NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1967-065A
SECOR 9 (SEquential COllation of Range 9), or Engineer Geodetic Research Satellite IX (EGRS IX), was a joint US Army/Navy satellite developed for the U.S. Army Engineer Topographic Laboratories (USAETL) by the Cubic Corporation. Its primary objective was to provide geodetic coordinates of a ground point located from 160 to 4800 km from known geodetic positions. A series of these Type II SECOR satellites were launched from 1964 to 1970, supported by for transportable ground stations. The goal of the program was to keep at least one operational satellite in orbit at all times. The satellite would transmit signals from orbit that would be received by the four ground stations to conduct range measurements. Three of these stations were placed at known geodetic locations, and the fourth at an unknown location, which could then be calculated using the known satellite and station locations. In this way a network of geodetic points was "filled in" over time.
The Type II SECOR satellites were rectangular prisms measuring 25.3 x 29.8 x 34.9 cm (9.95 x 11.75 x 13.75 in.). Mass was approximately 17.7 kg (39 lbs.). The satellite construction was primarily aluminum, built around four structural subassemblies. The baseplate subassembly provided mounting surfaces for the transponder and the center support and solar panel support subassemblies. The transponder was a Cubic-built transistorized model TR-30A, which would demodulate the incoming composite signal and phase modulate two carriers of 449 and 224.5 MHz. The signals were demodulated at the ground receiving stations and combined to give effective ranging frequencies.
The center support subassembly provided mounting surfaces for the telemetry and power system components and housing for the batteries, as well as supporting the telemetry antenna. The batteries were hermetically sealed Ni-Cd cells with nominal output of 13.75 volts, charged at 600 milliamperes for 14 hours. Most of the early SECOR satellites used eight commutated telemetry channels for housekeeping data: two for calibration, three for temperatures, and one each for battery voltage, input signal strength, and transponder output power. Later satellites used 16 channels. Telemetry transmission was a 136 MHz carrier phase modulated by a subcarrier voltage controlled oscillator with a center frequency of 730 Hz.
The solar power support subassembly provided mounting surfaces for the solar cells, which covered all the outer surfaces. There were 10 solar panels composed of a total of 1456 N-on-P solar cells. Each cell was protected by a 60 mil (0.15 cm) thick quartz cover and produced 405 millivolts at 60 milliamperes. Each panel was wired (series-parallel) to provide 17 volts. The wraparound subassembly supported the solar panel subassembly and the transponder ranging antennas. There were nine flexible hardened tempered steel tape antennas (1.27 x 0.023 cm), four for 224.5 MHz, four for 449 MHz, and one 136 MHz telemetry antenna. All were simple dipoles, silver plated with a teflon coating, and had numerous 1/8 in. (0.32 cm) holes to minimize the effect of the antenna shadows on the solar cells.
Satellite orientation was achieved by a magnetic stabilization system with a 0.5 x 3.5 inch (1.27 x 8.89 cm) bar magnet and damping rods. Spin-damping (to less than 1 rpm) was accomplished using shorted-coil magnetic despin rods.
SECOR 9 was launched along with an Aurora satellite on a Thor Burner II rocket from the Western Test Range at Vandenberg Air Force Base on 29 June 1967 at 21:01:44 UT. It was put into an initial 3794 x 3945 km altitude polar orbit with an inclination of 89.80 degrees and a period of 172.1 minutes. The orbit was nominal and the mission functioned as planned.
Experiments with the SECOR satellites led to Timation, and finally to the GPS Navstar system.
Image from Corliss, 1967
Launch Date: 1967-06-29
Launch Vehicle: Thor-Burner II
Launch Site: Vandenberg AFB, United States
Mass: 20 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Dr. David R. Williams
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