Chronology - Quarter 2 2000 home
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2000 April 2 - 07:34 GMT - Launch Site: Kiruna. Launch Complex: S. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Skylark. Model: Skylark 7. LV Configuration: Skylark 7 TEXUS 38.
  • TEXUS 38 Microgravity mission Nation: Sweden. Agency: SSC. Apogee: 250 km (150 mi). References: 2.
2000 April 4 - 05:01 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Soyuz TM-30 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Payload: Soyuz TM 11F732 s/n 204. Mass: 7,250 kg (15,980 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Spacecraft. Spacecraft: Soyuz TM. Manufacturer: RKK Energiya im. S.P. Korolyov, Kaliningrad-Korolev. Agency: RAKA. Perigee: 358 km (222 mi). Apogee: 384 km (238 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.97 min. COSPAR: 2000-018A. USAF Sat Cat: 26116. Duration: 72.82 days. Decay Date: 2000-06-16. Crew: Kaleri, Zalyotin. Flight: Mir EO-28. Soyuz TM-30 docked with Mir's forward (-X) port on April 6 at 0631 GMT. Zalyotin and Kaleri reactivated the uninhabited station. Unloading Progress M1-1 and M1-2, they resupplied the station. The Progress spacecraft were also used to raise the station's orbit to 360 x 378 km x 51.6 deg. The orbital plane of Mir was then around 120 degrees away from that of ISS (making transport between the stations impossible, as desired by NASA). References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 April 6 -
  • Lockheed charged on rocket technology transfer to China Nation: China. Lockheed Martin was charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act by assisting China in redesigning their apogee kick motor (EPKM) for the Asiasat-2 communications satellite. This was denied by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, which said that the EPKM was of totally indigenous design. References: 424.
2000 April 6 - 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 April 6 - Launch Site: Negev. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Jericho. Model: Jericho 1.
  • Operational test Nation: Israel. Agency: IDF. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2.
2000 April 17 - 21:06 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2M. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2M 397-01.
  • Sesat Nation: Europe. Mass: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Ekspress. Manufacturer: NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, Zhelenogorsk. Agency: Eutelsat. Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-019A. USAF Sat Cat: 26243. Sesat (Siberia-Europe Satellite) used an MSS-2500-GSO (Gals/Ekspress) satellite bus built by NPO PM of Krasnoyarsk, with an Alcatel Espace France payload of 18 Ku-band transponders. The satellite had 8 Fakel SPD-100 plasma thrusters for stationkeeping. Eutelsat operated their Hot Bird fleet of European television broadcast satellites since the 1980's, but the venture into broadcasting to Siberia represented a new step for them. Stationed at 36 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 39 deg E in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 35.97 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 35.92E drifting at 0.004E degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 April 19 - 00:29 GMT - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Model: Ariane 42L. LV Configuration: Ariane 42L-3 V129.
  • Galaxy 4R Nation: USA. Program: Galaxy. Payload: Galaxy IVR. Mass: 3,668 kg (8,086 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: Panamsat. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-020A. USAF Sat Cat: 26298. Galaxy 4R carried 28 Ku-band and 28 C-band transponders. After insertion in a standard 219 x 32007 km x 7.0 deg geostationary transfer orbit, Galaxy 4R's R-4D apogee engine raised orbit to 35765 x 35792 km x 0.1 deg by April 27 and was over 67 deg W by late April. Final destination was 99 deg W. The Galaxy satellites provide US domestic telecommunications services. 4R replaces the original Galaxy 4H which failed in May 1998, putting pagers out of action across the USA. Stationed at 99 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 73 deg W in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 98.99 deg W drifting at 0.016 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 76.88W drifting at 0.001E degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 April 25 - 20:08 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U.
  • Progress M1-2 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Payload: Progress M1 s/n 252. Mass: 7,280 kg (16,040 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Progress M1. Manufacturer: RKK Energiya. Agency: RAKA. Perigee: 363 km (225 mi). Apogee: 380 km (230 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.98 min. COSPAR: 2000-021A. USAF Sat Cat: 26301. Duration: 173.00 days. Decay Date: 2000-10-15. Flight: Mir EO-28. Progress M1-2 docked with the rear Kvant port of Mir at 2128 GMT on April 27. Mir's orbit was raised on April 29 in the first of a series of three burns by Progress M1-2. It later undocked and was deorbited over the Pacific on 15 October. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 April 30 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident D-5. LV Configuration: Trident D-5 FCET-23.
