TDRS-12

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.[4]

TDRS-12
TDRS-L at the Astrotech payload processing facility
Mission typeCommunications
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID2014-004A
SATCAT no.39504
Mission duration15 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
BusBSS-601HP
ManufacturerBoeing
Launch mass3,454 kg (7,615 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch dateJanuary 24, 2014, 02:33:00 (2014-01-24UTC02:33Z) UTC[2]
RocketAtlas V 401
Launch siteCape Canaveral SLC-41
ContractorUnited Launch Alliance
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeGeosynchronous orbit
Perigee altitude35,785 kilometers (22,236 mi)[3]
Apogee altitude35,797 kilometers (22,243 mi)[3]
Inclination6.77 degrees[3]
Period1436.03 minutes[3]
EpochJanuary 22, 2015, 07:10:47 UTC[3]
 

Spacecraft

TDRS-12 was constructed by Boeing, based on the BSS-601HP satellite bus. Fully fueled, it has a mass of 3,454 kg (7,615 lb), with a design life of 15 years.[1] It carries two steerable antennas capable of providing S, Ku and Ka band communications for other spacecraft, with an additional array of S-band transponders for lower-rate communications with five further satellites.[4] The satellite is powered by two solar arrays, which produce 2.8 to 3.2 kilowatts of power, while an R-4D-11-300 engine is present to provide propulsion.[1][5]

Launch

The United Launch Alliance was contracted to launch TDRS-12. The spacecraft was launched on January 24, 2014 at 02:33 UTC (21:33 local time on January 23).[2] An Atlas V rocket was used, flying in the 401 configuration, with tail number AV-043.[5] After launch, TDRS-12 was deployed into a high-perigee geosynchronous transfer orbit.[6] The spacecraft raised itself into a geosynchronous orbit using its onboard propulsion system.

  • Location of TDRS as of 22 May 2020
  • Location of TDRS as of March 2019

References
  1. Krebs, Gunter. "TDRS K, L, M". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
  2. "TRDS-L Lifts Off". NASA. Retrieved January 24, 2014.
  3. "TDRS-12 Satellite details 2014-004A NORAD 39504". N2YO. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  4. "TDRS-K Media Kit" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  5. Graham, William (January 23, 2014). "ULA set to open 2014 campaign with Atlas V launch of TDRS-L". NASASpaceflight.com. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  6. "TDRS-L Atlas V Mission Overview" (PDF). United Launch Alliance. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 1, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2014.


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