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Orbital Test Satellite
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The Orbital Test Satellite (OTS) programme was an experimental satellite system inherited by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1975 from its predecessor, the European Space Research Organisation (ESRO). OTS was the first three-axis-stabilised Ku-band satellite, and its design has inspired the conception of almost 30 other satellites in Europe. Its successors, the Maritime European Communications Satellite (MARECS) and European Communications Satellite (ECS) series of satellites, consolidated Europe's position in communications satellite technology and manufacturing.[2]
Quick Facts Names, Mission type ...
![]() Artist's impression of the Orbital Test Satellite | |
Names | Orbital Test Satellite OTS |
---|---|
Mission type | Technology demonstration, Communications satellite |
Operator | European Space Agency (ESA) |
COSPAR ID | 1978-044A |
SATCAT no. | 10855 |
Website | http://www.esa.int/ |
Mission duration | 3 years (planned) 12 years, 7 months, 22 days (achieved) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | OTS 2 |
Spacecraft type | OTS |
Bus | OTS Bus |
Manufacturer | British Aerospace (BAe) / Matra Marconi Space (MMS)[1] |
Launch mass | 865 kg (1,907 lb) |
Dry mass | 390 kg (860 lb) |
Dimensions | 2.4 × 2.1 × 1.7 m (7 ft 10 in × 6 ft 11 in × 5 ft 7 in) Span: 9.3 m on orbit |
Power | 600 watts |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 11 May 1978, 22:59:00 UTC |
Rocket | Delta 3914 (s/n D141) |
Launch site | Cape Canaveral, LC-17A |
Contractor | McDonnell Douglas |
Entered service | July 1978 |
End of mission | |
Disposal | Graveyard orbit |
Deactivated | 2 January 1991 |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
Regime | Geostationary orbit |
Longitude | 10° East |
Transponders | |
Band | 6 Ku-band |
Coverage area | Europe |
OTS programme ← OTS-1 |
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