  • 88ss Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2.
2000 April 30 - Launch Site: ETR Launch Area. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Trident. Model: Trident D-5. LV Configuration: Trident D-5 FCET-23.
  • Trident D-5 (88ss) operational test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). References: 2.
2000 May 3 - 07:07 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36A. Launch Pad: SLC36A. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas IIA. LV Configuration: Atlas IIA AC-137.
  • GOES 11 Nation: USA. Payload: GOES L. Mass: 2,217 kg (4,887 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto. Agency: NOAA. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Inclination: 0.40 deg. Period: 1,436.30 min. COSPAR: 2000-022A. USAF Sat Cat: 26352. US civilian geostationary weather satellite in the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite series. It was the first GOES launch on the Atlas II launch vehicle (the Atlas I having been phased out). Built by SS/Loral, based on the FS-1300 bus. It was equipped with one solar panel array and a counter-boom with a solar sail. The satellite carried well as an imaging radiometer and an X-ray detector to monitor solar activity. Stationed at 106 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 104 deg W in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 108.58 deg W drifting at 0.018 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 135.52W drifting at 0.001E degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 May 3 - 13:25 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Soyuz. Model: Soyuz 11A511U. LV Configuration: Soyuz 11A511U A15000-649.
  • Cosmos 2370 Nation: Russia. Payload: Neman. Mass: 6,700 kg (14,700 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: Yantar-4KS1. Manufacturer: TsSKB-Progress, Samara. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 244 km (152 mi). Apogee: 312 km (194 mi). Inclination: 64.73 deg. Period: 90.00 min. COSPAR: 2000-023A. USAF Sat Cat: 26354. Decay Date: 2001-05-03. Military Observation. Advanced imaging reconnaissance satellite. Relays digital imagery to earth via geostationary comsats. The last such satellite, Cosmos 2359, reentered in July 1999 after one year in orbit. The Soyuz-U launcher placed it in a 183 x 277 km x 64.8 deg initial orbit; it raised altitude to 240 x 300 km about 24 hr after launch. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 May 6 - 06:34 GMT - Launch Site: White Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Black Brant. Model: Black Brant 9. LV Configuration: Black Brant IX NASA 36.183UG. FAILURE: Failure.
  • Ultraviolet astronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 273 km (169 mi). References: 2.
2000 May 8 - 16:01 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC40. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Titan. Model: Titan 402B/IUS. LV Configuration: Titan 402B 4B-29 / IUS.
  • USA 149 Nation: USA. Payload: DSP-1 Block 18 F20. Mass: 2,380 kg (5,240 lb). Class: Early Warning. Spacecraft: DSP. Manufacturer: TRW, Redondo Beach. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-024A. USAF Sat Cat: 26356. DSP-1 Block 14 ballistic missile launch detection satellite. Delivered by the two-stage IUS-22 solid rocket into geostationary orbit. Fullfilled mission of DSP 19 launched in 1999 into the wrong orbit when its IUS stage failed. Still in service as of March 2007. As of 2005 Apr 2 located at 8.05E drifting at 0.166E degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 May 11 - 01:48 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. Launch Vehicle: Delta. Model: Delta 7925-9.5. LV Configuration: Delta 7925-9.5 D278.
  • USA 150 Nation: USA. Program: Navstar. Payload: GPS 2R-4 / GPS SVN 51. Mass: 2,030 kg (4,470 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: GPS Block 2R. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 20,127 km (12,506 mi). Apogee: 20,235 km (12,573 mi). Inclination: 55.20 deg. Period: 717.90 min. COSPAR: 2000-025A. USAF Sat Cat: 26360. Placed into an elliptical transfer orbit. The satellite's Thiokol Star 37 apogee motor was used to circularise the orbit at 20,000 km in Plane E Slot 1 of the constellation, replacing GPS GPS 2-1. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 May 12 - 10:44 GMT -
  • EVA Mir EO-28-1 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: Mir. Crew: Kaleri, Zalyotin. Flight: Mir EO-28. EVA Duration: 0.20 days. The cosmonauts entered open space via the air-lock of Kvant-2 at 10:44 GMT. The Germatizator experiment, the use of a special glue to seal off cracks on the outside surface of the complex, was executed according to plan. An inspection of a malfunctioning solar panel on Kvant-1showed that the steering cable to the rotor was burnt through due to a short-circuit and was beyond repair. The cosmonauts dismantled an experimental lightweight solar battery from the outer surface of the SO docking compartment. The last activity was the panorama-inspection, making images of the outside of the complex to enable specialist to analyse the effects of ageing of the material. The hatch was closed on what might have been the last spacewalk on Mir at 15:36 GMT.
