TDRS is launched from CCAFS

[KSC-00PP-0826]


  • Photo Number: KSC-00PP-0826

  • Release Date: 30-Jun-2000

  • Description: Looking like a Roman candle, NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-H) shoots into the blue sky aboard an Atlas IIA/Centaur rocket from Pad 36A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Liftoff occurred at 8:56 a.m. EDT. One of three satellites (labeled H, I and J) being built by the Hughes Space and Communications Company, the latest TDRS uses an innovative springback antenna design. A pair of 15-foot-diameter, flexible mesh antenna reflectors fold up for launch, then spring back into their original cupped circular shape on orbit. The new satellites will augment the TDRS system's existing S- and Ku-band frequencies by adding Ka-band capability. TDRS will serve as the sole means of continuous, high-data-rate communication with the space shuttle, with the International Space Station upon its completion, and with dozens of unmanned scientific satellites in low earth orbit.

    Resolution Format Width
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    Height
    (Pixels)
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    Thumbnail GIF 67 100 10222
    Slide GIF 111 156 25115
    Low GIF 161 240 55417
    Medium JPEG 516 768 47717
    High JPEG 1795 2670 630869

    Point of Contact

    Name: NASA Kennedy Space Center

    Address:

    KSC Public Affairs Office
    National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    John F. Kennedy Space Center
    Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899
    

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    Photos By: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Scanned By: Seven/Still Photo Imaging
    Captions: InDyne, Inc.
    Curator: NASA/KSC Internet Systems Lab (Dumoulin, Downs, Paladino)
    Last Updated: Tuesday August 28 18:52:39 EDT 2001 (Anita Barrett)

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