LES 9

USA

Spacecraft n°:

USA satellite n°:

LES = Lincoln Experimental Satellite (SESP P74-1B, ST 74-1B)

Launch data:

Designation	08747 / 76023B
Launch date	15 Mar 1976 - 01:25:40 UT
Launch site	CC, LC-40
Launch vehicle	Titan-3(23)C (#93)
Mission	Military: telecommunications Civil: technology research
Geostationary orbit on:
Perigee / Apogee	35694 x 35881 km
Eccentricity	2.22E-03
Inclination	10.76 deg
Period	1436.06 min

LES 8 & 9 were placed in geostationary orbit with 90° between each other. Equipped with a radio isotropic 238 plutonium generator, they could communicate without the help of a ground station.

In 1998 the satellite is still active, relaying communications with the South Pole. Active state confirmed in late 1999.

Spacecraft data:

Prime contractor	MIT Lincoln Laboratories
Platform
Operator	US Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)
Mass at launch	461 kg
Dry Mass	kg
Basic shape
Dimension (m)
Solar array
Stabilization
DC power	130 W
Design lifetime	5+ yrs

Location:

Begin	End	Position
L: 15 Mar 1976		?
Mar 1995		105°W, inclined
2009		102.81deg W

Decay:

Out of service:	July 2010
Cause:	no more active
Descent date:
Lifetime:

Transponder frequency chart (MHz)

Uplink	Transponder	Downlink
303.150	1	249.350
303.175	2	249.375
303.200	3	249.400
303.225	4	249.425
303.250	5	249.450
303.275	6	249.475
303.300	7	249.500
303.325	8	249.525
303.350	9	249.550
303.375	10	249.575
303.400	11	249.600
303.425	12	249.625
303.450	13	249.650
303.475	14	249.675
303.500	15	249.700
303.525	16	249.725
303.550	17	249.750
303.575	18	249.775
303.600	19	249.800
303.625	20	249.825
303.650	21	249.850

Original purpose was "Air Force sponsored program in space communications"; nuclear-powered; circuits jam-resistant to operate in hostile environment.

Ref: #7, #15, #226 - update: 09.08.10