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Germantown

Organisation · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

American manufacturer. Germantown, Germantown, USA.

Related

Country
USA
Spacecraft
Orbcomm

Chronology

11 events

1997 April 21

11:59 GMT - . Launch Site: Gando. Launch Complex: Gran Canaria DZ. Launch Pad: 27.0 N x 15.3 W. Launch Platform: L-1011. LV Family: Pegasus. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus XL.
  • Celestis - . Payload: CPAC. Nation: USA. Agency: OSC. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Celestis. Class: Burial . Type: Burial satellite. Spacecraft: CPAC. Decay Date: 2002-05-21 . USAF Sat Cat: 24780 . COSPAR: 1997-018B. Apogee: 581 km (361 mi). Perigee: 553 km (343 mi). Inclination: 151.00 deg. Period: 96.00 min. Air dropped in Gran Canaria DZ..

1997 August 1

20:20 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Complex: Point Arguello WADZ. Launch Pad: Aircraft from Vandenberg.. Launch Platform: L-1011. LV Family: Pegasus. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus XL.
  • Orbview-2 - . Payload: Seastar. Nation: USA. Agency: Orbimage. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbview. Class: Surveillance. Type: Civilian surveillance satellite. Spacecraft Bus: PegaStar. Spacecraft: Orbview-2. USAF Sat Cat: 24883 . COSPAR: 1997-037A. Apogee: 708 km (439 mi). Perigee: 707 km (439 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.90 min. Air dropped in Point Arguello WADZ..

1997 December 23

19:11 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island DZ. Launch Pad: RW04/22. Launch Platform: L-1011. LV Family: Pegasus. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus XL/HAPS.
  • Orbcomm A1 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM5. Mass: 43 kg (94 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Microstar. USAF Sat Cat: 25112 . COSPAR: 1997-084A. Apogee: 823 km (511 mi). Perigee: 812 km (504 mi). Inclination: 45.03 deg. Period: 101.26 min. Plane A. Ascending node 297.7 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm A7 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM11. Mass: 43 kg (94 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Microstar. USAF Sat Cat: 25118 . COSPAR: 1997-084G. Apogee: 823 km (511 mi). Perigee: 813 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.02 deg. Period: 101.26 min. Plane A. Ascending node 301.2 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm A8 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM12. Mass: 43 kg (94 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Microstar. USAF Sat Cat: 25119 . COSPAR: 1997-084H. Apogee: 823 km (511 mi). Perigee: 812 km (504 mi). Inclination: 45.02 deg. Period: 101.26 min. Plane A. Ascending node 301.2 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm A6 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM10. Mass: 43 kg (94 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Microstar. USAF Sat Cat: 25117 . COSPAR: 1997-084F. Apogee: 823 km (511 mi). Perigee: 812 km (504 mi). Inclination: 45.02 deg. Period: 101.26 min. Plane A. Ascending node 301.2 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm A4 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM8. Mass: 43 kg (94 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Microstar. USAF Sat Cat: 25115 . COSPAR: 1997-084D. Apogee: 823 km (511 mi). Perigee: 813 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.02 deg. Period: 101.26 min. Plane A. Ascending node 300.5 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm A3 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM7. Mass: 43 kg (94 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Microstar. USAF Sat Cat: 25114 . COSPAR: 1997-084C. Apogee: 822 km (510 mi). Perigee: 813 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.03 deg. Period: 101.26 min. Plane A. Ascending node 301 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm A2 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM6. Mass: 43 kg (94 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Microstar. USAF Sat Cat: 25113 . COSPAR: 1997-084B. Apogee: 822 km (510 mi). Perigee: 813 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.03 deg. Period: 101.26 min. Plane A. Ascending node 300.7 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm A5 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM9. Mass: 43 kg (94 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Microstar. USAF Sat Cat: 25116 . COSPAR: 1997-084E. Apogee: 822 km (510 mi). Perigee: 814 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.02 deg. Period: 101.26 min. Plane A. Ascending node 301 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..

1998 February 10

13:20 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg 576E. LV Family: Taurus. Launch Vehicle: Taurus 2210.
  • Orbcomm G1 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM3. Mass: 43 kg (94 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Microstar. USAF Sat Cat: 25158 . COSPAR: 1998-007B. Apogee: 874 km (543 mi). Perigee: 781 km (485 mi). Inclination: 107.99 deg. Period: 101.46 min. Plane G. Ascending node 297.9 degrees..
  • Orbcomm G2 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM4. Mass: 43 kg (94 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Microstar. USAF Sat Cat: 25159 . COSPAR: 1998-007C. Apogee: 871 km (541 mi). Perigee: 783 km (486 mi). Inclination: 107.99 deg. Period: 101.45 min. Plane G. Ascending node 298.1 degrees..
  • Celestis-02 - . Payload: Celestis-02/Orion 38. Nation: USA. Agency: OSC. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Celestis. Class: Burial . Type: Burial satellite. Spacecraft Bus: Pegasus-3. Spacecraft: Celestis. USAF Sat Cat: 25160 . COSPAR: 1998-007D. Apogee: 876 km (544 mi). Perigee: 780 km (480 mi). Inclination: 108.00 deg. Period: 101.50 min.

