ATS-5
Applications Technology Satellite-5
Part of the ATS (Applications Technology Satellites) program

The experimental goals of ATS-5 included a demonstration using L-band signals to precisely locate ships, tests of an electric ion engine, evaluation of the attenuation effects on RF signals by rain, and C-band communications tests. However, following the firing of the satellite's apogee kick motor, ATS-5 went into an unplanned flat spin. The vehicle recovered and began spinning about the correct axis, but in the direction opposite that planned. As a result, the spacecraft's gravity gradient booms could not be deployed, and some experiments were not functional. The spacecraft was able to perform some of its experimental goals, and was finally boosted above geostationary orbit at the end of its mission.

Spacecraft
Aluminum structure, drum mounted solar cells provided 150 W BOL, 2 6 Ah NiCd batteries, N2 and N2H4 thrusters, yo-yo despin, nutation control, solar arrays cooled by heat pipes. Planned as gravity gradient stabilized.

Payload
Magnetometer, ion engine (10E-5 lbf resistojet), C-band communications package, millimeter wave propagation experiment, L-band communications experiment.

Country of Origin	United States
Customer/User	NASA, NSF
Manufacturer(s)	Hughes
Size	1.4 m dia. x 1.8 m high cylinder
Orbit	GEO (over Pacific), incl. = 2.6 deg.
Design Life	3 years

Launch Facts

Name	Int'l Desig.	Date	Site	Vehicle	Orbit	Mass(kg)
Notes
ATS 5	1969-069A	8/12/69	ESMC	Atlas Centaur	GEO	821
Applications Technology Satellite; communications tests; 108 deg W