OTS - The lynchpin of the European space telecommunications programme
Abstract
The Orbital Test Satellite (OTS) modular design permits its adaptation for a wide variety of missions, thereby yielding high reliability and economy of both time and development and operation costs. OTS is presently in its fifth year of operation as the demonstration vehicle for the European Communications Satellite system. The mission profile for OTS has followed the conventional timetable for a three axis-stabilized geosynchronous satellite, launched by an expendable vehicle into an elliptical transfer orbit whose apogee is close to the geosynchronous altitude. In operation to date, OTS performance measurements for the various telecommunications parameters have all been found superior to specifications or at least within specified tolerances. The telephony and TV signals used to range the satellite have shown agreement with standard ranging of better than 12 m over the 37,000 km range.
- Publication:
-
Aerospace Dynamics
- Pub Date:
- September 1982
- Bibcode:
- 1982AeDy.........7M
- Keywords:
-
- Communication Satellites;
- Ots (Esa);
- Satellite Design;
- Space Programs;
- Spacecraft Propulsion;
- Telecommunication;
- Elliptical Orbits;
- Operating Costs;
- Satellite Networks;
- Spacecraft Structures;
- Transfer Orbits;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles