Operation with the flight unit of "RELEC" instrument
The launch of the scientific instrument "RELEC" is rescheduled to the next year.
As the Leading researcher of SINP MSU, DSc. Sergey Svertilov told us: "Currently the flight unit of the equipment is being prepared for acceptance tests, after the finishing of which the instrument "RELEC" will be delivered to Lavochkin Scientific and Production Association. The launch is planned for March 2014."
The scientific equipment "RELEC" is a complex of instruments developed and produced by SINP scientists for the studies of high-altitude electric discharges, atmospheric transient events (sprites, blue jets, elves, etc.) and relativistic electrons precipitation from the radiation belts of the Earth, and for studies of these phenomena as a whole.
The studies by means of "RELEC" equipment have not only scientific, but also applied importance: precipitating electrons produce serious danger for spacecrafts.
"RELEC" equipment must be assembled onboard a small spacecraft for fundamental space research (MKA-FKI) N 2, manufactured by Lavochkin Scientific and Production Association. In its turn this small satellite will be set as an additional useful payload onboard "Meteor" spacecraft.