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GLOMR (S85-6)
GLOMR [DARPA]
GLOMR (Global Low Orbiting Message Relay), was a DARPA mission designed to demonstrate the ability to read out, store, and forward data from remote ground-based sensors.
The spacecraft was built by Defense Systems Inc. (DSI) and Riockwell and conssited of a small, 62-sided polyhedron without stabilisation. Design included redundant transmitters, receivers, batteries, and battery charge control systems. It had two CMOS microprocessors - one for communications control, the other for scheduling, mass memory, housekeeping, and mission control, telemetry, and command functions.
The satellite was first scheduled for deployment from Shuttle mission STS-51B, but a battery problem forced a return to Earth for repair. Reflown and deployed from Shuttle mission STS-61A, the vehicle finally re-entered after 14 months. The total price was less than 1 million dollars.
An improved version was launched as SECS (TERCEL).
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Experimental communication |
| Operator: | DARPA, USAF STP (Space Test Program) |
| Contractors: | DSI, Rockwell |
| Equipment: | 2 UHF transponders digital store and forward communications system |
| Configuration: | GLOMR Bus (62-sided polyhedron, unstabilized, body mounted solar cells) |
| Propulsion: | None |
| Power: | Solar cells, batteries |
| Lifetime: | 14 months |
| Mass: | 52 kg |
| Orbit: | 317 km × 332 km, 57.0° |
| Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLOMR (1) (S85-6) | N/A | 29.04.1985 | CCK LC-39A | ND | Shuttle | with Challenger F7 (STS 51-B), Nusat / not deployed |
| GLOMR 1 (S85-6) | 1985-104B | 30.10.1985 | CCK LC-39A | Shuttle | with Challenger F9 (STS 61-A) |
Further GLOMR missions:
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Further STP missions:
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