TDRS-8

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.

TDRS-8
TDRS-H undergoing processing before launch
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID2000-034A
SATCAT no.26388
Mission durationPlanned: 11 years
Elapsed: 20 years, 1 month, 4 days
Spacecraft properties
BusBSS-601
ManufacturerBoeing
Launch mass3197 kg
Dimensions21.0 metres long
13.1 metres wide
Power2300 watts
Start of mission
Launch date30 June 2000, 12:56:00 (2000-06-30UTC12:56) UTC
RocketAtlas IIA
Launch siteCape Canaveral, LC-36A
ContractorILS
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude171.0° West (2000-?)
270.8° West
Epoch1 July 2000
 

Launch
The launch of TDRS-H

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.

Location of TDRS as of 26 May 2020
Location of TDRS as of 18 March 2019
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gollark: Optimize it.
gollark: Make it NOT do that.
gollark: Computers are VERY fast.
gollark: Idea: to prevent possible attacks caused by reuse of keys, reduce storage requirements, and something something statelessness, generate a new PGP key for every message.

See also
    • Krebs, Gunter. "TDRS-8, 9, 10". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
    • McDowell, Jonathan (29 May 2000). "Issue 427". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
    • "TDRS-8". Failures. Sat-ND. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
    • "Communications Satellite Serves Space Projects". Advanced Technologies, Volume 8 Number 5. NASA Aerospace Technology Innovation. September 2000. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
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