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BeppoSAX
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== Spacecraft characteristics == BeppoSAX was a three axes stabilized satellite, with a pointing accuracy of 1'. The main attitude constraint derived from the need to maintain the normal to the solar arrays within 30Β° from the Sun, with occasional excursions to 45Β° for some WFC observations. Due to the low orbit the satellite was in view of the ground station of [[Broglio Space Center|Malindi]] for only a limited fraction of the time. Data was stored on-board on a [[magnetic tape|tape unit]] with a capacity of 450 Mbits and transmitted to ground every orbit during station passage. The average data rate available to instruments was about 60 kbit/s, but peak rates of up to 100 kbit/s can be retained for part of each orbit. With the solar panels closed, the spacecraft was 3.6 m in height and 2.7 m in diameter. The total mass amounts to 1400 kg, with a payload of 480 kg.<ref name=saxov/> The structure of the satellite consisted of three basic functional subassemblies: * the Service Module, in the lower part of the spacecraft, which housed all the subsystems and the electronic boxes of the scientific instruments. * the Payload Module, which housed the scientific instruments and the [[star tracker]]s. * the Thermal Shade Structure, that enclosed the Payload Module.<ref>{{cite journal|first=G.|last=Boella|title=BeppoSAX, the wide band mission for X-ray astronomy|url=https://aas.aanda.org/articles/aas/abs/1997/05/ds1221/ds1221.html|doi=10.1051/aas:1997136|pages=299β307|journal=Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series|year=1997 |volume=122 |issue=2 |bibcode=1997A&AS..122..299B |doi-access=free}}</ref> The primary sub-systems of the satellite are: * The Attitude Orbital Control System (AOCS), that performed attitude determination and manoeuvred and operated the Reaction Control Subsystem in charge of orbit recovering. It included redundant [[magnetometer]]s, Sun acquisition sensors, three star trackers, six [[gyroscope]]s (three of which are for redundancy), three [[Magnetorquer|magnetic torquers]] and four [[reaction wheel]]s, all controlled by a dedicated computer. The AOCS ensured a pointing accuracy of 1' during source observations and manoeuvres with a slew rate of 10Β° per min. * The On Board Data Handler (OBDH) was the core for data management and system control on the satellite and it also managed the communication interfaces between the satellite and the ground station. Its computer supervised all subsystem processor activities, such as those of each instrument, and the communication busses.<ref name=saxov/>
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