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&sq=albert einstein&lang=en&file=File:Cluster_ESA15192620.jpeg) Artist's impression of the Cluster constellation. | |
| Mission type | Magnetospheric research |
|---|---|
| Operator | ESA with NASA collaboration |
| COSPAR ID | FM6 (SALSA): 2000-041A FM7 (SAMBA): 2000-041B FM5 (RUMBA): 2000-045A FM8 (TANGO): 2000-045B |
| SATCAT no. | FM6 (SALSA): 26411 FM7 (SAMBA): 26410 FM5 (RUMBA): 26463 FM8 (TANGO): 26464 |
| Website | http://sci.esa.int/cluster |
| Mission duration | Planned: 5 years Elasped: 23 years, 11 months and 19 days |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Airbus (ex. Dornier)[1] |
| Launch mass | 1,200 kg (2,600 lb)[1] |
| Dry mass | 550 kg (1,210 lb)[1] |
| Payload mass | 71 kg (157 lb)[1] |
| Dimensions | 2.9 m × 1.3 m (9.5 ft × 4.3 ft)[1] |
| Power | 224 watts[1] |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | FM6: 16 July 2000, 12:39 UTC FM7: 16 July 2000, 12:39 UTC FM5: 09 August 2000, 11:13 UTC FM8: 09 August 2000, 11:13 UTC |
| Rocket | Soyuz-U/Fregat |
| Launch site | Baikonur 31/6 |
| Contractor | Starsem |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | September 2024 (planned) |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Elliptical Orbit |
| Perigee altitude | FM6: 16,118 km (10,015 mi) FM7: 16,157 km (10,039 mi) FM5: 16,022 km (9,956 mi) FM8: 12,902 km (8,017 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | FM6: 116,740 km (72,540 mi) FM7: 116,654 km (72,485 mi) FM5: 116,786 km (72,567 mi) FM8: 119,952 km (74,535 mi) |
| Inclination | FM6: 135 degrees FM7: 135 degrees FM5: 138 degrees FM8: 134 degrees |
| Period | FM6: 3259 minutes FM7: 3257 minutes FM5: 3257 minutes FM8: 3258 minutes |
| Epoch | 13 March 2014, 11:15:07 UTC |
&sq=albert einstein&lang=en&file=File:Cluster_II_insignia.png) ESA solar system insignia for Cluster II | |
Cluster II[2] is a space mission of the European Space Agency, with NASA participation, to study the Earth's magnetosphere over the course of nearly two solar cycles. The mission is composed of four identical spacecraft flying in a tetrahedral formation. As a replacement for the original Cluster spacecraft which were lost in a launch failure in 1996, the four Cluster II spacecraft were successfully launched in pairs in July and August 2000 onboard two Soyuz-Fregat rockets from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. In February 2011, Cluster II celebrated 10 years of successful scientific operations in space. In February 2021, Cluster II celebrated 20 years of successful scientific operations in space. As of March 2023[update], its mission has been extended until September 2024.[3] The China National Space Administration/ESA Double Star mission operated alongside Cluster II from 2004 to 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f "Cluster (Four Spacecraft Constellation in Concert with SOHO)". ESA. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
- ^ "Cluster II operations". European Space Agency. Retrieved 29 November 2011.
- ^ "Extended life for ESA's science missions". ESA. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2023.