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TSS

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EOIM-3/TEMP2A-3 Credit: Manufacturer Image

AKA: Tethered Satellite System. Status: Operational 1992. First Launch: 1992-07-31. Last Launch: 1996-02-22. Number: 3 .

The objective was to demonstrate control of the satellite during deployment, aerodynamic stability at flight altitude, and the ability of the system to collect meaningful scientific data and to return the data to the Orbiter. First attempt to use the system was on STS-46 in July 1992. The tether jammed on a protuding bolt after being extended only 260 m. It was reeled in and returned to earth. The system was reflown, and satellite deployment began from STS-75 from a 291 km x 299 km x 28.5 deg orbit at 20:45 GMT on 25 February 1996. By 01:00 GMT on 26 February the satellite was at almost 22 km. At 01:30 GMT the tether broke at the deployer end, and the TSS satellite plus tether rapidly separated from Columbia. It entered a higher 316 x 413 km x 28.5 deg orbit (Columbia's orbit at the time was 291 x 299 km) thus demonstrating inadvertently the use of tethers for changing orbits without using rocket fuel. At around 17:40 GMT the astronauts began retracting the remaining tether and stowing the deployer boom.

Family: Technology, Tether technology satellite. Country: Italy. Launch Sites: Cape Canaveral, Cape Canaveral LC39B. More at: 11911. Bibliography: 2, 276, 4, 6.

• TSS-1 - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: STS. Spacecraft Bus: TSS. Spacecraft: TSS. COSPAR: 1992-049xx.

• TSS-1 - . Payload: TSS-1R. Nation: Italy. Agency: ASI. Program: STS. Class: Technology. Type: Tether technology satellite. Spacecraft Bus: TSS. Spacecraft: TSS. Decay Date: 1996-03-19 . USAF Sat Cat: 23805 . COSPAR: 1996-012B. Apogee: 189 km (117 mi). Perigee: 173 km (107 mi). Inclination: 28.5000 deg. Period: 88.10 min. LEO. Tether deployment test; 20 km long tether; satellite unintentionally deployed when tether broke 2/25/96 Reentered Mar 19..

• TSS-1R Deployer - . Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Program: STS. Spacecraft Bus: TSS. Spacecraft: TSS. Decay Date: 1996-03-09 . USAF Sat Cat: 23801 . COSPAR: 1996-012xx. Apogee: 320 km (190 mi). Perigee: 277 km (172 mi). Inclination: 28.5000 deg. Period: 90.50 min.

• TSS tether breaks - . Nation: Italy. Spacecraft Bus: TSS. Spacecraft: TSS. Test from shuttle of 20 km long tether; satellite unintentionally deployed when tether broke. Re-entered March 19..