TV-Sat 1, 2

TV-Sat 1 [Telekom]

Like the French TDF, TV-Sat satellites are based on the Aerospatiale Spacebus 300 plattorm and were created by the Eurosatellite consortium of Aerospatiale and Messerschmitt-Broelkow-Blohm (MBB). The technical specifications of TV-Sat are also virtually identical with those of TDF, and both satellites share the same geostationary locale near 19 degrees W. MBB was responsible for the attitude and orbit control systems on both TDF and TV-Sat using the S400 and S10 engines.

TV-Sat 1 was launched on 21 November 1987 but the failure of one solar panel to deploy severely curtailed operations, and the spacecraft was placed in a graveyard orbit in 1989. TV-Sat 2 followed on 8 August 1989 and is currently on station at 19.2 degrees W. No further launches in this series are planned