HS-333

Last updated
HS-333
Manufacturer Hughes Aircraft Company
Specifications
Spacecraft type Satellite
Dry mass146kg
Power300 watt
Dimensions
Length3.3m
Diameter1.8m
Capacity
Payload to {{{to}}}
Mass54
Production
Built8
Launched1970
Retired1977

In 1970, Hughes Aircraft Company (HAC) Space and Communications Group offered the first[ citation needed ] standardized satellite: the HS 333 design. A spinning satellite, it was based on previous one-design satellites like Intelsat I. HAC built eight of these 300 watt, 12 channel single antenna satellites between 1970 and 1977. [1]

Contents

Design

The early satellites were designed with cylindrical bodies to maximize the size of the satellite that could fit inside of the rocket's nose cone or fairing which was also round. The early design satellites also relied on spinning at about 30 rpm for stability in orbit. The spinning satellite is a gyroscope.

Several parallel decks, including the top and bottom, were used to mount the propulsion, attitude control, communication, Telemetry & Command (T&C), and power equipment. The upper deck or top of the satellite contained the payload antenna and the T&C antenna.

The outer surface of the cylindrical body was covered with solar cells to generate power for operating the satellite's electrical equipment. Batteries provide power during an eclipse when the satellite is in the shadow of the Earth. The batteries are recharged by excess power from the solar array.

The HS 333 was 1.8 m (6 ft) in diameter and nominally 3.3 m (11 ft) high. The solar array and batteries provided sufficient power over the satellite's 7-year design life to power the 190 W payload and 233 W spacecraft equipment. The payload contributed 54 kg (119 lb) of the HS 333's 146 kg (542 lb) dry mass.

Satellites

Eight HS-333 satellites were launched:

SatelliteOperatorLaunch date
(UTC)
Carrier rocket [2] MassLongitudeRetirementRemarks
Anik A1 [3] Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Telesat Canada [4] 10 November 1972
01:14:03 [2]
Delta 1914 [4] 560 kilograms (1,230 lb) [4]
Anik A2 [3] Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Telesat Canada [4] 20 April 1973
23:47:03 [2]
Delta 1914 [4] 560 kilograms (1,230 lb) [4]
Westar 1 [3] Flag of the United States.svg Western Union [5] 13 April 1974
23:33:03 [2]
Delta 2914 [5] 574 kilograms (1,265 lb) [5]
Westar 2 [3] Flag of the United States.svg Western Union [5] 10 October 1974
23:53:00 [2]
Delta 2914 [5] 574 kilograms (1,265 lb) [5]
Anik A3 [3] Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Telesat Canada [4] 7 May 1975
23:35:26 [2]
Delta 2914 [4] 560 kilograms (1,230 lb) [4]
Palapa A1 [3] Flag of Indonesia.svg Perumtel [6] 8 July 1976
23:31 [2]
Delta 2914 [6] 574 kilograms (1,265 lb) [6]
Palapa A2 [3] Flag of Indonesia.svg Perumtel [6] 10 March 1977
23:16 [2]
Delta 2914 [6] 574 kilograms (1,265 lb) [6]
Westar 3 [3] Flag of the United States.svg Western Union [5] 20 August 1979
00:20 [2]
Delta 2914 [5] 574 kilograms (1,265 lb) [5]

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References

  1. Hughes Aircraft Corporation, Space and Communications Group, SBS F6 Prime sales brochure, 1985
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Krebs, Gunter. "Hughes: HS-333 / HS-356". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Krebs, Gunter. "Anik A 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Krebs, Gunter. "Westar 1, 2, 3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Krebs, Gunter. "Palapa A 1, 2". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 4 July 2012.

See also