GeoLITE

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GeoLITE
GeoLITE
Type: Experimental satellite
Country: United StatesUnited States 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 .

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