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TDRS-8, known before launch as TDRS-H, is an American communications satellite, of second generation, which is operated by NASA as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. It was constructed by Boeing is based on the BSS-601 satellite bus.

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TDRS-8

TDRS-H undergoing processing before launch
Mission type	Communication
Operator	NASA
COSPAR ID	2000-034A
SATCAT no.	26388
Mission duration	Planned: 11 years Elapsed: 21 years, 11 months, 13 days
Spacecraft properties
Bus	BSS-601
Manufacturer	Boeing
Launch mass	3197 kg
Dimensions	21.0 metres long 13.1 metres wide
Power	2300 watts
Start of mission
Launch date	30 June 2000, 12:56:00 (2000-06-30UTC12:56) UTC
Rocket	Atlas IIA
Launch site	Cape Canaveral, LC-36A
Contractor	ILS
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Geostationary orbit
Longitude	171.0° West (2000-?) 270.8° West
Epoch	1 July 2000

Launch

Its launch was contracted by International Launch Services, using an Atlas IIA launch vehicle. The launch occurred on 30 June 2000, at 12:56:00 UTC from Launch Complex 36A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

It was the first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, of second generation, to be launched. Due to a malfunction of the multiple-access phased array antenna the spacecraft did not provide the expected level of performance for eighteen of the communications services that it was to provide. The same problem was found and corrected on the TDRS-9 and TDRS-10 satellites prior to their launches.

Orbit

Following its launch, it raised itself into geostationary orbit by means of its onboard R-4D apogee motor, and was positioned at 150.0° West for on-orbit testing. After testing was complete, it was moved to 171.0° West from where it provides communications services to spacecraft in Earth orbit, including the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.

See also

• 2000 in spaceflight
• List of TDRS satellites

External links

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