Boeing 601

Last updated
Boeing 601
TDRS-M inside the Astrotech facility in Titusville.jpg
TDRS-M, the last satellite based on the Boeing-601
Manufacturer Boeing
Production
StatusIn service
On order84
Launched76
Lost8
Maiden launch Optus B1 13 August 1992
Last launch TDRS-M 18 August 2017
Related spacecraft
DerivativesBoeing 601HP [1]
←  HS-376 Boeing 702 →

The Boeing 601 (sometimes referred to as the BSS-601, and previously as the HS-601) is a retired communications satellite bus designed in 1985 and introduced in 1987 by Hughes Space and Communications Company. The series was extremely popular in the 1990s, with more than 84 purchased by customers globally. The more advanced 601HP derivative (for "high power") was introduced in 1995. [1] Hughes, and the 601 platforms, were acquired by Boeing in 2000.

Contents

The last commercial 601 satellite was ordered in 2001 and launched in 2004. The NASA Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) Program Office in December 2007 selected the BSS-601HP for its third generation TDRS spacecraft, adding the two 15-foot (4.5m) diameter steerable antennas. The TDRS-M satellite, launched on August 18, 2017, became the last 601 satellite to reach orbit. [2]

Background

The Boeing-601 model was Hughes’ first major design and development for a communications satellite with three-axis, or body stabilization. All previous Hughes satellite models (HS-376) had been cylindrical spacecraft that were spin-stabilized at 50 revolutions per minute. Design of the Boeing-601 began in 1985, with full-scale development following two years later. The new satellite's first official public presentation took place at the Telecom 87 conference in Geneva, Switzerland.

Variants

Boeing-601HP
A high-power version of the standard model Boeing-601, it supports up to 60 transponders and 10,000 watts, making it twice as powerful as the standard 601. Innovations in gallium arsenide solar cells, battery technology, and xenon ion propulsion systems (XIPS) facilitated this upgrade. The 601HP made its debut in 1995, with upgrades in 2000 to address design and component failures.
Ultra High Frequency Follow On (UFO)
The U.S. Navy began replacing and upgrading its ultra-high frequency (UHF) satellite communications network during the 1990s with a constellation of customized HS-601 satellites known as the UFO (Ultra High Frequency Follow On) series. Eleven UFO satellites were launched between 1993 and 2003. The UHF Follow-On constellation replaced the Fleet Satellite Communications (FLTSATCOM) and the Hughes-built Leasat spacecraft.
Third generation GOES satellites
The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system (GOES), operated by NOAA, selected the standard Boeing 601 bus for its third generation weather satellites, GOES-13, GOES-14, and GOES-15. This series featured a sun-pointed extreme ultraviolet sensor, a Solar X-Ray Imager (SXI), and space environment monitoring (SEM) instruments for their space weather role.
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)
The second generation satellites (3) used the standard 601 bus, while the follow-on third generation satellites (3) use the 601HP bus, after design changes addressing satellite failures in 1990s. The TDRS version features two 15-foot-diameter steerable graphite composite mesh antennas. These antennas are partially curled-up like a taco shell to fit within the Atlas/Centaur payload fairing.

Design

Structure

The 601 bus is divided into two modules. The first module houses the propulsion system, batteries, and electronics for the bus, and bears launch vehicle loads. The second module contains shelves carrying the communications equipment, payload electronics, and heat pipes. Solar arrays, reflectors, and antenna feeds are mounted to the payload module. [3]

Payload

The standard 601 platform supports up to 48 transponders and provides up to 4,800 watts of power. The 601HP supports up to 60 transponders and provides up to 10,000 watts. [3]

Failures

A significant number of Boeing 601s have experienced failures in orbit, some resulting in complete failure of the satellite. [4] [5]

Spacecraft Control Processor (SCP)

