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TDRS 1 (13969)
COSPAR: 1983-026B | Alt Name: TDRS 1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 4, 1983
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39A
Launch Vehicle
Space Shuttle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
13969
International Designator
1983-026B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:48:10 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
8.65°
Right Ascension
320.39°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
265.40°
Period
1458.36 min
Mean Motion
0.99 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
TDRS 1
Alternative Name
TDRS 1
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 13969U 83026B 26184.95012104 .00000058 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 13969 8.6463 320.3884 0019797 265.3972 104.0896 0.98741256130534
Source: Celestrak
Summary
TDRS 1 was a communication and data relay satellite launched by NASA on April 4, 1983, from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad LC39A using the Space Shuttle as its launch vehicle. The spacecraft measured 1.3 meters in length, had a diameter of 2.4 meters, and spanned 17.4 meters with its deployed components. It had a launch mass of 2263 kilograms and was designed for a ten-year lifetime. TDRS 1 was equipped with deployable solar arrays and batteries to power various communication systems, including multiple Ku-band and S-band transmitters used for both linearly polarized zone coverage and circularly polarized spot coverage, as well as intersatellite links. The satellite's shape consisted of a box structure plus a dish and two panels. It was manufactured by TRW and operated under the ownership of GSFC, providing essential communication services for space missions and data relay operations.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.3
Diameter
2.4
Span
17.4
Dry Mass
1673
Launch Mass
2263
Shape
Box + Dish + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
22.1577
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
TDRS A
Purpose
Communication, data relay
Mission
Communication, data relay
Manufacturer
TRW
Life Expectancy
10 years (design)
Bus
TDRS
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
AOCS
Equipment
4 (+2) 25W Ku-band TWTAs for LP (linearly polarized) zone coverage 2 (+2) 1.5W Ku-band TWTAs for CP (circularly polarized) spot coverage 2 (+4) 25W Ku-band TWTAs for LP zone coverage 2 (+2) 1.5W Ku-band TWTAs for CP spot coverage 12 5W TWTAs for LP C-Band up/down 2 (+2) 26W S-band SSPAs (used for intersatellite links) 8 (+4) 3.5W S-band SSPAs (used for intersatellite links)
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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