1998 February 26

07:07 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Complex: Point Arguello WADZ. Launch Pad: Aircraft from Vandenberg.. Launch Platform: L-1011. LV Family: Pegasus. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus XL.
  • Teledesic 1 - . Payload: BATSAT. Nation: USA. Agency: Teledesic. Manufacturer: Germantown. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Teledesic. Decay Date: 2000-10-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 25234 . COSPAR: 1998-012B. Apogee: 577 km (358 mi). Perigee: 532 km (330 mi). Inclination: 97.70 deg. Period: 95.70 min. Communications Technology Demonstrator. Air dropped in Point Arguello WADZ..

1998 August 2

16:24 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island DZ. Launch Pad: RW04/22. Launch Platform: L-1011. LV Family: Pegasus. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus XL/HAPS.
  • Orbcomm B5 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM17. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25413 . COSPAR: 1998-046A. Apogee: 824 km (512 mi). Perigee: 813 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 101.28 min. Plane B. Ascending node 61 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm B2 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM14. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25419 . COSPAR: 1998-046G. Apogee: 826 km (513 mi). Perigee: 811 km (503 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 101.28 min. Plane B. Ascending node 60.4 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm B3 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM15. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25418 . COSPAR: 1998-046F. Apogee: 825 km (512 mi). Perigee: 812 km (504 mi). Inclination: 45.01 deg. Period: 101.28 min. Plane B. Ascending node 60 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm B1 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM13. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25420 . COSPAR: 1998-046H. Apogee: 824 km (512 mi). Perigee: 813 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 101.27 min. Plane B. Ascending node 60.4 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm B8 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM20. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25416 . COSPAR: 1998-046D. Apogee: 826 km (513 mi). Perigee: 811 km (503 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 101.28 min. Plane B. Ascending node 61.2 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm B7 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM19. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25415 . COSPAR: 1998-046C. Apogee: 828 km (514 mi). Perigee: 809 km (502 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 101.28 min. Plane B. Ascending node 61.1 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm B6 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM18. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25414 . COSPAR: 1998-046B. Apogee: 827 km (513 mi). Perigee: 810 km (500 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 101.28 min. Plane B. Ascending node 59.7 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm B4 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM16. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25417 . COSPAR: 1998-046E. Apogee: 825 km (512 mi). Perigee: 812 km (504 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 101.28 min. Plane B. Ascending node 59.9 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..

1998 September 23

05:06 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island DZ. Launch Pad: RW04/22. Launch Platform: L-1011. LV Family: Pegasus. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus XL/HAPS.
  • Orbcomm C1 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM21. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25475 . COSPAR: 1998-053A. Apogee: 825 km (512 mi). Perigee: 811 km (503 mi). Inclination: 45.01 deg. Period: 101.27 min. Plane C. Ascending node 181.6 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm C7 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM27. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25481 . COSPAR: 1998-053G. Apogee: 823 km (511 mi). Perigee: 813 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.02 deg. Period: 101.27 min. Plane C. Ascending node 181.6 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm C8 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM28. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25482 . COSPAR: 1998-053H. Apogee: 824 km (512 mi). Perigee: 813 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.03 deg. Period: 101.27 min. Plane C. Ascending node 181.7 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm C6 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM26. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25480 . COSPAR: 1998-053F. Apogee: 825 km (512 mi). Perigee: 811 km (503 mi). Inclination: 45.01 deg. Period: 101.27 min. Plane C. Ascending node 181.5 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm C5 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM25. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25479 . COSPAR: 1998-053E. Apogee: 824 km (512 mi). Perigee: 813 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.01 deg. Period: 101.27 min. Plane C. Ascending node 181.5 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm C3 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM23. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25477 . COSPAR: 1998-053C. Apogee: 823 km (511 mi). Perigee: 813 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.02 deg. Period: 101.27 min. Plane C. Ascending node 181.8 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm C2 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM22. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25476 . COSPAR: 1998-053B. Apogee: 823 km (511 mi). Perigee: 814 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.02 deg. Period: 101.27 min. Plane C. Ascending node 178 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm C4 - . Payload: Orbcomm s/n FM24. Mass: 22 kg (48 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25478 . COSPAR: 1998-053D. Apogee: 822 km (510 mi). Perigee: 814 km (505 mi). Inclination: 45.01 deg. Period: 101.27 min. Plane C. Ascending node 181.7 degrees. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..

1999 May 18

05:09 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Complex: Point Arguello WADZ. Launch Pad: Aircraft from Vandenberg.. Launch Platform: L-1011. LV Family: Pegasus. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus XL/HAPS.
  • MUBLCOM - . Mass: 43 kg (94 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Manufacturer: Germantown. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Microstar. USAF Sat Cat: 25736 . COSPAR: 1999-026B. Apogee: 745 km (462 mi). Perigee: 738 km (458 mi). Inclination: 97.70 deg. Period: 99.70 min.