An unconfirmed number of 601s launched prior to August 1997 have a design flaw in their SCPs, where a tin-plated relay forms crystalline "whiskers" under certain specific conditions. These whiskers eventually caused an electrical short. Each satellite contains two SCPs and the backup unit will take control in the event of a failure of the primary unit. In some cases, both SCPs have failed, rendering the spacecraft unusable. A notable example was the Galaxy IV satellite. [6] At least eight 601s have experienced SCP failures; four of which were double failures resulting in total loss of the satellite. [7] Hughes switched to nickel plating on later 601s to resolve this problem, at the expense of payload weight. [6]

Batteries

Some 601HPs have experienced problems with their batteries, resulting in a reduction of eclipse protection. This would require some transponders to be shut down during eclipse periods. [8] [9]

Xenon Ion Propulsion System (XIPS)

Some Boeing-601 satellites featured the optional electronic propulsion system, called Xenon Ion Propulsion System or XIPS, for station keeping. At least four satellites with XIPS propulsion have experienced partial or total failure of the XIPS system which significantly reduced the lifespan of the satellite. [4]

Satellites based on the 601 and 601HP

Latest operatorSatellites [3]
APT Satellite Apstar 2 (destroyed in launch accident, January 1995)
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company AsiaSat 3S
AsiaSat 4
DirecTV DIRECTV 1
DIRECTV 2
DIRECTV 3
DIRECTV 1R
DIRECTV 4S
Indosat Palapa C1 (launched January 1996)
Palapa C2 (launched May 1996)
Intelsat Intelsat 2 (launched July 1994)
Intelsat 3R (launched January 1996 as PAS-3R)
Galaxy 4R (601HP; launched April 2000; originally operated by PanAmSat, which was later acquired by Intelsat)
Intelsat 5 (601HP; launched August 1997; known variously as IS-5, PAS-5, and Arabsat 2C)
Intelsat 9 (601HP; launched July 2000 as PAS-9 operated by PanAmSat)
Galaxy 10R (601HP; launched January 2000)
JSAT Corporation JCSAT-3 (launched August 1995)
JCSAT-4 (launched February 1997)
JCSAT-5 (launched December 1997)
JCSAT-4A (launched February 1999; formerly designated JCSAT-6)
JCSAT-8 (launched March 2002)
Loral Space & Communications Orion 3 (601HP; launched May 1999; failed to achieve correct orbit)
MEASAT MEASAT-3 (launched December 12, 2006)
NASA TDRS-H (launched June 2000)
TDRS-I (launched March 2002)
TDRS-J (launched December 2002)
TDRS-K (601HP; launched January 2013)
TDRS-L (601HP; launched January 2014)
TDRS-M (601HP; launched August 2017)
NOAA/NASA GOES N
GOES O
GOES P
Optus (formerly AUSSAT) Optus B1 (launched August 1992)
Optus B2 (launched December 1992; launch failure)
Optus B3 (launched August 1994)
PanAmSat Galaxy IIIR
Galaxy IV
Galaxy VI
Galaxy VIR (601HP)
Galaxy VIIIi (601HP)
Galaxy X (601HP)
Galaxy XR (601HP)
PAS-2 (launched July 1994)
PAS-3 (launched December 1994; launch failure)
PAS-3 (spare satellite launched January 1996; re-designated PAS-3)
PAS-4 (launched August 1995)
PAS-5 (601HP, launched August 1997; first 601 HP to launch)
PAS-6B (launched December 1998)
PAS-10 (launched May 2001)
PAS-22 (launched as AsiaSat 3; later sold to Hughes Communications and re-designated HGS-1;
then sold to PanAmSat and re-designated PAS-22)
Pendrell Corporation
(formerly ICO Global Communications)		(Twelve satellites in MEO)
Satmex Solaridad 1 (launched November 1993)
Solaridad 2 (launched October 1994)
Satmex 5 (601HP; launched December 1998)
SES S.A. Astra 1C
Astra 1D
Astra 1E
Astra 1F
Astra 1G
Astra 2A
Astra 1H
Astra 2C
SES-7 (launched May 2009 as ProtoStar 2 for ProtoStar Ltd; later sold to SES)
SKY Perfect JSAT Group
(formerly Space Communications Corporation)		 Superbird-C (launched July 1997)
Superbird-B2 (601HP; launched February 2000; previously designated Superbird-4)
Superbird-6 (launched April 2004)
TerreStar Corporation
(formerly Motient Corporation,
American Mobile Satellite Corporation)		 AMSC-1 (launched April 1995)
TMI Communications MSAT-1 (launched April 1996)
United States Navy Eleven UHF Follow-On spacecraft designated F1-F11 (launched between 1993 and 2003)

