Souz-U rocket carrying Foton-M satellite is due to blast off from Baikonur spaceport at 3:00 p.m., MSK, September 14.
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Satellite to Lower Cargo by Using Rope
Souz-U rocket carrying Foton-M satellite blasts off from Baikonur spaceport at 3:00 p.m., MSK, Friday, September 14. After being delivered to orbit, the satellite will operate in the outer space for 12 days and then return to the Earth. It will carry 26 experiments, 10 of them initiated by Russia, and lower a cargo by using the rope.
The developers of YES (Young Engineers Satellite) experiment, for instance, are more than 500 students of Europe’s and Russia’s universities.
Of all experiments, the one with Fotino microcapsule is perhaps the most interesting. Fotino of roughly 6kg will separate from the satellite shortly before landing. It won’t be a totally independent flight at first, as Fotino will be tied to the satellite by the rope long 30km and having diameter of 0.5mm. It is made from the ultra-strong polyethylene fiber Dyneema.
For a while, the satellite and the satellite’s satellite will move at the low earth orbit connected by rope. The rope will be cut from both sides when the time comes and Fotino will enter the atmosphere for parachute landing to test chances for early return of low-weight cargo.
www.kommersant.com
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