GEOS (ESA)

GEOS ( Geostationary Earth Orbit Satellite ) is a program of the European Space Agency (ESA, Eng. ESA ), which included the first satellite in geostationary orbit, which served exclusively scientific purposes. In NASA terminology, which was responsible for the launch of the satellites, these satellites were also called ESA-GEOS to distinguish them from the satellites of the NASA GEOS program of the same name.

The tasks of the satellites were measurements of the electric and magnetic fields, the interaction of the plasma with the magnetic field, as well as the distribution of energy and angular charges of charged particles ( electrons and ions ) in a geostationary orbit.

The satellites had a cylindrical structure 1.32 m high. Without fuel, they weighed 274 kg each. In orbit, they deployed four 2.5 m long arrows, two 20 m cable supports and two 3 m lockable supports for various sensors. To prevent electrostatic charges, 96% of the surface of the satellites was electrically conductive.

Both satellites were identical, with the exception of minor modifications of some experiments.

ESA-GEOS satellites

• GEOS 1 (before launch of GEOS A ) was launched on April 20, 1977 from Cape Canaveral into space with the Delta-2914 rocket . The failure of the Delta rocket made it impossible to reach the geostationary orbit. But part of the experiments in a high elliptical orbit 2682-38475 km high with a 12-hour period and a 26.6 ° angle of inclination of the orbit could still be carried out. ^[1] .
• GEOS 2 (before the launch of GEOS B ) was successfully launched on July 14, 1978 from Cape Canaveral with a Delta-2914 missile and then located 37 ° east of the equator. ^[one]