See also

Related Research Articles

Galaxy IV was a model HS-601 satellite built by Hughes Space and Communications Company (HSC). The satellite, which carried a payload of both C band and Ku band transponders, was launched on June 24, 1993 and operated by PanAmSat Corporation. It was in geostationary orbit at 99°W.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boeing 702</span> Satellite bus designed and manufactured by Boeing

Boeing 702 is a communication satellite bus family designed and manufactured by the Boeing Satellite Development Center, and flown from the late-1990s into the 2020s. It covers satellites massing from 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) to 6,100 kg (13,400 lb) with power outputs from 3 to 18 kW and can carry up to approximately 100 high-power transponders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satellite bus</span> Main body and structural component of the satellite

A satellite bus is the main body and structural component of a satellite or spacecraft, in which the payload and all scientific instruments are held.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TDRS-8</span> American communications satellite

TDRS-8, known before launch as TDRS-H, is an American communications satellite, of second generation, which is operated by NASA as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. It was constructed by Boeing and is based on the BSS-601 satellite bus.

Eurostar is a satellite bus made by Airbus Defence and Space which has been used for a series of spacecraft providing telecommunications services in geosynchronous orbit (GEO). More than 70 Eurostar satellites have been ordered to date, of which more than 55 have been successfully launched since October 1990 and have proven highly reliable in operational service. In December 2013, the Eurostar satellites accumulated 500 years of successful operations in orbit. The Eurostar spacecraft series is designed for a variety of telecommunications needs including fixed services and broadcast, mobile services, broadband and secured communications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TDRS-11</span> American communications satellite

TDRS-11, known before launch as TDRS-K, is an American communications satellite which is operated by NASA as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. The eleventh Tracking and Data Relay Satellite is the first third-generation spacecraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TDRS-12</span> American communications satellite

TDRS-12, known before launch as TDRS-L, is an American communications satellite operated by NASA as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. The twelfth Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, it is the second third-generation spacecraft to be launched, following TDRS-11 in 2013.

BSAT-1a was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-376 platform. It was originally ordered and operated by the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT). It was used as the main satellite to broadcast television channels for NHK and WOWOW over Japan. It had a pure Ku band payload and operated on the 110°E longitude until it was replaced, along its backup BSAT-1b, by BSAT-3a. On 3 August 2010, it was decommissioned and placed on a graveyard orbit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TDRS-13</span> American communications satellite

TDRS-13, known before launch as TDRS-M, is an American communications satellite operated by NASA as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. The thirteenth Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, it is the third and final third-generation spacecraft to be launched, following the 2014 launch of TDRS-12.

BSAT-1b was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-376 platform. It was originally ordered and operated by the Broadcasting Satellite System Corporation (B-SAT). It was used as backup of BSAT-1a to broadcast television channels for NHK and WOWOW over Japan. It had a pure Ku band payload and operated on the 110°E longitude until it was replaced, along its twin BSAT-1a, by BSAT-3a.

Superbird-A2, known as Superbird-6 before launch, was a geostationary communications satellite ordered and operated by Space Communications Corporation (SCC) that was designed and manufactured by Hughes on the BSS-601 satellite bus. It had a mixed Ku-band and Ka-band payload and was expected replace Superbird-A at the position at 158° East longitude. It was expected to provided television signals and business communications services throughout Japan, South Asia, East Asia, and Hawaii.

