ATS-5 (original) (raw)


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ATS-5


Part of ATS


American communications technology satellite.

AKA: Applications Technology Satellite. Status: Operational 1969. First Launch: 1969-08-12. Last Launch: 1969-08-12. Number: 1 . Gross mass: 821 kg (1,809 lb). Height: 1.80 m (5.90 ft).

The experimental goals of ATS-5 included a demonstration using L-band signals to precisely locate ships, tests of an electric ion engine, evaluation of the attenuation effects on RF signals by rain, and C-band communications tests. However, following the firing of the satellite's apogee kick motor, ATS-5 went into an unplanned flat spin. The vehicle recovered and began spinning about the correct axis, but in the direction opposite that planned. As a result, the spacecraft's gravity gradient booms could not be deployed, and some experiments were not functional. The spacecraft was able to perform some of its experimental goals, and was finally boosted above geostationary orbit at the end of its mission.

The spacecraft had an aluminum structure, and drum mounted solar cells provided 150 W BOL and recharged 2 x 6 Ah NiCd batteries. N2 and N2H4 thrusters provided attitude control, yo-yo despin, and nutation control. The solar arrays were cooled by heat pipes. The spacecraft was originally planned as gravity gradient stabilized.

Payloads included a magnetometer, an ion engine (a 10^-5 lbf resistojet), a C-band communications package, a millimeter wave propagation experiment, and an L-band communications experiment.



Family: Communications technology sat, Geosynchronous orbit, Technology. Country: USA. Launch Vehicles: Atlas, Atlas SLV-3C Centaur. Projects: ATS. Launch Sites: Cape Canaveral, Cape Canaveral LC36A. Agency: NASA, NSF, Hughes. Bibliography: 2, 278, 279, 6.



1969 August 12 - . 11:01 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC36A. LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Atlas SLV-3C Centaur.



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