TDRS-8
{{Short description|American communications satellite}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2014}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = TDRS-8
| image = TDRS-H at KSC.jpg
| image_caption = TDRS-H undergoing processing before launch
| insignia = TDRS H Logo.png
| mission_type = Communication
| operator = NASA
| COSPAR_ID = 2000-034A
| SATCAT = 26388
| mission_duration = Planned: 11 years
Elapsed: {{time interval|30 June 2000 12:56|show=ymd|sep=,}}
| spacecraft_bus = BSS-601
| manufacturer = Boeing
| dry_mass =
| launch_mass = 3197 kg
| dimensions = 21.0 metres long
13.1 metres wide
| power = 2300 watts
| launch_date = {{start-date|30 June 2000, 12:56:00}} UTC
| launch_rocket = Atlas IIA
| launch_site = Cape Canaveral, LC-36A
| launch_contractor = ILS
| entered_service =
| disposal_type =
| deactivated =
| orbit_epoch = 1 July 2000
| orbit_reference = Geocentric orbit
| orbit_regime = Geostationary orbit
| orbit_longitude = 171.0° West (2000-?)
270.8° West
| orbit_slot =
| apsis = gee
| trans_band =
| trans_frequency =
| trans_bandwidth =
| trans_capacity =
| trans_coverage =
| trans_TWTA =
| trans_EIRP =
| trans_HPBW =
}}
TDRS-8, known before launch as TDRS-H, is an American communications satellite, of second generation, which is operated by NASA as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. It was constructed by Boeing and is based on the BSS-601 satellite bus.
Launch
Its launch was contracted by International Launch Services, using an Atlas IIA launch vehicle. The launch occurred on 30 June 2000, at 12:56:00 UTC from Launch Complex 36A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
It was the first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, of second generation, to be launched. Due to a malfunction of the multiple-access phased array antenna the spacecraft did not provide the expected level of performance for eighteen of the communications services that it was to provide. The same problem was found and corrected on the TDRS-9 and TDRS-10 satellites prior to their launches.
Orbit
Following its launch, it raised itself into geostationary orbit by means of its onboard R-4D apogee motor, and was positioned at 150.0° West for on-orbit testing. After testing was complete, it was moved to 171.0° East from where it provides communications services to spacecraft in Earth orbit, including the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
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See also
External links
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- {{cite web |url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/tdrs-8.htm |title=TDRS-8, 9, 10 |publisher=Gunter's Space Page |first=Gunter |last=Krebs |accessdate=3 May 2009}}
- {{cite web |url=http://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.427 |title=Issue 427 |publisher=Jonathan's Space Report |first=Jonathan |last=McDowell |accessdate=3 May 2009 |date=29 May 2000 |archive-date=6 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206104811/http://planet4589.org/space/jsr/back/news.427 |url-status=dead }}
- {{cite web |url=http://sat-nd.com/failures/index.html?http://sat-nd.com/failures/tdrs8.html |title=TDRS-8 |work=Failures |publisher=Sat-ND |accessdate=3 May 2009}}
- {{cite web |url=http://ipp.nasa.gov/innovation/Innovation_85/R-16937-Web-V8N5/atcomm.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041031073638/http://ipp.nasa.gov/innovation/Innovation_85/R-16937-Web-V8N5/atcomm.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-10-31 |title=Communications Satellite Serves Space Projects |work=Advanced Technologies, Volume 8 Number 5 |publisher=NASA Aerospace Technology Innovation |date=September 2000 |accessdate=3 May 2009}}
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{{TDRS}}
{{Orbital launches in 2000}}
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Category:Communications satellites in geostationary orbit
Category:Satellites using the BSS-601 bus
Category:Spacecraft launched in 2000
Category:Spacecraft launched by Atlas rockets
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