GFO 1

USA

Also called Geosat Follow-on

Launch data:

Designation: 25157 / 98007A
Launch date 10 Feb 1998
Launch site Va, 576E
Launch vehicle  Taurus-2210
Mission Military: remote sensing
Civil: Earth observation
Retrograde LEO orbit on:
Perigee / Apogee 781 x 876 km
Eccentricity 6.60E-03
Inclination 107.9 deg
Period 101.47 min

Using an advanced radar altimeter (13.5 GHz), the GFO satellite is designed to provide precise information on changes in sea surface heights, eddies and warm/cold water fronts. The data will be used to support Navy tactical operations. The GFO contract was awarded to Ball Aerospace Systems Group in August 1992 by the U.S. Navy's Space and Naval Warfare systems command. The Navy contract calls for a "turnkey" satellite system, and contract options for two additional spacecraft. GFO will follow the successful Geosat satellite that completed service in January 1990.

Will downlink directly to vessels.

For the GFO mission, Taurus will use Thiokol's Castor 120 solid rocket motor as the vehicle's first stage, and incorporate a larger, Orbital-developed payload fairing, providing a 120% increase in payload volume. Modifications to the Taurus booster, particularly a new payload fairing twice the size of the one used on the first flight, will result in a much more capable rocket. This configuration was proposed for NASA's MedLite program, and another that results in an extra 500 pounds of secondary payload capability for the GFO mission.

The initial contract worth $115 million calls for 3 GFO satellites, the last one should be launched in 2007

Specifications

Prime contractor Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Operator Naval Satellite Operations Center (NAVSOC)
Platform Techstar
Mass at launch 369 kg
Dry Mass  346 kg
Dimension  
Solar array  
Stabilization  
DC power 121 W
Design lifetime 5 years

96 MB on-board storage

carriers at 400.033 & 150.0125 MHz
Altimetry mission; provide GDRs to scientific research community (unclassified); provides continuous worldwide oceanographic data for ships at sea and for Navy facilities on shore, directly supporting naval operations such as ship routing, antisubmarine warfare, and amphibious operations.
Ref: #15, #226 - update: 28.11.09