The sixth year for OTS - A success story
Abstract
ESA's Orbital Test Satellite (OTS) was launched in 1978 in order to test techniques and design philosophies that might be subsequently used in the European Communication Satellite, and to furnish preoperational satellite communications capacity to EUTELSAT for the development of ground facilities. Attention is given to the OTS design, into which enough by way of redundancy and back-up operational modes has been built to preclude single point failures. Automatic onboard fault detection and correction, with full telecommand over-ride, has been found to provide great operational flexibility. OTS operational procedures such as solar sailing and precision stationkeeping are explained. ESA/EUTELSAT's OTS management structure is noted.
- Publication:
-
Budapest International Astronautical Federation Congress
- Pub Date:
- October 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983buda.iafcS....A
- Keywords:
-
- Ots (Esa);
- Satellite Design;
- Downlinking;
- Redundancy;
- Satellite Attitude Control;
- Solar Arrays;
- Solar Sails;
- Stationkeeping;
- Launch Vehicles and Space Vehicles