2000 May 16 - 08:27 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC133/1. Launch Pad: LC133/pad?. Launch Vehicle: UR-100N. Model: Rokot.
  • Simsat-1 Nation: Russia. Mass: 657 kg (1,448 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: Krunichev. Agency: Eurockot. Perigee: 543 km (337 mi). Apogee: 562 km (350 mi). Inclination: 86.37 deg. Period: 95.62 min. COSPAR: 2000-026A. USAF Sat Cat: 26365. First Rokot flight from Plesetsk, using a launch pad originally used for Kosmos rockets. The two-stage modified UR-100NUTTKh ICBM, delivered a Briz-KM upper stage to a suborbital trajectory. The first Briz burn was to an approximately 200 x 550 km transfer orbit; the second burn circularized at apogee. It placed two 660 kg dummy satellites in orbits similar to the parking orbit was used for the defunct Iridium program. The Briz-KM stage then made a third burn to lower its perigee to a 178 x 556 km x 86.4 deg disposal orbit. References: 2, 552, 554.
  • Simsat-2 Nation: Russia. Mass: 657 kg (1,448 lb). Class: Technology. Manufacturer: Krunichev. Agency: Eurockot. Perigee: 545 km (339 mi). Apogee: 557 km (346 mi). Inclination: 86.37 deg. Period: 95.59 min. COSPAR: 2000-026B. USAF Sat Cat: 26366. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 May 17 - 10:18 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.122UP.
  • SPIRIT 1 Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2.
2000 May 19 - 2000 May 19 - 10:11 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC39A. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Shuttle. LV Configuration: Space Shuttle STS-101.
  • STS-101 Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Payload: Atlantis F21. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Manufacturer: Boeing. Agency: NASA JSC. Perigee: 332 km (206 mi). Apogee: 341 km (211 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. COSPAR: 2000-027A. USAF Sat Cat: 26368. Duration: 9.84 days. Decay Date: 2000-05-29. Crew: Halsell, Horowitz, Weber, Williams Jeffrey, Voss, Helms, Usachyov. Flight: STS-101. ISS Logistics flight. Launch delayed three times by weather. Objective of mission STS-101 was repair, resupply and construction tasks aboard the international space station. This was the first launch with new electronic cockpit displays and other upgrades. The solid boosters separated at 10:13 GMT and the main engines cutoff at 10:19 GMT. The external tank, ET-102 then separated, with both orbiter and ET-102 in a 52 x 320 km initial orbit. At 10:54 GMT the OMS engines fired to raise perigee to 159 x 329 km x at 51.6 deg. Atlantis docked with the International Space Station's PMA-2 docking adapter on the Unity node at 04:31 GMT on May 21. At that time the ISS was in a 332 x 341 km orbit.

    On May 22 mission specialists Jeff Williams and James carried out external maintenance work on the ISS.

    On May 23 at 00:03 GMT the Atlantis crew opened the first hatch to PMA-2 and entered the Station. The crew replaced a set of batteries in Zarya, installed fans and ducting to improve airflow, and delivered supplies and equipment. Three hour-long orbit raising burns on May 24 and 25 by the RCS engines on Atlantis raised the station to a 372 x 380 km x 51.6 deg orbit.

    The STS-101 crew left the station on May 26, closing the PMA-2 hatch at 08:08 GMT and undocking at 23:03 GMT. Atlantis performed a 180 degree flyaround of the station and departed the vicinity around 23:44 GMT.

    Atlantis closed its payload bay doors around 02:30 GMT on May 29 and fired the OMS engines for deorbit at 05:12 GMT. The vehicle landed on RW15 at Kennedy Space Center at 06:20 GMT. Atlantis was to be turned around for the next ISS shuttle flight, STS-106.

    Left in orbit was the renovated International Space Station, equipped with an upgraded electrical system, new fans, filters, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and communications gear. References: 2, 7, 552, 554.

2000 May 20 -
  • Galileo, Ganymede 28 Flyby Nation: USA. Spacecraft: Galileo.
