- Double Star Mission
The Double Star Mission is a
satellite based space mission sponsored by theEuropean Space Agency and theChina National Space Administration . It is the first space mission launched byChina to investigateEarth 'smagnetosphere .Overview
The Double Star mission uses two satellites in Earth orbit - each designed, developed, launched, and operated by the China National Space Administration (CNSA).
The first of the two spacecraft (Tan Ce 1, Chinese for 'Explorer 1', also known as TC-1) was launched
December 29 ,2003 at 19:06 UT. The second spacecraft (TC-2) was launchedJuly 25 ,2004 at 07:05 UT. This schedule enables Double Star to operate simultaneously with ESA'sCluster mission .On
October 14 2007 , Tan Ce 1, after being decommissioned, burnt up during reentry into Earth's atmosphere.External links
* [http://www.esa.int/science/doublestar ESA page]
* [http://sci.esa.int/science-e/www/area/index.cfm?fareaid=70 ESA Science and Technology page]
* [http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/spat/research/missions/space_missions/doublestarhomepage/ Imperial College Double Star website]
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