Orbcomm FM-2

USA

Launch data:

Designation	23546 / 95017B
Launch date	03 Apr 1995 at 13:48 UT
Launch site	Va, L-1011, RW30/12
Launch vehicle	Pegasus-H (#8)
Mission	Communications
Intermediate LEO orbit:
Perigee / Apogee	733 x 748 km
Eccentricity	1.05E-03
Inclination	69.9 deg
Period	99.62 min

The uplink antenna was malfunctionning after launch and the satellite didn't receive any signals from the ground station. After a month the problems appeared to be solved.

Spacecraft data:

Prime contractor	OSC (Orbital Sciences Corp.)
Operator
Platform	Microstar
Mass at launch	45 kg
Dry Mass	22 kg
Diameter	1.04 m stowed
Height	0.165 m stowed
Width	2.2235 m deployed
Stabilization	gravity gradient
DC power	160 W
Design lifetime	5 yrs
Telemetry	57.6 kbps in VHF

Deploys a 3.28 m long VHF/UHF communications antenna.

Frequencies

Gateway to satellite: 148 - 149.9 MHz (57.6 kbps)
Satellite to client: 137 - 138 MHz (4.8 kbps)
Client to satellite: 148 - 149.9 MHz (2.4 kbps)
Satellite to gateway: 137 - 138 MHz (57.6 kbps)
Beacons: 400.05 - 400.15 MHz (often 400.100 MHz)
Addressing based on X400 protocol. Signals in symmetric differential PSK (SDPSK)

Plane F
Main downlink: 137.460 MHz

Comments:

Global messaging services; nominal 26-satellite constellation; system designed to handle up to 5 million messages; single control center in Dulles, VA.

Ref: #15, #226 - update: 28.11.09