NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1977-118A
The Japanese Medium-Capacity Communications Satellite for Experimental Purposes (CS) was an experimental communications satellite. It consisted of a 90 rpm, spin-stabilized cylinder with its curved surface covered with solar cells. The cylinder height was 2.18 m with the antenna extending another 1.31 m along the axis. The spin axis was perpendicular to the orbit (earth's equatorial) plane, but the K- and C-band antenna was despun with a pointing accuracy of better than 0.3 deg. This small, disk antenna was mounted on the end of the cylinder and was oriented at an angle of about 45 deg to the spin axis. The satellite had a designed lifetime of 3 years on location near 135 deg e. Experiments used 2.1, 2.3, 4, 6, 20, and 30 gHz frequencies for telephone and TV. Experiments studied equipment characteristics, signal transmissions, propagation characteristics, communcations system operation, and spacecraft control/operation. Joint experiments with the ECS satellite in Feb. 1979 was one of the objectives.
Launch Date: 1977-12-15
Launch Vehicle: Delta
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral, United States
Mass: 664.17 kg
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
---|---|---|---|
Mr. Robert J. Goss | Project Manager | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center |