Relay program
Relay was an early experimental program American communication satellite, which consisted of the two satellite relay 1 and relay 2. The program was funded by NASA, the two satellites were built by the company RCA. Both satellites were as of September 12, 2009 continue in an orbit around the Earth.
Relay 1
Relay 1 was launched on 13 December 1962, the head of a rocket from the Delta type B from Launch Complex LC - 17A of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on the way into orbit.
Technical information
The satellite was about 83 cm (33 inches ) tall and weighed about 78 kg ( 172 pounds). The spin- stabilized satellite turned initially with a speed of 167.3 revolutions per minute on its own axis, whose position is determined in space by a declination of -68.3 ° and a right ascension of -56 °. The orbital period of the satellite around the Earth was initially 185.09 minutes, the orbit had a perigee of about 1320 km (820 Miles ) and an apogee of about 7450 km ( 4,630 Miles ) on.
For payload included radiation experiments that the location and extent of what is now known as the Van Allen belt radiation belt of the earth should be included. The satellite was transmitted via the antenna mast in extension of the satellite axis with each of the two alternatively usable transponder with a transmission power of 10W either a TV channel or twelve calls in duplex mode. In a satellite transmitter was for the transmission of the satellite orbit data and another for the transmission of telemetry data. The telemetry system using pulse code modulation with a Übertragungsratevon 1152 bit / s Of the transmitted in each time window of 1 second 128 data words of a Telemetriedatensates 113 data words for transmission of data for radiation experiment was used.
Shortly after the launch occurred on two fundamental problems. The first was the reaction of the satellite on falsified control commands, the second a faulty charging behavior of the fed by solar electrical power supply for the nickel - cadmium batteries used in satellites. Due to this low voltage in the electrical system of the satellite was not available during the first two weeks of its orbital period, but could then be used largely as intended. For relay 1 is an automatically cut-off was scheduled for the end of 1963, installed for this purpose in the satellite electronics failed, however. Through the faulty charging behavior of the energy supply of the satellite was added at the beginning of the year 1965 in an undervoltage state. Until February 10, 1965, get sporadic data transfers, then no scientifically useful information could be received more.
Use
In April 1963, electroencephalogram from Bristol in England was transmitted via satellite to the Mayo Clinic and transmits the diagnosis was there a doctor in England via satellite back.
Relay 1 was the first satellite to have been transmitted with the signals of a television broadcast between the United States and Japan. This transfer took place with the circulation in 2677 November 22, 1963 from 2027:42 to 2048 (GMT) ( 13:27 local time Dallas ) instead. For the transmission of a pre-recorded greeting from John F. Kennedy was provided to the people of Japan, the news of that day about an hour before the assassination attempt made on him was sent instead. With the next round of the 2678 Satellite broadcast the first simultaneously broadcast in the United States and Japan show called "Record, life of the late John F. Kennedy ." With the later rounds NBC carried the funeral procession from the White House to the church. In the three days following the murder Relay transferred eleven 1 TV reports, eight and three to Europe to Japan. All usable for transmission overflight phases of the satellites have been used to enable the transmission of current reports on the tragic events.
In August 1964, the satellite relay 1 to transmit the Olympic Games of Tokyo was used by the United States to Europe. The reports had previously been transmitted via the satellite Syncom 3 of Japan to the United States. This is the first two satellites were also used for the transmission of a television broadcast. About Relay 1 was the first satellite transmission between North and South America, as well as by the United States to Japan, Scandinavia and Germany. Overall, this satellite transferred 81 TV programs, surpassing its intended service life of one year by more than twofold.
Reception options
For the approximately simultaneous experiments with the satellites of the series Telstar (1 and 2 ), Syncom (1, 2 and 3) and relay (1 and 2 ) were several, partially mobile satellite receiving stations, among others, in Andover (Maine), Goonhilly (Cornwall ) and Pleumeur -Bodou (France) emerged. An antenna of 10 m diameter proved to be sufficient.
COSPAR satellite ID: Relay 1 1962 Beta Upsilon 1
Relay 2
Relay 2 was launched on 21 January 1964 at the top of a rocket from the Delta type B from Launch Complex LC 17B of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and resembled in its physical structure largely to the already in circulation Relay 1 through various changes could be behavior to be improved to the extent that it properly responded to the control commands, in contrast to relay 1. The first of the two located in the satellite transponder was working properly until 20 November 1966. From this point, the time extended to its respective operational readiness, on 20 January 1967, he dropped out permanently. The second transponder functioned until June 9, 1967.
COSPAR satellite ID: Relay 2 1964 - 003A