . Mass: 3,622 kg (7,985 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Kayser-Threde. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: Maqsat. Decay Date: 2012-12-03 . USAF Sat Cat: 28543 . COSPAR: 2005-005B. Apogee: 35,409 km (22,002 mi). Perigee: 258 km (160 mi). Inclination: 6.70 deg. Period: 624.90 min. Maqsat was a test payload built by Kayser-Threde to study the Ariane 5ECA launch environment. Remained attached to the upper stage..

• SLOSHSAT - . Payload: SLOSHSAT-FLEVO. Mass: 127 kg (279 lb). Nation: Netherlands. Agency: ESA. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: SLOSHSAT. USAF Sat Cat: 28544 . COSPAR: 2005-005C. Apogee: 35,723 km (22,197 mi). Perigee: 268 km (166 mi). Inclination: 6.80 deg. Period: 631.20 min. Test satellite to study the sloshing of fluids in zero gravity, developed by the Netherlands Aerospace Laboratory. Equipped with a tank with 33.5 liters of water and an attitude control system..

• CryoSat - . Mass: 717 kg (1,580 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: EADS Astrium. Class: Earth. Type: Sea satellite. Spacecraft: CryoSat. ESA Earth Explorer 1 mission failed to orbit. The satellite was to have used radar altimetry for environmental survey of polar ice with great accuracy. Delayed from November 2004, March 25, June 24, July 11, September 15 and 27, 2005..

• Venus Express - . Mass: 1,270 kg (2,790 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Class: Venus. Type: Venus probe. Spacecraft: Venus Express. USAF Sat Cat: 28901 . COSPAR: 2005-045A.

  Launch delayed from October 26. The Soyuz placed the probe and Fregat upper stage into a 30 km x 190 km x 51.6 deg orbit around the earth. At apogee the Fregat stage made a 50 m/s maneuver to circularize the orbit. At the appropriate moment in this parking orbit, the Fregat fired again, then separated from the now Venus-bound probe at 05:11 GMT. Venus Express passed lunar orbit on November 10 at 10:10 GMT and went into a 0.702 AU x 0.993 AU x 0.26 deg inclination solar orbit. It was to brake itself into a 250 km x 326,550 km x 89.7 deg orbit around Venus on 11 April 2006 at 08:40 GMT. Two maneuvers would put in its final 24-hour Venus orbit of 282 x 66,911 km x 90.0 deg on 30 April. This was selected to synchronise the satellite with tracking stations on earth, while the planet slowly revolves below its perigee point over the following several months.

• Giove-A - . Payload: GSTB-V2/A / Heavily modified Surrey MiniSat-400. Mass: 600 kg (1,320 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: Surrey. Class: Navigation. Type: Navigation satellite. Spacecraft: SSTL-900. USAF Sat Cat: 28922 . COSPAR: 2005-051A. Apogee: 23,360 km (14,510 mi). Perigee: 23,314 km (14,486 mi). Inclination: 56.20 deg. Period: 849.60 min.

  Delayed from September, October, December 26. Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element, a prototype for the Galileo European navigation satellite network. Giove carried carried two rubidium atomic clocks and a large L-band phased array antenna. Retired in 2012 as the production models went on-line.

• Maxus 7 - . Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA, SSC. Apogee: 702 km (436 mi).

  Suborbital microgravity mission. Kaiser-Threde developed a new payload service system for MAXUS 7, providing 2 independent TV-links with 2 high power HF transmitters and GPS. The recovery system was a BAL ORSA system, modified by Kaiser-Threde, including parachute from DLR.

• YES-2 - . Payload: Young Engineers Satellite. Mass: 5.00 kg (11.00 lb). Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA. Manufacturer: ESTEC. Class: Technology. Type: Navigation technology satellite. Spacecraft: YES. COSPAR: 2007-040x.

  YES-2/Fotino space tether for re-entry experiment. The YES-2 tether was deployed from the Nauka module at the front end of Foton at 04:47 on 25 September, and releaed at 07:20 after reaching only 8.5 km of the planned 30 km tether length. The 5 kg Fotino reentry capsule separated from the MASS data support system at the end of the tether at around 07:30. The idea was to toss the Fotino against the direction of orbital motion to push it into a lower orbit and re-entry without the need for a retrorocket. Unfortunately the final outcome of the experiment remained unknown.