Communications Technology Satellite

Hermes was a Canadian communications satellite could be tested using new technologies. The mission was a collaboration between the Canadian Department of Communications, which has the satellite designed and operated, the U.S. NASA, which was responsible for the transportation to the launch site and into Earth orbit and the European ESA, the 1200 has delivered watt powerful solar panels and other components. The three organizations shared each other's insights they have gained from this project.

Hermes was launched into orbit on January 17, 1976, a Delta 2914 from the Cape Canaveral Spaceport. The mission was originally designed for two years, but has been extended to a system malfunction in November 1979. At that time telecommunications satellites were designed in such a way that the solar panels were directly on the satellite body and have this completely covered. Thus could still by an unfavorable position of the satellite to the sun enough energy to be produced to keep the systems running. Since one has, however, decided at the Hermes satellite for another form with new retractable wing-like solar panels, it is thought that this could not be exactly aligned with the sun, which led to a power outage.

The satellite TV signals were broadcast for testing purposes to which it has been possible to send them to private households, who possessed a small reception system. Several communities in remote areas of Canada participated in several tests. Another test was the transmission and simultaneous reception and forwarding of data between mobile telecommunications transmitting and receiving stations. Hermes was with 200 W output power of the hitherto most powerful satellites.

With the satellite, the Stanley Cup hockey playoffs has been sent to Canadian diplomats in Peru to demonstrate the performance of the satellite. The satellite covered 40 % from its geostationary orbit from the Earth's surface.

1987 were Canada's Department of Communications and NASA an Emmy Award for the advanced communications technology, which was developed and implemented by the Hermes -CTS program and made ​​it possible to provide even the most isolated places on earth with communication means.