An SSTL Minisatellite could orbit the moon in 2001. The first minisatellite, the UoSAT 12, will be launched this year to demonstrate the potential of low-Earth and geostationary-orbit Earth observation and communications missions, as well as to act a technology demonstrator.
SSTL plans to employ the mini-satellite for potential co-operative interplanetary missions of which the lunar flight, designated Earthrise, will be the first
The firm plans to offer this and other missions at a total cost of less than $15 million, far less than the "smaller, faster, better, cheaper", $150 million-class NASA missions. The Earthrise could operate a science payload weighing 32kg in 100km circular lunar orbit.
To get there, the spacecraft would first fly into geostationary transfer orbit, taking advantage of a piggyback launch with a commercial communications satellite. The Earthrise spacecraft would perform two phasing orbit burns using its own rocket motor to gradually increase the apogee of the orbit so that it eventually co-incides with that of the Moon.
The final burn would alter the orbital plane to match that of the Moon and also allow it to enter lunar orbit. SSTL has developed its own restartable hybrid propulsion system for the Earthrise, which has completed over 100 successful ground test firings.
The Earthrise would operate for about a year, returning lunar images and data, with the aid of its S-band tracking and telemetry control system.
Nine deployable solar panels will provide 0.18kW of power. SSTL would expect to cover 50% of the estimated $20 million cost of a mission.
Source: Flight International
