Hipparcos

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Class: Astronomy. Type: Visible. Destination: Geosynchronous Orbit. Nation: Europe. Agency: ESA.

Scientific satellite for astrometry. Didn't reach GEO due to AKM failure; measured star positions. Frequency plan 2054.25 /2241 MHz. Launch time 2325:53 UT. Designator ESA/89/03.

Typical orbit: 542 km x 35836 km at 7 degrees inclination. Mass: 1,130 kg (2,490 lb).

Hipparcos Chronology

1989 August 8 - Hipparcos - Launch Site: Kourou. Launch Complex: ELA2. Launch Vehicle: Ariane. Mass: 1,130 kg (2,490 lb). Perigee: 542 km (336 mi). Apogee: 35,836 km (22,267 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.

Bibliography:

McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page (launch records), Harvard University, 1997-present. Web Address when accessed: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
JPL Mission and Spacecraft Library, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 1997. Web Address when accessed: http://msl.jpl.nasa.gov/home.html.
McDowell, Jonathan, Launch Log, October 1998. Web Address when accessed: http://hea-www.harvard.edu/~jcm/space/log/launch.html.

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