Jan 3 1977
From The Space Library
NASA announced award of what Aviation Week called "the largest NASA contract ever issued for an unmanned space program" to Western Union Space Communications Co., TRW Systems, and Harris Electronics Systems Div. for development of the tracking and data-relay satellite system (TDRSS) aimed at replacing present ground stations by offering orbital-communications coverage for 85 to 100% of spacecraft orbit, compared to 15% coverage now available from ground-based facilities. The system would consist of two specialized relay spacecraft in synchronous earth orbit plus a ground terminal at White Sands, N.M., supporting 20 or more satellites orbiting at up to 5000km altitude. The 10yr contract at $79.6 million per yr would include work on spacecraft and ground stations, as well as all, operating costs.
TRW would be prime manufacturer under subcontract with WU to build six spacecraft plus components for a seventh, using technology developed for the FltSatCom spacecraft and hardware used in WU's Westar domestic comsats; Harris Electronics would build the White Sands station and provide antenna components. Missions using the TDRSS would include scientific, applications, and manned satellites such as Space Shuttle, Spacelab, and Shuttle-launched spacecraft scheduled for the 1980s. (Av Wk, Jan 3/77, 14; NASA Release 76-213)
Seven European nations planning to use data from the U.S. SEASAT A, due for launch in May 1978, were forming an organization to coordinate their activities, Aviation Week magazine reported. Denmark, Finland, France, West Germany, Britain, Norway, and Spain would use SEASAT measurement of wave heights to forecast floods in the North Sea area and to design ships or offshore structures such as oil rigs, or in harbor construction. The group planned to have five laser-ranging stations and up to 10 Doppler tracking stations ready by the time SEASAT would be operational. (Av Wk, Jan 3/77, 20)
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