Atlas launches NASA communications satellite
Posted: Thu, Jan 31, 2013, 7:31 AM ET (1231 GMT)
An Atlas 5 rocket successfully placed into orbit Wednesday night the first in a new generation of communications satellites for NASA. The Atlas 5 401 lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on schedule at 8:48 pm EST Wednesday (0148 GMT Thursday). The rocket's Centaur upper stage released the NASA TDRS-K satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit an hour and 46 minutes after liftoff. The satellite, based on the Boeing 601HP model, will relay communications in the Ka-, Ku-, and S-bands to support NASA operations of the International Space Station and other spacecraft. The 3,450-kilogram spacecraft will operate from over the Pacific Ocean once it enters service. TDRS-K is the first of three next-generation communications satellites that will be launched over the next few years to supplement and replace the existing, aging network of NASA communications satellites.
An Atlas 5 rocket successfully placed into orbit Wednesday night the first in a new generation of communications satellites for NASA. The Atlas 5 401 lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on schedule at 8:48 pm EST Wednesday (0148 GMT Thursday). The rocket's Centaur upper stage released the NASA TDRS-K satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit an hour and 46 minutes after liftoff. The satellite, based on the Boeing 601HP model, will relay communications in the Ka-, Ku-, and S-bands to support NASA operations of the International Space Station and other spacecraft. The 3,450-kilogram spacecraft will operate from over the Pacific Ocean once it enters service. TDRS-K is the first of three next-generation communications satellites that will be launched over the next few years to supplement and replace the existing, aging network of NASA communications satellites.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Space Force selects companies to develop space-based interceptor prototypes
Posted: Sun, Nov 30 8:40 AM ET (1340 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Wednesday, December 3
Musk’s Starlink rival Eutelsat shares plummet 7% after report of SoftBank cutting its stake
CNBC — 5:31 am ET (1031 GMT) SpaceX skirts the weather to launch 29 Starlink satellites
Spectrum News — 5:29 am ET (1029 GMT) From college dropout to ASU alum to Space Force general
Arizona State Univ. — 5:28 am ET (1028 GMT) Satellite intelligence mission celebrates launch
BBC — 5:27 am ET (1027 GMT) Brevard to ask state for hearing on Blue Origin’s lagoon discharge request
WMFE-FM Orlando — 5:25 am ET (1025 GMT) |
