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S80/T

Matra Marconi's S80/T microsatellite, based on the UK UoSAT bus, was placed into a nearly circular orbit of 1,315 km at an inclination of 66.1 degrees as a piggyback payload on the Topex/Poseidon mission in August, 1992. Sponsored by CNES, the 50-kg S80/T satellite with a 7 kg payload developed by Dassault Electronique was gravity gradient stabilized with a 25 W power supply. The primary objectives were "analysis of the VHF frequency band between 148 and 149.9 MHz and transmission of data to prepare the future operational S80 system, a constellation of small satellites in low, inclined orbits providing positioning and short message services" (Reference 57).

Sources and Resources

• Adapted from: Europe and Asia in Space 1993-1994, Nicholas Johnson and David Rodvold [Kaman Sciences / Air Force Phillips Laboratory]

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