Horizons-1, also known as Galaxy 13, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by Intelsat and SKY Perfect JSAT (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Boeing on the BSS-601 platform. It has Ku-band and C-band payload and was used to replace Galaxy 9 at the 127.0° West longitude. It covers North America, Puerto Rico, Alaska, Hawaii and Mexico.

JCSAT-1B, known as JCSAT-5 before launch, is a geostationary communications satellite operated by SKY Perfect JSAT Group (JSAT) which was designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-601 satellite bus. It has a pure Ku-band payload and was used to replace JCSAT-1 at the 150° East longitude. It covers Japan, Korea, most of China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, part of Indonesia, part of Malaysia and Hawaii.

JCSAT-4 was known as JCSAT-R until it was sold to Intelsat in 2009. It is a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-601 satellite bus. It was originally ordered by JSAT Corporation, which later merged into the SKY Perfect JSAT Group. It has a mixed Ku-band and C-band payload and was used as an on orbit spare.

JCSAT-3 was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-601 satellite bus. It was originally ordered by JSAT Corporation, which later merged into the SKY Perfect JSAT Group. It has a mixed Ku-band and C-band payload and operated on the 128° East longitude until it was replaced by JCSAT-3A.

JCSAT-1 was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-393 satellite bus. It was originally ordered by Japan Communications Satellite Company (JCSAT), which later merged into the JSAT Corporation. It had a Ku-band payload and operated on the 150° East longitude until it was replaced by JCSAT-1B.

JCSAT-2 was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-393 satellite bus. It was originally ordered by Japan Communications Satellite Company (JCSAT), which later merged into the JSAT Corporation. It had a Ku-band payload and operated on the 154° East longitude until it was replaced by JCSAT-2A.

SBS 6 was a geostationary communications satellite designed and manufactured by Hughes on the HS-393 platform. It was originally ordered by Satellite Business Systems, which later sold it to Hughes Communications and was last used by Intelsat. It had a Ku band payload and operated on the 95°W longitude.

The Hughes 393 is a communications satellite bus introduced in 1985 by Hughes Space and Communications Company. It was a spin-stabilized bus that had twice as much power as the HS-376 platform.

Superbird-C, also known as Superbird-3 or Superbird-A3, was a geostationary communications satellite ordered and operated by Space Communications Corporation (SCC) that was designed and manufactured by Hughes Space and Communications Company on the HS-601 satellite bus. It has a pure Ku-band payload and was used to fill the position at 144° East longitude. It provided television signals and business communications services throughout Japan, South Asia, East Asia, and Hawaii.

References

  1. 1 2 "History: 601 Satellite". Boeing. Retrieved 2013-07-12.
  2. ↑ "TDRS-M Satellite Overview". Spaceflight101.com. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "Boeing 601 Fleet". Boeing. Archived from the original on 2013-06-30. Retrieved 2013-07-12.
  4. 1 2 "Sat-ND Failures - HS 601 Launch List (incomplete)". Sat-ND.com. Sat-ND. Archived from the original on 2022-11-12. Retrieved 2015-08-23.
  5. ↑ "Boeing 601 Space Systems Forecast – Satellites & Spacecraft". ForecastInternational.com. Forecast International. January 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  6. 1 2 Felps, Bruce (1999-05-17). "'Whiskers' Caused Satellite Failure: Galaxy IV Outage Blamed On Interstellar Phenomenon". Wireless Week. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Sat-ND Failures - HS 601 SCPs". Sat-ND.com. Sat-ND. Archived from the original on 2022-09-01. Retrieved 2015-08-23.
  8. ↑ "PanAmSat suffers satellite setback". CNET.com. CNET. Retrieved 2015-08-23.
  9. ↑ "Galaxy 8i, 8iR". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
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