    After deploying the TERRIERS satellite, the conical Payload Adapter Fitting (1998-26E) was jettisoned at 05:21 GMT, leaving the disk-shaped MUBLCOM satellite attached to the Pegasus XL PRIMEX HAPS-Lite stage. The second HAPS burn at 05:22 GMT raised apogee to 775 km, followed by a third, apogee burn at 06:10 GMT which circularised the orbit. MUBLCOM was deployed to a 769 km x 776 km x 97.7 degree orbit. The final HAPS burn then placed the depleted HAPS stage in a lower 388 km x 722 km x 97.1 degree disposal orbit. MUBLCOM (Multiple beam Beyond Line-of-sight Communications) was an experimental satellite funded by DARPA and managed by the US Army's Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) at Ft Monmouth, New Jersey. It was built by Orbital Sciences using the Microstar (Orbcomm type) bus and carries a payload testing hand-held radio satellite communications for the armed forces.

    Six years later MUBLCOM was the target for the DART Autonomous Rendezvous Technology mission. On April 16, 2005, DART closed within 100 m of MUBLCOM satellite, then evidently began a series of out-of-control maneuvers resulting in an in-space collission and MUBLCOM being bumped into a 3 to 5 km higher orbit. DART was deorbited while MUBLCOM, still functioned, continued on in space. Air dropped in Point Arguello WADZ.

1999 June 24

15:44 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. Launch Pad: SLC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Delta 7320-10.
  • FUSE - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Greenbelt. Manufacturer: Germantown. Class: Astronomy. Type: X-ray astronomy satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MidStar. Spacecraft: FUSE. USAF Sat Cat: 25791 . COSPAR: 1999-035A. Apogee: 760 km (470 mi). Perigee: 745 km (462 mi). Inclination: 25.00 deg. Period: 99.90 min.

    The Delta 3-m payload fairing was successfully jettisoned and the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer was placed in a 754 km x 769 km x 25.0 degree initial orbit. After separation the Delta second stage then a depletion burn and was left in a 182 x 915 km x 19.1 degree orbit from which it would quickly decay out of orbit. Checkout of FUSE in orbit was proceeding well as of July 1.

1999 December 4

18:53 GMT - . Launch Site: Wallops Island. Launch Complex: Wallops Island DZ. Launch Pad: RW04/22. Launch Platform: L-1011. LV Family: Pegasus. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus XL/HAPS.
  • Orbcomm FM30 - . Mass: 45 kg (99 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25980 . COSPAR: 1999-065A. Apogee: 798 km (495 mi). Perigee: 790 km (490 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min. Seven Orbcomms launched, rather than eight as on previous flights. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm FM32 - . Mass: 45 kg (99 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25982 . COSPAR: 1999-065C. Apogee: 798 km (495 mi). Perigee: 788 km (489 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm FM36 - . Mass: 45 kg (99 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25986 . COSPAR: 1999-065G. Apogee: 797 km (495 mi). Perigee: 790 km (490 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm FM35 - . Mass: 45 kg (99 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25985 . COSPAR: 1999-065F. Apogee: 797 km (495 mi). Perigee: 791 km (491 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm FM33 - . Mass: 45 kg (99 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25983 . COSPAR: 1999-065D. Apogee: 793 km (492 mi). Perigee: 780 km (480 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 100.60 min. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm FM31 - . Mass: 45 kg (99 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25981 . COSPAR: 1999-065B. Apogee: 798 km (495 mi). Perigee: 790 km (490 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..
  • Orbcomm FM34 - . Mass: 45 kg (99 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: Orbcomm. Manufacturer: Germantown. Program: Orbcomm. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft Bus: MicroStar. Spacecraft: Orbcomm. USAF Sat Cat: 25984 . COSPAR: 1999-065E. Apogee: 795 km (493 mi). Perigee: 792 km (492 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 100.70 min. Air dropped in Wallops Island DZ..

1999 December 21

07:13 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg 576E. LV Family: Taurus. Launch Vehicle: Taurus 2110.
  • ACRIMSAT - . Mass: 115 kg (253 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: JPL, NASA. Manufacturer: Germantown. Class: Earth. Type: Seismology satellite. Spacecraft Bus: GemStar. Spacecraft: ACRIMSAT . USAF Sat Cat: 26033 . COSPAR: 1999-070B. Apogee: 711 km (441 mi). Perigee: 671 km (416 mi). Inclination: 97.80 deg. Period: 98.60 min.

    Measured the integrated solar energy output from 0.2 to 2 microns. Carried instrument deleted from Terra spacecraft, studying the total solar output. Failed on 2013 December 14 due to battery problems, months after a review recommended its continued operation. The ACRIM series of experiments, critical data for climate change studies, flew on Solar Max (1980), Spacelab-1 (1983), UARS (1991), and ACRIMSAT. The similar TIM instrument on the SORCE satellite (2003) continued operating, but it was unclear if it would continue in operation until a replacement instrument would be launched on the JPSS satellite in 2017 at the earliest.