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TDRS-11

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TDRS-11
TDRS-K before launch
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID2013-004A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.39070
Mission durationPlanned: 15 years
Elapsed: 11 years, 9 months, 21 days
Spacecraft properties
BusBSS-601HP
ManufacturerBoeing
Launch mass3,454 kilograms (7,615 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date31 January 2013, 01:48 (2013-01-31UTC01:48) UTC[2]
RocketAtlas V 401 AV-036
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-41
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeosynchronous orbit
Perigee altitude35,755 kilometers (22,217 mi)[3]
Apogee altitude35,826 kilometers (22,261 mi)[3]
Inclination6.39 degrees[3]
Period1436.00 minutes[3]
Epoch20 January 2015, 13:09:06 UTC[3]

TDRS-11, known before launch as TDRS-K, is an American communications satellite which is operated by NASA as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. The eleventh Tracking and Data Relay Satellite is the first third-generation spacecraft.[4]

TDRS-11 was constructed by Boeing, and is based on the BSS-601HP satellite bus. Fully fuelled, it has a mass of 3,454 kilograms (7,615 lb), and is expected to operate for 15 years.[1] It carries two steerable antennas capable of providing S, Ku and Ka band communications for other spacecraft, plus an array of additional S-band transponders to allow communications at a lower data rate with greater numbers of spacecraft.[4]

TDRS-11 was launched at 01:48 UTC on 31 January 2013, at the beginning of a 40-minute launch window. United Launch Alliance performed the launch using an Atlas V carrier rocket, tail number AV-036, flying in the 401 configuration.[5] Liftoff occurred from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and the rocket placed its payload into a geostationary transfer orbit.

Following its arrival in geosynchronous orbit, the satellite underwent on-orbit testing. It was handed over to NASA in August 2013, receiving its operational designation TDRS-11. After its arrival on-station at 171 degrees west the satellite began its final phase of testing prior to entry into service at the end of November.[6] As of May 2020, it was positioned at 174 degrees west.[7]

Location of TDRS as of 22 May 2020
Location of TDRS as of March 2019

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Krebs, Gunter. "TDRS K, L, M". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  2. ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e "TDRS 11 Satellite details 2013-004A NORAD 39070". N2YO. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  4. ^ a b "TDRS-K Media Kit" (PDF). NASA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  5. ^ "TDRS-K Atlas V Mission Overview" (PDF). United Launch Alliance. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  6. ^ "Updates on the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) Fleet". NASA. 22 October 2013. Archived from the original on 20 January 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  7. ^ "Celestrak TLE for TDRS satellites". Celestrak.org. Retrieved November 5, 2022.