NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

DMSP-5D1 F1

Launch Time
Sat Sep 11, 1976 08:00 UTC

Rocket

Thor LV2F Star-ISS
US Air Force
Status: Retired
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 3

Mission Details

DMSP-5D1 F1

DMSP-5D1 (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Block 5D1) was the ninth version of the military meteorological satellites of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. These version was also known as AMS (Advanced Meteorological Satellite).

This series introduced a new 3-axis stabilized bus with integrated propulsion system, so that the satellite itself acted as an upper stage for the launch vehicle. It consisted of a Star-37XE and a Star-37S motor and the ISS (Integrated Stage System) control system featuring four axial hydrazine thrusters. Power was supplied by a single, articulated 8-segmented solar array.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 513.0 kg
Sun-Synchronous Orbit

Location

SLC-10W (75-2-6), Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Stats

1976

92nd orbital launch attempt

Thor-Burner

27th mission
2nd mission of 1976
24th successful mission
1st consecutive successful mission