The Communications Technology Satellite flight performance
Abstract
The Communications Technology Satellite was launched by NASA on 17 Jan. 1976 as part of a joint U.S./Canadian program in which Canada designed, assembled and now operates the satellite. The satellite's primary features include a TWT operating at a frequency of 12 GHz with a power output greater than 200 W, extendible flexible solar arrays providing an initial power output of greater than 1300 W, and a three-axis stabilization system to maintain the satellite body pointing to within plus or minus 0.1 deg about pitch and roll and 1.1 deg about yaw. In this paper, significant areas of the performance of the main subsystems are reviewed to illustrate how mission objectives have been met. Where operational plans have been altered significantly, the changes are discussed. A brief status report of the Canadian communications experiments operations is presented.
- Publication:
-
Acta Astronautica
- Pub Date:
- June 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0094-5765(78)90095-4
- Bibcode:
- 1978AcAau...5..343R
- Keywords:
-
- Communications Technology Satellite;
- Flight Characteristics;
- International Cooperation;
- Satellite Transmission;
- Spacecraft Performance;
- European Space Agency;
- Project Management;
- Solar Arrays;
- Spin Stabilization;
- Traveling Wave Tubes;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles