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DFS

The DFS series of satellites debuted in 1989 with the third being launched in 1992. Produced by the GESAT consortium of MBB (flight segment prime contractor), Siemens (overall prime contractor), ANT Nachrichtentechnik (payload), Standard Elektrik Lorenz (digital switching equipment), and Dornier Systems (ground control system), DFS spacecraft are smaller than TV-Sat: on-station mass of DFS is 850 kg with a 15.4 m solar array span providing up to 1.5 kW of electrical power (Figure 4.10).

The communications payload includes ten 14/11-12 GHz transponders with five spares and one experimental 30/20 GHz transponder with one spare. At the end of 1994 DFS 1-3 were stationed at 33.5 degrees E, 28.5 degrees E, and 23.5 degrees E, respectively. Like TV-Sat, the DFS Kopernikusseries has been concluded (References 74-76).

74. DFS Kopernikus. Three Satellites For Every Type of Communication, brochure issued be Deutsche Telekom, February 1993.

75. Launch of the German Telecommunications Satellite DFS 3 Kopernikus, brochure issued be Deutsche Telekom, 1992.

76. I. Parker, UGSOC Delivers DFS-3", Space, March 1993, pp. 22-23.

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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