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STSS Demonstrator Mission | Lincoln, UK 2010 Mar 12, UTC Friday | ||||||||||||||||
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| Launch Day
The Space Tracking and Surveillance System (STSS) Demonstrator mission was launched 2009 September 25 at 12:20 UTC from the Cape Canaveral Air force Station This was twenty minutes into a one hour launch window. Lift off followed several delays over the preceding days and hours through a combination of technical and weather issues.
 The purpose of the satellite pair is to demonstrate the use of sensors in LEO to detect and monitor missile launches.
The Press Kit issued by United Launch Alliance described the Delta launch vehicle as destined for a circular orbit at 1350 km with inclination 58 degrees. After that, the payloads were to be released.
Transmission frequencies
2009 September 25, 14:33:45 UTC a new transmission was detected here at 2247.5 MHz (SGLS Channel 10). The STSS Demonstrator satellites had completed their first orbit of the Earth and were starting on the second. The Doppler curve of the 2247.5 MHz signal as it passed by indicated that the satellite was in an orbit very close to a pre-launch estimate made by Ted Molczan of Canada.
A 2272.5 MHz (SGLS Channel 15) transmission logged from South Africa on rev 2 also proved to be coming from the STSS Demonstrator pair.
Components of the Launch
Ongoing Tracking
In subsequent days, the two satellites were tracked closely as they separated towards their operational locations and it very soon became apparent that the two transmissions each represented one of the satellites. Details of ongoing tracking of the mission can be found under "Radio Monitoring....." in the left hand menu.
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Frequency lists, transmission details
Techniques, analysis and results of tracking activities
Consolidation of individual mission diaries from the site (and more!)
Ongoing Calendar of comings and goings in space
People, reminiscences and tracking equipment
Korolyov's efforts in getting the first satellite into orbit
The Soviet Union's programme of automatic exploration
First pilot to orbit the Earth
Soviet programme to put multiple passengers into space
First docking in orbit of piloted spacecraft
First docking of piloted spacecraft from different nations
Chronology of missions to the first space stations
Detailed calendar of launches and activities in orbit
Mission calendar for the early years
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