Also called:
Orbital Test Satellite; Operations
Technology Satellite
Date of launch (location):
Sept. 13, 1977 (ETR)
Launch vehicle:
Delta 3914
Weight (kg):
865
Shape:
Six-sided with two solar
panels
Dimensions (m):
2.13 length (9.26 with solar array
deployed)
2.39 height
Power source:
Solar panels and NiCd battery
NASA's role:
Launch vehicle (reimbursable)
Cooperating organizations:
NASA and European Space Agency
Prime contractor:
Hawker Siddeley Dynamics
Objectives:
Three-year commercial communications
system for Europe; capable of 6000 telephone
circuits.
Results:
Unsuccessful; Castor IV strap-on
motor malfunctioned during launch; vehicle exploded 54
seconds after liftoff.
Reference: ESA, "ESA's OTS-2 Communications Satellite Due to Launch End April," ESA news release, Apr. 7, 1978; and NASA, "OTS I Mission Operations Report," M-492-210-77-01, Sept. 8, 1977.