Astronomische Nederlandse Satelliet (ANS) was launched by a American Scout rocket from the Western Test Range, California, on August 30 1974 into a polar orbit. It was a collaborative effort between the Netherlands (NIVR) and USA (NASA). The University of Groningen and Utrecht (Netherlands) provided the Ultraviolet and the Soft X-ray experiments, while the American Science and Engineering company provided the hard X-ray experiment.
Mission Characteristics
Lifetime
30 Aug 1974–14 Jun 1977
Special Features
Three axis stabilization, with Z axis always pointed sunward and pointing accuracy of 1′ for any location perpendicular to the sun-pointing axis.
Lifetime
30 Aug 1974–14 Jun 1977
Special Features
Three axis stabilization, with Z axis always pointed sunward and pointing accuracy of 1′ for any location perpendicular to the sun-pointing axis.
Payload
Instrument
Characteristic
Details
Ultraviolet Experiment
Energy Range
0.16–0.28 keV
Wavelength
1500–3300 Å
Effective Area
144 cm2
Field of View
34′
Parabolic mirror with proportional counter on the focal plane
Soft X-ray Experiment (SXX)
Energy Range
1–7 kev
Effective Area
45 cm2
Field of View
38′ × 75′
Proportional counter
Hard X-ray Experiment (SXX)
Energy Range
1–30 kev
Effective Area
40 cm2
Field of View
10′ × 3°
Bragg Crystal Assembly to search for Si lines
Ultraviolet Experiment
Energy Range
0.16–0.28 keV
Wavelength
1500–3300 Å
Effective Area
144 cm2
Field of View
34′
Parabolic mirror with proportional counter on the focal plane
Soft X-ray Experiment (SXX)
Energy Range
1–7 kev
Effective Area
45 cm2
Field of View
38′ × 75′
Proportional counter
Hard X-ray Experiment (SXX)
Energy Range
1–30 kev
Effective Area
40 cm2
Field of View
10′ × 3°
Bragg Crystal Assembly to search for Si lines
Science Highlights
Discovery of the X-ray bursts
Detection of X-ray from stellar coronae (Capella)
First detection of X-ray flares from UV Ceti and YZ CMi
Astronomische Nederlandse Satelliet (ANS) was launched by a American Scout rocket from the Western Test Range, California, on August 30 1974 into a polar orbit. It was a collaborative effort between the Netherlands (NIVR) and USA (NASA). The University of Groningen and Utrecht (Netherlands) provided the Ultraviolet and the Soft X-ray experiments, while the American Science and Engineering company provided the hard X-ray experiment.