File:SAS-3 layout.gif

This is a .gif diagram of NASA's SAS 3 Small Astronomy Satellite, downloaded from NASA's High Energy Astronomy Science Archive SAS 3 gallery, at http://heasarc.nasa.gov/Images/sas3/sas3_layout.gif. Built by the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). It shows an overall view of the spacecraft as it appeared deployed, with major features labeled. The S/C z-axis points to the upper right. The scientific instrument package is above, and the spacecraft section (power conditioning and batteries, command and data electronics, communications equipment, momentum wheel for attitude control) are in the lower section. One star sensor views along the +z axis, and one looks out along +y, which is pointed out of the picture. The Rotating Modulation Collimator system looks up along the +z axis, while the slat and tube collimators, and the Soft X-ray experiment (LEDs), look out along the +y axis. The four solar power panels, which look like the sails of a windmill, could be rotated by command to catch the maximum solar flux. A detailed description of the spacecraft and mission can be found at Mayer 1975, APL Tech Digest, 14, 14. Downloaded by User:Wwheaton, 18 October 2009.