2000 May 22 - 01:48 GMT -
  • EVA STS-101-1 Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Class: Manned. Type: Space station. Spacecraft: International Space Station. Crew: Williams Jeffrey, Voss. Flight: STS-101. EVA Duration: 0.29 days. The crew reattached the US crane, attached the Russian Strela transfer boom, and replaced a faulty antenna on the Unity node. EVA handrails were fixed to the station exterior for use on later spacewalks.
2000 May 24 - 08:01 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF09. Launch Pad: LF09?. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 FTM-02. FAILURE: Failure.
  • PRP FTM-02 test Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 576FTS. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 2.
2000 May 24 - 23:10 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36B. Launch Pad: SLC36B. Launch Vehicle: Atlas V. Model: Atlas IIIA. LV Configuration: Atlas 3A AC-201.
  • Eutelsat W4 Nation: Europe. Program: Eutelsat. Mass: 3,190 kg (7,030 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000. Manufacturer: Alcatel, Cannes. Agency: Eutelsat. Perigee: 35,775 km (22,229 mi). Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-028A. USAF Sat Cat: 26369. Communications satellite. Maiden flight of Atlas IIIA with Russian RD-180 main engine; scrubbed four times. European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Eutelsat) satellite equipped with 32 Ku-band transponders, and antennae covering Russia and Africa. It will be stationed at 36 deg E. This was the third of the high power Eutelsat W series to be launched (W1 was destroyed in a ground accident). Stationed at 36 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 32 deg E in 2000. As of 4 September 2001 located at 35.98 deg E drifting at 0.003 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 36.08E drifting at 0.005E degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 May 28 - Launch Vehicle: KT. Model: KT-1.
  • China to Develop Solid Fuel Launch Vehicle Nation: China. China established the Space Solid Fuel Rocket Carrier Co., Ltd., to develop the new SLV-1 launch vehicle. This would be a mobile, partially reusable small space launcher. References: 424.
2000 May 28 - 20:00 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF06. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minotaur. Model: Minotaur 2. LV Configuration: Minotaur 2 TLV Demo.
  • OSPTLV 1 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFMC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). OSP-TLV (TLV-Demo) Missile Defense Technology References: 2.
2000 May 29 -
  • Landing of STS-101 Nation: USA. Program: ISS. Flight: STS-101. STS-101 landed at 06:20 GMT.
2000 June 6 - 02:59 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81/24. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/Briz-M. LV Configuration: Proton-K/Briz-M 392-01.
  • Gorizont Nation: Russia. Payload: Gorizont 45. Mass: 2,125 kg (4,684 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Gorizont. Manufacturer: NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, Zhelenogorsk. Agency: Kos Svya. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.30 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 2000-029A. USAF Sat Cat: 26372. Completed Operations Date: 2000-06-06. Communications satellite. First successful Proton/Briz-M launch. The Proton placed the Briz-M/Gorizont payload stack into a suborbital trajectory. The stage then performed four maneuvers to put the satellite into geosynchronous orbit:
    • Burn 1 placed the stack into a 200 km, 51.6 deg parking orbit probably inclined at around 51.6
    • Burn 2 raised apogee to 6000 km and changed inclination slightly
    • Burn 3, at second perigee, four hours after launch put the stack in a 369 x 34,988 km x 48.8 deg transfer orbit. The Briz-M then jettisoned its empty toroidal supplementary fuel tank.
    • Burn 4, ten hours after launch, placed Gorizont No. 45L in near-geostationary orbit.

    Gorizont No. 45L was expected to be the final launch of that model of television broadcasting satellite. It carried 6 C-band transponders, one L-band, and one Ku-band transponder. The newer Ekspress satellites are replacing the system. Stationed at 145 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 145 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 145.25 deg E drifting at 0.002 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 144.69E drifting at 0.019W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 June 7 - 13:19 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 F29.
  • TSX 5 Nation: USA. Payload: P95-2. Mass: 247 kg (544 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: STEP. Manufacturer: Orbital Sciences Corp., McLean. Agency: USAF STP. Perigee: 412 km (256 mi). Apogee: 1,695 km (1,053 mi). Inclination: 68.94 deg. Period: 106.19 min. COSPAR: 2000-030A. USAF Sat Cat: 26374. Military Technology satellite. Launch delayed from May 20 and June 6. Fifth STEP (Space Test Experiments Program) satellite. The satellite's main section was the STRV-2 experiment module, sponsored by the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization and the UK Ministry of Defense. This was to take infrared images of UK military aircraft at perigee, and then downlink data via laser. STRV-2 also carried vibration isolation and debris impact sensors. A secondary payload was the S97-1 CEASE (Compact Environmental Anomaly Sensor). This was an AFRL prototype sensor package to provide warning of spacecraft charging and radiation events. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 June 8 - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier.
