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FLTSATCOM

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Fltsatcom Credit: USAF

AKA: Fleet Satellite Communications. Status: Operational 1978. First Launch: 1978-02-09. Last Launch: 1989-09-25. Number: 8 . Gross mass: 2,032 kg (4,479 lb). Height: 1.30 m (4.20 ft).

The FLTSATCOM system provided world-wide, high-priority UHF communications between naval aircraft, ships, submarines, and ground stations and between the Strategic Air Command and the national command authority network. Fully operational in January 1981, the FLTSATCOM constellation was replaced by the UFO (UHF Follow-on) spacecraft.

The 3-axis stabilized satellite was powered by two solar arrays (13.2 m across) that generated over 1400 W. Three hexagonal modules with aluminum structure made up the bus. A hydrazine propulsion system was used for stationkeeping (120 kg fuel).

The payload consisted of twelve transponders with UHF/SHF uplink and UHF downlink. The large 4.9 meter diameter UHF receive antenna was made of silver-filled mesh. There was an offset mast UHF transmit antenna. Flights 6 and 7 carried experimental EHF transponder (20 W) to evaluate new ground terminals.

Photo Gallery

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Fltsatcom 1 Credit: Manufacturer Image

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Fltsatcom 6 Credit: Manufacturer Image

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• MILSATCOM made a part of FLTSATCOM. - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM.

  The submission of a development concept paper (DCP) for a Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) system to be developed by SAMSO was halted at Headquarters USAF. Seamans, Under Secretary John L. McLucas, and Deputy Secretary of Defense David Packard. It was agreed that the Navy's proposed tactical satellite communications system, the Fleet Satellite Communications Satellite (FLTSATCOM), would be developed with some channels set aside for Air Force use.

• Fleet Satellite Communications (FLTSATCOM) system concept paper. - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM.

  Deputy Defense Secretary David Packard approved the development concept paper (DCP) for the acquisition of the Navy's proposed Fleet Satellite Communications (FLTSATCOM) system. The spaceborne segment of this global (less polar) ultra-high frequency (UHF) communications system would be developed for the Navy by SAMSO's Deputy for Space Communications Systems. In addition, the DCP approved the acquisition of UHF airborne and ground terminals for Air Force use with the FLTSATCOM and other selected satellite systems. Upon completion, this program, the Air Force Satellite Communications System (AFSATCOM), would provide the Air Force with a communications system for high priority Air Force requirements.

• FLTSATCOM memorandum of agreement. - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM. A memorandum of agreement was signed by HQ SAMSO and TRW putting a ceiling of $54.2 million on the government's financial obligation under the Fleet Satellite Communications (FLTSATCOM) development..

• Approval was given for the production of the second FLTSATCOM flight model F-2. - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM.

• FLTSATCOM program - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM. The DSARC III review was held for the FLTSATCOM program. It approved procurement of a third spacecraft in FY 1977..

• AFSATCOM terminal/ FLTSATCOM satellite compatibility test. - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM. TRW Systems Group, contractor for the FLTSATCOM satellites, conducted an AFSATCOM terminal/ FLTSATCOM satellite compatibility test. All test objectives were met..

• FLTSATCOM space segment audit - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM. The Navy began an audit of the financial management of the FLTSATCOM space segment. The audit was completed in March..

• Third FLTSATCOM satellite ordered. - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM. SAMSO ordered a third FLTSATCOM satellite from TRW Systems Group. The satellite was ordered through a supplemental agreement attached to the original FLTSATCOM production contract..

• First flight model of the FLTSATCOM satellite completed. - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM. TRW Systems Group finished integrating the first flight model of the FLTSATCOM satellite. The satellite went through acceptance testing from April to November..

• Development phase of the FLTSATCOM program completed. - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM. TRW Systems Group finished testing the qualification model of the FLTSATCOM satellite. This brought the development phase of the FLTSATCOM program to an end..

• The first flight model of the FLTSATCOM satellite was shipped to Cape Canaveral. - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM. The first flight model of the FLTSATCOM satellite was shipped to Cape Canaveral..

• Fltsatcom 1 - . Mass: 1,884 kg (4,153 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Fltsatcom. USAF Sat Cat: 10669 . COSPAR: 1978-016A. Apogee: 36,170 km (22,470 mi). Perigee: 36,119 km (22,443 mi). Inclination: 14.60 deg. Period: 1,454.40 min.

