GemStar
Spacecraft · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: Manufacturer Image
American communications satellite. Global Electronic Messaging Satellite.
More at: GemStar.
Subtopics
REX American earth ionosphere satellite. The REX satellites were designed to study scintillation effects of the Earth's atmosphere on RF transmissions. Experimental satellite built by DSI (#1), CTA (#2) for USAF STP (Space Test Program), USA. Launched 1991 - 1996. Used the GemStar Bus bus.
ACRIMSAT American solar satellite. The NASA ACRIMSAT satellite was managed by JPL, and measured the integrated solar energy output from 0.2 to 2 microns. ACRIMSAT was built by Orbital Sciences. Solar observing satellite built by Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) for NASA, USA. Launched 1999. Used the MiniStar bus.
Related
- Family
- Communications, MX
- Country
- USA
- Spacecraft
- Athena Mars Flyby
- Launch Sites
- Vandenberg, Vandenberg SLC6
Chronology
4 events
1991 June 29
14:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC5. LV Family: Scout. Launch Vehicle: Scout G-1.- REX - . Payload: REX 1. Mass: 85 kg (187 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF Rome. Class: Earth. Type: Ionosphere satellite. Spacecraft Bus: GemStar. Spacecraft: REX. USAF Sat Cat: 21527 . COSPAR: 1991-045A. Apogee: 869 km (539 mi). Perigee: 767 km (476 mi). Inclination: 89.50 deg. Period: 101.30 min. Radiation Experiment; tested communications components in high radiation environment. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B)..
1995 August 15
22:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC6. LV Family: Athena. Launch Vehicle: Athena-1. FAILURE: Destroyed by range safety 160 sec into flight after failure of thrust vector control system.. Failed Stage: 2.- GemStar 1 (VitaSat) - . Payload: Gemstar DSS-1. Mass: 113 kg (249 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: LMSC. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: GemStar. Decay Date: 1995-08-15 . Global Electronic Messaging Satellite..
1996 March 9
01:53 GMT - . Launch Site: Point Arguello. Launch Complex: Point Arguello WADZ. Launch Pad: Aircraft from Vandenberg.. Launch Platform: L-1011. LV Family: Pegasus. Launch Vehicle: Pegasus XL.- REX-II - . Mass: 85 kg (187 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF STP. Class: Earth. Type: Ionosphere satellite. Spacecraft Bus: GemStar. Spacecraft: REX. USAF Sat Cat: 23814 . COSPAR: 1996-014A. Apogee: 835 km (518 mi). Perigee: 799 km (496 mi). Inclination: 90.00 deg. Period: 101.20 min. LEO Air dropped in Point Arguello WADZ..
1999 December 21
07:13 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg 576E. LV Family: Taurus. Launch Vehicle: Taurus 2110.- ACRIMSAT - .
Mass: 115 kg (253 lb). Nation: USA.
Agency: JPL,
NASA.
Manufacturer: Germantown.
Class: Earth.
Type: Seismology satellite. Spacecraft Bus: GemStar.
Spacecraft: ACRIMSAT .
USAF Sat Cat: 26033 . COSPAR: 1999-070B. Apogee: 711 km (441 mi). Perigee: 671 km (416 mi). Inclination: 97.80 deg. Period: 98.60 min.
Measured the integrated solar energy output from 0.2 to 2 microns. Carried instrument deleted from Terra spacecraft, studying the total solar output. Failed on 2013 December 14 due to battery problems, months after a review recommended its continued operation. The ACRIM series of experiments, critical data for climate change studies, flew on Solar Max (1980), Spacelab-1 (1983), UARS (1991), and ACRIMSAT. The similar TIM instrument on the SORCE satellite (2003) continued operating, but it was unclear if it would continue in operation until a replacement instrument would be launched on the JPSS satellite in 2017 at the earliest.