  • PACBLITZ 00 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 2.
2000 June 8 - Launch Site: Barking Sands. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Terrier.
  • PACBLITZ 00 Target mission Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 10 km (6 mi). References: 2.
2000 June 9 - 08:01 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: LF10. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Minuteman 3. LV Configuration: Minuteman 3 GT172GM.
  • FOT GT172GM Follow-on Test launch Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSPC. Apogee: 1,300 km (800 mi). References: 2.
2000 June 13 - 16:06 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.121UP.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2.
2000 June 16 - 08:45 GMT - Launch Site: Balasore. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Prithvi. LV Configuration: Prithvi 17.
  • Test mission Nation: India. Agency: IDRDL. Apogee: 100 km (60 mi). References: 2.
2000 June 16 -
  • Landing of Soyuz TM-30 Nation: Russia. Program: Mir. Flight: Mir EO-28. Soyuz TM-30 undocked from Mir on June 15 21:24 GMT. Retrofire came at 23:52 GMT, followed by a safe landing at June 16, 00:44 GMT near Arkalyk in Kazakkstan. Thus ended the last human expedition to the Mir space station.
2000 June 17 -
  • Discovery of the Dhofar 378 Meteorite (Mars Meteorite) Nation: Oman.
2000 June 21 - 10:43 GMT - Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Hawk. Model: Nike Orion. LV Configuration: Nike Orion NASA 31.120UP.
  • Aeronomy mission Nation: USA. Agency: NASA GSFC. Apogee: 140 km (80 mi). References: 2.
2000 June 24 - 00:28 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC200/39. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2M. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2M 394-02.
  • Ekspress A No. 3 Nation: Russia. Payload: Ekspress A3 / Ekspress 3A. Mass: 2,600 kg (5,700 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Ekspress. Manufacturer: NPO Prikladnoi Mekhaniki, Zhelenogorsk. Agency: Intersputnik. Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-031A. USAF Sat Cat: 26378. Launch delayed from June 23. Geosynchronous communications satellite. Stationed at 11 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 11 deg W in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 10.99 deg W drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 11.00W drifting at 0.005E degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 June 25 - 11:50 GMT - Launch Site: Xichang. Launch Complex: LC1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: CZ. Model: CZ-3. LV Configuration: Chang Zheng 3 CZ3-13 (61).
  • Fengyun-2 Nation: China. Mass: 1,250 kg (2,750 lb). Class: Earth. Type: Weather. Spacecraft: FY-2. Manufacturer: Shanghai Inst. of Satellite Engineering. Agency: CASC. Perigee: 35,786 km (22,236 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.80 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 2000-032A. USAF Sat Cat: 26382. Second Fengyun-2 weather satellite, replacing the first FY-2 (retired in April after a three year service life). The spin-stabilised FY-2 fired its solid apogee motor early on Jun 26. By July 3, it was in a 35,791 x 35,804 km x 1.1 deg orbit drifting over the Pacific. Stationed at 104 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg E in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 104.56 deg E drifting at 0.030 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 34.70W drifting at 0.629W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 June 28 - 10:37 GMT - Launch Site: Plesetsk. Launch Complex: LC132/1. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Kosmos 3. Model: Kosmos 11K65M.
  • Nadezhda Nation: Russia. Payload: Tsikada-Kospas. Mass: 825 kg (1,818 lb). Class: Navigation. Spacecraft: Nadezhda. Manufacturer: AKO Polyot, Omsk. Agency: MO RF. Perigee: 686 km (426 mi). Apogee: 712 km (442 mi). Inclination: 98.14 deg. Period: 98.66 min. COSPAR: 2000-033A. USAF Sat Cat: 26384. Nadezhda navigation/search and rescue satellite. This represented the first sun-synchronous launch from Plesetsk. References: 2, 552, 554.