  An Atlas booster was launched from Cape Canaveral carrying the first FLTSATCOM satellite. The launch was successful, and the satellite functioned normally once in orbit. It was declared operational on 4 April. Fleet Satellite Communications. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Americas at 100 deg W in 1978-1987; over the Pacific Ocean 177 deg W in 1987-1992; over the Atlantic Ocean 15 deg W in 1992-1996;over the Indian Ocean 72 deg E in 1996-2001. Last known longitude (26 July 1999) 71.17 deg E drifting at 0.004 deg W per day.

• A fire occurred in the FLTSATCOM assembly area of the TRW facility in Redondo Beach, California. - . Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM. Many pieces of FLTSATCOM hardware were damaged by soot and smoke, and some suffered water damage. The fire caused a two-month delay in the testing of the second FLTSATCOM satellite and a four-month delay in the integration of the third satellite..

• Fltsatcom 2 - . Mass: 1,884 kg (4,153 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Fltsatcom. Completed Operations Date: 1992-02-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 11353 . COSPAR: 1979-038A. Apogee: 36,331 km (22,574 mi). Perigee: 36,227 km (22,510 mi). Inclination: 13.50 deg. Period: 1,461.30 min.

  The second FLTSATCOM satellite was successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on board an Atlas/Centaur booster. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 23 deg W in 1979-1980; 72 deg E in 1980-1992 As of 5 September 2001 located at 90.48 deg W drifting at 6.234 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 12.01W drifting at 6.223W degrees per day.

• Fltsatcom 3 - . Mass: 1,884 kg (4,153 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Fltsatcom. Completed Operations Date: 1991-01-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 11669 . COSPAR: 1980-004A. Apogee: 35,851 km (22,276 mi). Perigee: 35,669 km (22,163 mi). Inclination: 9.10 deg. Period: 1,434.80 min.

  Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 22 deg W in 1980-1990 As of 28 August 2001 located at 174.83 deg W drifting at 0.082 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 84.20W drifting at 0.376E degrees per day.

• Fltsatcom 4 - . Mass: 1,800 kg (3,900 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Fltsatcom. USAF Sat Cat: 12046 . COSPAR: 1980-087A. Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Perigee: 35,769 km (22,225 mi). Inclination: 9.20 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 171 deg E from 1981. Last known longitude (25 July 1999) 172.61 deg E drifting at 0.001 deg W per day.

• FLTSATCOM constellation declared operational - . Nation: USA. Spacecraft: FLTSATCOM. The FLTSATCOM system provided world-wide, high-priority UHF communications between naval aircraft, ships, submarines, and ground stations and between the Strategic Air Command and the national command authority network..

• Fltsatcom 5 - . Mass: 1,884 kg (4,153 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Fltsatcom. Completed Operations Date: 1986-07-12 . USAF Sat Cat: 12635 . COSPAR: 1981-073A. Apogee: 36,300 km (22,500 mi). Perigee: 36,221 km (22,506 mi). Inclination: 8.90 deg. Period: 1,460.40 min.

  Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit. The Atlas G Centaur delivered a badly damaged but operating FLTSATCOM spacecraft to its correct orbit. Investigation showed that the most likely cause was failure of the fiberglass fairing during ascent. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 90 deg W in 1981; 90-114 deg W in 1982; 44 deg W in 1982-1986 As of 5 September 2001 located at 140.32 deg W drifting at 6.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 31.85E drifting at 6.002W degrees per day.

• USA 20 - . Payload: Fltsatcom 7. Mass: 2,310 kg (5,090 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Fltsatcom. USAF Sat Cat: 17181 . COSPAR: 1986-096A. Apogee: 35,832 km (22,264 mi). Perigee: 35,740 km (22,200 mi). Inclination: 0.90 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 100 deg W in 1987-1999 Last known longitude (27 July 1999) 100.33 deg W drifting at 0.027 deg W per day.

• Fltsatcom 6 - . Payload: Fltsatcom 6. Mass: 2,300 kg (5,000 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Fltsatcom. Decay Date: 1987-03-26 .

• USA 46 - . Payload: Fltsatcom 8. Mass: 2,310 kg (5,090 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Class: Communications. Type: Military communications satellite. Spacecraft: Fltsatcom. USAF Sat Cat: 20253 . COSPAR: 1989-077A. Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 4.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min.

  Last in series of 8. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 23 deg W in 1989-1999.