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TV-Sat

Like the French TDF, TV-Sat satellites are based on the Aerospatiale Spacebus 300 plattorm and were created by the Eurosatellite consortium of Aerospatiale and Messerschmitt-Broelkow-Blohm (MBB). The technical specifications of TV-Sat are also virtually identical with those of TDF, and both satellites share the same geostationary locale near 19 degrees W. MBB was responsible for the attitude and orbit control systems on both TDF and TV-Sat using the S400 and S10 engines (References 70-71).

TV-Sat 1 was launched on 21 November 1987 but the failure of one solar panel to deploy severely curtailed operations, and the spacecraft was placed in a graveyard orbit in 1989. TV-Sat 2 followed on 8 August 1989 and is currently on station at 19.2 degrees W. No further launches in this series are planned (References 72-73).

70. TV-Sat. A German Broadcasting Satellite for Direct Reception, brochure issues by Deutsche Telekom, undated.

71. TV-Sat Service Areas, brochure issued by Deutsche Telekom, undated.

72. P.B. de Selding, "Telekom To Stop Buying Satellites", Space News, 23-29 May 1994, pp.1, 28.

73. C. Bulloch, "Deutsche Telekom, Creeping Toward Privatization". Via Satellite. March 1994 DO 56-62.

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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