GeoLITE
GeoLITE | |
---|---|
Type: | Experimental satellite |
Country: | United States |
Operator: | NGO |
COSPAR-ID : | 2001-020A |
Mission dates | |
Dimensions: | approx. 1800 kg |
Begin: | May 18, 2001, 5:45 pm UTC |
Starting place: | CCAFS , LC-17B |
Launcher: | Delta II 7925 |
Orbit data | |
Rotation time : | approx. 24 h |
Orbit inclination : | 7.2 ° |
Perigee height : | 36,000 km |
GeoLITE (Geosynchronous Lightweight Technology Experiment, also known as NROL-17 and USA-158 ) is an experimental communications satellite operated by the NRO (National Reconnaissance Office).
technology
GeoLITE is the first satellite based on the TRW T-310 satellite bus , a new, lightweight and highly stable platform suitable for various missions. The satellite was developed and built within 3.5 years. TRW is responsible for the system integration of GeoLITE, including the development and preparation of the satellite. The largest experiment on board is the LSSER, which tests communication in the laser and UHF range.
The LSSER communication experiments consist of:
- GeoLITE Laster Terminal (GLT): Provides the NRO with information about geosynchronous orbit-orbit communication under different atmospheric conditions. It helps refine models and systems to reduce cost, risk, and schedule for future Lasercom systems.
- GLOM Radiometer Payload : To measure the variations in intensity and polarization of the laser beams transmitted from Earth to the GeoLITE satellite.
The UHF payload was part of the IBS-S (Integrated Broadcast Service - Simplex) intelligence data distribution, which replaced the older military satellite communications (MILSATCOM). Other IPS-S payloads were flown for various missions to provide geostationary and polar coverage.
history
The satellite was ordered from TRW in 1997. He was on 18 May 2001 aboard a Delta II - launch vehicle from Cape Canaveral into a geostationary transfer orbit started. Shortly after, it entered geostationary orbit .
swell
- GeoLITE at Gunter's Space Page (English).
- USA 158 at N2YO (English).
- USA 158 in the NSSDCA Master Catalog (English)