  • Tsinghua Nation: China. Mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: MicroSat-70. Manufacturer: Surrey. Agency: Tsinghua. Perigee: 687 km (427 mi). Apogee: 713 km (443 mi). Inclination: 98.14 deg. Period: 98.68 min. COSPAR: 2000-033B. USAF Sat Cat: 26385. Tsinghua University of Beijing satellite equipped with an imager, communications payload, and momentum wheels for 3-axis stabilisation. The 50 kg, 0.69 x 0.36 x 0.36m box-shaped satellite used a standard Surrey SSTL microsat bus.Tsinghua-1 was the first demonstrator for the planned Disaster Monitoring Constellation and carried a multi-spectral Earth imaging camera providing 39-metre nadir ground resolution in 3 spectral bands. The satellite also carried out research in low Earth orbit using digital store-and-forward communications, a digital signal processing (DSP) experiment, a Surrey-built GPS space receiver and a new 3-axis microsat attitude control experiment. Tsinghua-1 used the SGR-10, with 12 channels and equipped with two receive antennas, to investigate the use of GPS signals in microsat on-board attitude and orbit determination. In October 2000 Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) released a picture of Tsinghua-1 taken in orbit by the SNAP-1 6.5 kg nanosatellite. References: 2, 552, 554.
  • SNAP 1 Nation: UK. Mass: 6.00 kg (13.20 lb). Class: Technology. Spacecraft: SNAP. Manufacturer: Surrey. Agency: SSTL. Perigee: 691 km (429 mi). Apogee: 710 km (441 mi). Inclination: 98.14 deg. Period: 98.70 min. COSPAR: 2000-033C. USAF Sat Cat: 26386. The SNAP-1 Surrey Nanosatellite Applications Platform was a 6 kg satellite with imager and propulsion. It was to test rendezvous techniques by formation flying with the Tsinghua satellite placed in orbit on the same launch. In October 2000 Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) released a picture of Tsinghua-1 taken in orbit by the SNAP-1 6.5 kg nanosatellite. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 June 30 - 12:56 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36A. Launch Pad: SLC36A. Launch Vehicle: Atlas. Model: Atlas IIA. LV Configuration: Atlas IIA AC-139.
  • TDRS 8 Nation: USA. Program: STS. Payload: TDRS-H. Mass: 3,180 kg (7,010 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Agency: NASA GSF. Perigee: 35,773 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Inclination: 5.40 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-034A. USAF Sat Cat: 26388. Launch delayed from June 29. First Advanced Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, using a Hughes HS 601 satellite bus. It included an S-band phased array antenna and two Ku/Ka band reflectors 4.6 meters in diameter. The satellite was launched into a a 167 x 577 km x 28.3 deg parking orbit at 13:05 GMT. The Centaur upper stage made a second burn at 13:21 GMT, releasing the satellite into a subsynchronous transfer orbit of 237 x 27,666 km x 27.0 deg. The satellite's own Primex/Marquardt R4D liquid apogee engine would be used to maneuver the satellite into its final geosynchronous orbit. Stationed at 151 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 150 deg W in 2000. As of 5 September 2001 located at 149.99 deg W drifting at 0.014 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 145.38E drifting at 3.007W degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554.
2000 June 30 - 22:08 GMT - Launch Site: Baikonur. Launch Complex: LC81/24. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: Proton. Model: Proton-K/DM-2M. LV Configuration: Proton-K/DM-2M (DM3) 400-01.
  • Sirius 1 Nation: USA. Program: Sirius Radio. Payload: CD Radio 1. Mass: 3,800 kg (8,300 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto. Agency: Sirius R. Perigee: 24,465 km (15,201 mi). Apogee: 47,107 km (29,270 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-035A. USAF Sat Cat: 26390. Digital Audio Radio Satellite, used for transmission of S-band radio broadcasts direct to receivers in cars in the United States. Sirius 1 was inserted into an initial 6,166 x 47110 km x 63.4 deg transfer orbit by the Proton-K's Blok DM3 upper stage. The satellite's R4D liquid apogee engine made several burns to raise the orbit to 24,388 x 47,097 km x 63.3 deg by July 8. This elliptical, inclined 24 hour orbit had a 24 hour period, designed to keep the satellite between longitude 60W and 140W, with apogee over the northern hemisphere. Stationed at 66 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 66 deg W in 2000. As of 6 September 2001 located at 65.59 deg W drifting at 0.015 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 65.37W drifting at 0.004E degrees per day. References: 2, 552, 554.
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