SDS-2
Spacecraft · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
American military communications satellite. Comsat / Relay satellite built by Hughes for USAF, USA. Launched 1989 - 1996. Used the HS-386 bus.
Replacement for the SDS satellites, which from Molniya-type orbits, provided data relay services for optical reconnaissance and other military spacecraft. They were launched by the Shuttle/IUS or by the Titan IV, which implies a satellite mass of around 6000 kg, compared to only 700 kg for the earlier SDS satellites. They therefore probably included other reconnaissance payloads as well (signals intelligence, early warning, weather monitoring, etc).
More at: SDS-2.
Related
- Country
- USA
- Launch Vehicles
- Titan, Space Shuttle, Titan 4, Titan 405A, Titan 403A, Atlas IIAS
- Launch Sites
- Cape Canaveral, Vandenberg, Vandenberg SLC4E, Cape Canaveral LC40, Cape Canaveral LC39A, Cape Canaveral LC39B
- Agency
- USAF
Chronology
1 event
1996 May 12
21:32 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC4E. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan 403A.- USA 119 - . Payload: SDS B-2. Mass: 6,300 kg (13,800 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRL, NRO. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: HS 381 / HS 386. Spacecraft: SDS-2. USAF Sat Cat: 23893 . COSPAR: 1996-029A. Apogee: 1,165 km (723 mi). Perigee: 1,051 km (653 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.44 min. Unknown orbit.