SCORE
SCORE [GDK]
SCORE (Signal Communication Orbit Relay Experiment) was the first communication satellite ever.
The payload consisted of a redundant pair of battery-powered, vacuum tube-based UHF communication packages with a nominal design life of 21 days attached to the Atlas sustainer stage. Each package contained its own tape recorder.
SCORE demonstrated both 'Store and Forward' and direct communications with ground stations (therefore earning the nickname 'Talking Atlas'). The batteries failed after 13 days in orbit.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Experimental communication |
| Operator: | USAF |
| Contractors: | U.S. Army Signal Research and Development Laboratory (SRDL) |
| Equipment: | UHF transmitter, 2 tape recorders |
| Configuration: | Atlas body with communication equipment |
| Propulsion: | none (after reaching orbit) |
| Power: | Batteries |
| Lifetime: | 21 days |
| Mass: | 3970 kg (total), 68 kg (payload only) |
| Orbit: | 185 km × 1484 km, 32.3° |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCORE | 18.12.1958 | CC LC-11 | Atlas-B (mod.) |
References:
- Deane Davis: The Talking Satellite: A reminescence of project SCORE, JBIS Vol. 52 No. 7/8, Jul/Aug 99
- Donald Martin, Paul Anderson, Lucy Bartamian: The History of Satellites – Chapter 1: Experimental Satellites.
- US Army Communications and Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth: PROJECT SCORE
