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Relay

Spacecraft · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Relay
Relay
Credit: NASA

American communications technology satellite. Communication satellite built by RCA Astro for NASA, USA. Launched 1962 - 1964.

Relay was a communications satellite of the active repeater type, in which signals from one ground station were picked up and rebroadcast to another station by the satellite's internal equipment. A NASA project, Relay was a 78 kg, spin-stabilized spacecraft boosted by a Delta launch vehicle. The first Relay satellite was launched December 13, 1962, and it remained operational for more than 2 years. Relay 2, launched January 21, 1964, was used in thousands of tests and experiments and in some 40 public demonstrations through September 1965.

More at: Relay.

Related

Country
USA
Launch Vehicles
Thor, Delta, Thor Delta B
Agency
NASA
Bibliography
2, 405, 4056, 4057, 4058, 4059, 4060, 6, 6822, 13011

Photo Gallery

  • Relay 1
    Relay 1
    Credit: Manufacturer Image

Chronology

2 events

1962 December 13

23:30 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta B.
  • Relay 1 - . Payload: NASA A-15. Mass: 78 kg (171 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA. Class: Technology. Type: Communications technology satellite. Spacecraft: Relay. USAF Sat Cat: 503 . COSPAR: 1962-B-Upsilon-1. Apogee: 7,440 km (4,620 mi). Perigee: 1,319 km (819 mi). Inclination: 47.50 deg. Period: 185.10 min. Communications satellite technology tests. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). .

1964 January 21

21:14 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17B. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta B.
  • Relay 2 - . Payload: Relay B. Mass: 78 kg (171 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NASA Greenbelt. Class: Technology. Type: Communications technology satellite. Spacecraft: Relay. USAF Sat Cat: 737 . COSPAR: 1964-003A. Apogee: 7,540 km (4,680 mi). Perigee: 1,961 km (1,218 mi). Inclination: 46.40 deg. Period: 194.70 min. Experimental commsat. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). .