Abstract
This paper describes the early in-flight performance of the Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS) for the AMPTE-UKS. The paper begins with a brief description of the AMPTE mission and the UK Operations Control Centre. Attention is then given to the on-board aspects of the AOCS including the microprocessor, the cold-gas thrusters, and the magnetorquer. Launch and injection into operational orbit of the triple-satellite system sets the scene for the initial, and critical, spin-axis erection manoeuvre of the UK subsatellite which began about an hour after switch-on of the relevant satellite subsystems. Spin-down and orbit correction manoeuvres are also described, the latter being required to maintain various separations from the Germain satellite for the active plasma experiments. Some concluding remarks are then made about the performance of the basic elements of the AOCS observed so far.
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