TDRS 8 (26388)

COSPAR: 2000-034A | Alt Name: TDRS 8

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

June 30, 2000

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

SLC36A

Launch Vehicle

Atlas IIA

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

26388

International Designator

2000-034A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:18:45 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

12.71°

Right Ascension

31.18°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

28.05°

Period

1436.06 min

Mean Motion

1.00 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 8

Alternative Name

TDRS 8

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

GSFC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 26388U 00034A   26185.09635831 -.00000189  00000-0  00000-0 0  9990

2 26388  12.7098  31.1772 0004504  28.0509 342.3755  1.00274464 95353

Source: Celestrak

Summary

TDRS 8, also known as TDRS H, is a satellite launched on June 30, 2000, from SLC36A at AFETR using an Atlas IIA launch vehicle. It serves the purpose of communication and data relay for the GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center). The satellite, manufactured by HSES (Hughes Space and Communications), has a configuration based on HS-601/BSS-601 bus technology with dimensions of 8.4 meters in length, 3.4 meters in diameter, and spans 21 meters due to its solar arrays. It had a launch mass of 3180 kilograms and a dry mass of 1600 kilograms. TDRS 8 uses two deployable solar arrays for power generation alongside batteries. The satellite's shape is characterized as Box + 2 Pan + 2 Dish, indicating its main body along with two panels and dishes, likely for communication purposes. Its motor type is R-4D-11-300, contributing to its operational capabilities in space. With a planned lifetime of 11 years, TDRS 8 plays a significant role in satellite-based communication and data relay operations.

Physical Characteristics

Length

8.4

Diameter

3.4

Span

Dry Mass

1600

Launch Mass

3180

Shape

Box + 2 Pan + 2 Dish

Radar Cross Section

26.766

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

TDRS H

Purpose

Communication, data relay

Mission

Communication, data relay

Manufacturer

HSES

Life Expectancy

11 years

Bus

HS-601

Configuration

HS-601 / BSS-601

Motor

R-4D-11-300

Equipment

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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Longitude

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