Also called:
Communications Technology
Satellite
Date of launch (location):
Jan. 17, 1976 (ETR)
Launch vehicle:
Delta 2914
Weight (kg):
676.8
Shape:
Roughly cylindrical with solar
panels
Dimensions (m):
1.88 height (16.5 with solar panels
extended)
1.83 diameter
Power source:
Solar cells plus NiCd
batteries
NASA's role:
Launch vehicle, spacecraft testing,
instruments (traveling wave tube)
Cooperating organizations:
NASA and Canadian Department of
Communications
Spacecraft provider:
Canadian Communications Research
Center
Responsible NASA center:
Goddard Space Flight Center
Lewis Research Center
Mission operations managers:
William H. Robbins: Robert G.
Sanford
Objectives:
To advance the technology of
spacecraft-mounted and related ground-based components
applicable to high-radiated RF-power satellites; two year
experiment program.
U.S. experiments:
Transmitter Experiment Package
Solar Array Technology
Experiment
Attitude Control System
Experiment
Biomedical Communications
Health Communications
Communications Support for
Decentralized Medical Education
Health Educational Television
College Curriculum Sharing
Project Interchange
Satellite Distribution
Experiment
Communications in Lieu of
Transportation
Transportable Emergency Earth
Terminal
Interactive Techniques for Intra-NASA
Applications
Communications Link
Characterization
12 GHz Low-Cost Receivers
Results:
Successful; most powerful
communications satellite launched to that date; operations
ceased in Oct. 1979.
Reference: NASA, "CTS Mission Operations Report," E-610-76-01, Dec. 30, 1975.