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TDRS-5, known before launch as TDRS-E, is an American communications satellite, of first generation, which is operated by NASA as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. It was constructed by TRW is based on a custom satellite bus which was used for all seven first generation TDRS satellites.[2]

TDRS-5

TDRS-E aboard Atlantis during deployment
Mission type	Communication
Operator	NASA
COSPAR ID	1991-054B
SATCAT no.	21639
Mission duration	Planned: 10 years Elapsed: 30 years, 10 months, 16 days
Spacecraft properties
Bus	TDRS
Manufacturer	TRW
Launch mass	2,108 kg (4,647 lb)
Dimensions	17.3 × 14.2 m (57 × 47 ft)
Power	1700 watts
Start of mission
Launch date	2 August 1991, 15:01:59 (1991-08-02UTC15:01:59) UTC
Rocket	Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-43 / IUS
Launch site	Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A
Contractor	Rockwell International
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Geostationary orbit
Longitude	174° West (1991–) [1]
Epoch	3 August 1991

History

It was launched aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis during the STS-43 mission. Atlantis launched from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center on 2 August 1991 at 15:01:59 UTC (11:01:59 EDT).[3] TDRS-E was deployed from Atlantis around six hours after launch, and was raised to geostationary orbit by means of an Inertial Upper Stage. It was the only TDRS satellite to be deployed from Atlantis.[3]

Deployment

The twin-stage solid-propellent Inertial Upper Stage made two burns. The first stage burn occurred shortly after deployment, from Atlantis, and placed the satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Around six hours later, it reached apogee, and the second stage fired, placing TDRS-E into geosynchronous orbit. At this point, it received its operational designation, TDRS-5. It was placed at a position over the equator, 174.0° West of the Greenwich Meridian,[1] from where it provides communications services to spacecraft in Earth orbit, including the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.

See also

• List of TDRS satellites

References

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