Orbit design for launching INTEGRAL on the Proton/Block-DM launcher

Clausen, K.; Eismont, N. A.; Janin, G.; Ditrikh, A. V.; Karrask, V. K.; Medvedchikov, A. I.; Kulik, S. V.; Vtorushin, N. A.; Yakushin, N. I.

Russia, Germany, Netherlands

Abstract

This paper describes some aspects of the mission design determined by use of the Proton/Block-DM launch vehicle in the version used for injection onto a highly elliptical orbit of the international gamma-ray astrophysics laboratory INTEGRAL. Methods and results used for choosing an operational orbit for INTEGRAL are presented.

2003 Astronomy and Astrophysics
INTEGRAL 31