MOSCOW. Sept 13 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian and European scientists will conduct a joint unique experiment, which envisions deorbiting cargo with the help of a cable, within the framework of the Foton-M launch, slated for 3 p.m. Moscow time on Friday.
"The 6-kg Fotino microcapsule, linked to the Foton-M by a 30-km ultrastrong polyethylene cable, which has a diameter of only 0.5 mm and an overall weight of only five kilograms, will detach from the Foton-M in the course of the experiment," the Russian Federal Space Agency web site quotes an ESA official as saying.
Shortly before the Foton landing the Fotino capsule will move away at the length of the cable. Gravitation forces will result in the so-called 'sling effect': the small 'satellite' will start oscillating along the vertical axis, and if the cable is cut at a certain moment, the Fotino trajectory will start changing. The capsule will enter atmosphere, decelerate, and parachute down several hours later, the official said.
"Thus, we will demonstrate both the ability to deorbit small cargo, for instance, results of scientific researches, and the technology for correcting satellite orbits without employing rocket engines," he said.
The experiment, named Young Engineers Satellite, has been developed by the Dutch ESA Research Center. The project saw participation of over 500 students from various European universities, including the Russian Samara State Aerospace University.