Communications Technology Satellite
The Communications Technology Satellite (CTS), known as Hermes, was an experimental high-power direct broadcast communications satellite. It was a joint effort of Canadian Department of Communications, who designed and built the satellite, NASA who tested, launched and operated the satellite, and European Space Agency (ESA) who provided the 1200 watts solar panels and other devices. The three agencies shared the satellite and the data from the experiments.
| Names | CTS Hermes |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Communications |
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 1976-004A |
| SATCAT no. | 08585 |
| Mission duration | 2 years (planned) 3 years, 9 months (achieved) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Communications Research Centre Canada |
| Launch mass | 680 kg |
| Power | 1200 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 17 January 1976, 23:28:00 UTC |
| Rocket | Delta-2914 (D-119) |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, LC-17B |
| Contractor | McDonnell Douglas |
| Entered service | 21 May 1976 |
| End of mission | |
| Last contact | October 1979 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Geosynchronous orbit |
| Longitude | 116.0° West |
| Epoch | 17 January 1976 |
| Transponders | |
| Band | Ku band |
Although the launch of the ATS-6 spacecraft in 1974 marked the end of NASA's program of experimental communications satellites. NASA participated in a Canadian satellite venture known initially as "Cooperative Applications Satellite-C" and renamed Hermes. This joint effort involved NASA and the Canadian Department of Communications. NASA's Lewis Research Center provided the satellite's high-power communications payload. Canada designed and built the spacecraft; NASA tested, launched, and operated it. Also, the European Space Agency provided one of the low-power traveling-wave tubes and other equipment. Hermes was launched 17 January 1976 and operated until October 1979.