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07.19.2014
Soyuz-2.1a launch (Illustration image)
July 19 at 00 hours 50 minutes Moscow time from the launch complex Sq. 31 took the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch vehicle (LV) Soyuz-2.1a with the spacecraft (SC) Foton-M 4.
In accordance with cyclogram flight 00 hours 58 minutes spacecraft Foton-M 4 (RCC production of Progress, Samara) was launched into orbit.
Launch of Soyuz 2.1a carrying Foton-M4 science sat from Baikonur
Mass of the satellite is 6840 kg, the mass of scientific instruments - up to 850 kg (600 kg lander inside and up to 250 kg - outside). Lifetime in orbit - 60 days. The average height of the orbit Foton-M 4 is 575 km.
Foton-M spacecraft description
Spacecraft Foton-M 4 is designed for microgravity experiments, providing reception of new knowledge on the physics of weightlessness and the refinement of manufacturing processes of semiconductor materials, biomedical products with improved performance, as well as conducting biological and biotechnological research.
Among them - the joint Russian-German experiments in growing semiconductor crystals under microgravity conditions by setting KBTS 15.
This setting is developed in the Research Institute of launch complexes VPBarmin name, one of the largest of scientific equipment on board a spacecraft Foton-M 4. It is an automatic oven ELECTROVACUUM Polizon-2 with temperature from 400 to 1200 degrees, equipped with a control system, automatic feeding and evacuating one of the 12 capsules with samples.
Foton-M spacecraft
By using the zone melting method and in the directional solidification furnace scientists can investigate the growth of crystal lattices in microgravity obtain highly purified crystals with improved structure, which can be useful for industry, able to investigate the crystallization process under magnetic field and vibration.
Among the 12 capsules have several prepared by scientists from the Institute of Crystallography and Materials Science Center of the University of Freiburg. German researchers intend to carry on board the Foton-M 4 five experiments with semiconductor materials that are essential for modern electronics, in particular gallidom germanium (GeGa), germanium silicide (GeSi), cadmium zinc telluride, (CdZnTe).
In automatic electric-furnace Polizon-2, these samples will melt and form a homogeneous due to weightlessness crystals, devoid of defects. The results obtained will allow scientists to improve the technology in the world.
ROSCOSMOS Press Release: http://www.roscosmos.ru/20780/
Images, Text, Credits: Roscosmos press service / ROSCOSMOS / Translation: Orbiter.ch Aerospace.
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