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Aviation History
1985
1985 - 0113.PDF
INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE DIRECTORY DMSP The US Defence Meteorological Satellite Programme (DMSP) operational net work comprises two craft in near- polar orbit, providing global weather coverage four times a day. Five DMSP block 5D-1 satellites were launched between 1976 and 1980. These craft had 18-month design lives. The current Block 5D-2s have 36-month lives. RCA is under contract to build nine Block 5D-2s, the first of which flew in December 1982. Starting with Block 5D-2 F9, to be launched in 1986, DMSP satellites will carry a Hughes Aircraft passive microwave radiometer in addi tion to the Westinghouse visual/infrared radiometer. Purpose Weather satellite Payload Linescanning visual/infrared radiometer Owner US Department of Defence Manufacturer RCA Astro-Electronics Orbit Sun synchronous, 830km high, 98-7° inclined Launch DMSP Block 5D-2 by Atlas from Vandenberg AFB Stabilisation 3-axis Power 0-3kW Weight (in orbit) 660kg Cost $171m (1983)—four Block 5D-2 Remarks Westinghouse line scan (OLS) sensor operates at visual (0-3um resolu tion) and infrared (l-5um) frequencies. The Hughes Aircraft seven-channel special sensor microwave/imager (SSM/I—Block 5D-2 F9 and onwards) will be able to determine ocean surface wind speed, ice coverage and age, cloud water content, rainfall, and land surface moisture. DSCS The US Defence Satellite Communica tions System (DSCS) operational network comprises two spacecraft at each of four geostationary locations. DSCS satellites are launched two at a time. TRW built 16 DSCS lis, launched between 1973 and 1983 (four were lost in launcher failures). General Electric is building a new generation of DSCS III communication satellites, the first of which was launched in October 1982, along with the 15th DSCS II. Two more were launched in October 1983 and April 1984. Purpose Communication satellite Payload DSCS III 6-channel SHF transponder 1-channel UHF transponder •"'.Owner US Department of Defence Manufacturer DSCS II TRW Defence and Space Systems FLIGHT International, 12 January 1985 DSCS III General Electric Orbit Geostationary Launch DSCS III by Titan 34D or Shuttle/IUS Stabilisation II spin III 3-axis Power (end of life): II 0-4kW III 0-84kW Weight (in orbit): II 610kg III 885kg Design life II 5 years III 10 years Cost $423m (1984) one-seven DSCS III (numbers 8 through 14) Remarks DSCS III communications payload includes a 61-beam waveguide- lens SHF-UHF receiving antenna with electronic beam steering for anti-jam nulling, and two 19-beam waveguide-lens SHF transmission antennas. Fltsatcom US Navy Fleet Satellite Communications (Fltsatcom) spacecraft provide UHF links to mobile forces, including US Air Force aircraft equipped with Afsatcom terminals. The operational network comprises four satellites in geostationary orbit. Purpose Communications satellite Payload 23 UHF channels Owner US Department of Defence Manufacturer TRW Defence and Space Systems Launch/status Fltsatcom 1 Feb 1978 Atlas-Centaur 2 May 1979 Atlas-Centaur 3 Jan 1980 Atlas-Centaur 4 Oct 1980 Atlas-Centaur 5 Aug 1981 Atlas-Centaur/ damaged on launch Stabilisation 3-axis Power (end of life): l-2kW Weight (at launch): 1,900kg Design life 5 years Remarks Communications payload provides one Fleet broadcast channel (with SHF uplink), nine relay channels, 12-narrow-band Afsatcom channels, and one USAF/DoD wideband channel. RCA is building nine DMSP Block 5D-2 spacecraft for the Defence Meteorological Satellite Programme
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