When was echo 1 launched

Made of Mylar, the satellite measured feet 30 meters in diameter. Once in orbit, residual air inside the balloon expanded, and the balloon began its task of reflecting radio transmissions from one ground station back to another. Family : Communications , Medium earth orbit , Passive communications satellite , Technology. Country : USA. Bibliography : , 2 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 6.

Launch Site : Cape Canaveral. LV Family : Thor. Launch Vehicle : Thor Delta. Failed Stage : U. Echo 1 -. Payload : A Mass : 56 kg lb. Nation : USA. Agency : NASA. Class : Communications. Type : Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft : Echo. Decay Date : You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian.

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View in Mirador Viewer. At the time of Project Echo, the main advantages given for passive satellites were Very wide bandwidths Multiple-access capability No chance for degradations caused by failures of satellite electronics The disadvantages were Lack of signal amplification Relatively large orbit perturbations resulting from solar and atmospheric effects because of the large surface-to-weight ratio Difficulty in maintaining the proper reflector shape The progress in active satellites soon overshadowed the possible advantages of passive satellites, and interest in passive satellites ceased in the mids.

In the mids, there was some interest in passive satellites concerning their use in a nuclear-war environment. The details of Echo are as follows. Satellite Echo 1: sphere, ft diameter, lb Echo 2: sphere, ft diameter, lb Not stabilized, no onboard propulsion Aluminized Mylar surface, maximum reflectivity 98 percent for frequencies up to 20 GHz Frequencies Echo 1: and MHz Echo 2: MHz Orbit Echo 1: x nmi, Echo 1 was used for picture, data, and voice transmissions between a number of ground terminals in the United States.

In addition, some transmissions from the United States were received in England. Numerous modulation methods were tested during the Echo 1 experiments, and valuable experience was gained in the preparation and operation of the terminals, especially in tracking the satellites.