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Satcom 1R, 2R, 5, C1, C3, C4, C5 (Aurora 1, 2)

Satcom C5 [RCA]

Satcom 1R, 2R, 5, C1, C3, C4 and C5, also known as Advanced Satcom, were the second generation of geostationary comsats built for RCA Americom.

These satellites were built by RCA Astro using their three-axis stabilized AS-3000 bus. They featured a 24 C-band transponder communications payload, but with higer power than the first generation Satcom series. The antenna design was changed to a single reflector. Life time was increased to 10 years and later for the C satellites to 12 years.

This series was succeeded by the Satcom-K series.

Nation: USA
Type / Application: Communication
Operator: RCA Americom → GE Satcom
Contractors: RCA Astro
Equipment: 24 (+4) C-band transponders
Configuration: AS-3000
Propulsion: Star-30B (#1R, 2R, 5); Star-30BP (#C1), Star-30C (#C3, C4, C5)
Power: 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
Lifetime: 10 years (#5, 1R, 2R); 12 years (#C1, C3, C4, C5)
Mass: 1120 kg (#2R); 1169 kg (682 kg BOL) (#C)
Orbit: GEO
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
Satcom 1R 1983-030A 11.04.1983 CC LC-17B Delta-3924
Satcom 2R 1983-094A 08.09.1983 CC LC-17B Delta-3924
Satcom 5 (Aurora 1) 1982-105A 28.10.1982 CC LC-17B Delta-3924
Satcom C1 1990-100A 20.11.1990 Ko ELA-2 Ariane-42P H10 with GStar 4
Satcom C2 - cancelled
Satcom C3 1992-060B 10.09.1992 Ko ELA-2 Ariane-44LP H10+ with Hispasat 1A
Satcom C4 1992-057A 31.08.1992 CC LC-17B Delta-7925
Satcom C5 (Aurora 2) 1991-037A 29.05.1991 CC LC-17B Delta-7925

References:

  • Donald H. Martin: Communication Satellites, Aerospace Press, 1991, p 159-165
Further Satcom missions:
Further Aurora missions:

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