# TDRS-5

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q7669868](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7669868)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDRS-5)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tdrs-5

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **TDRS-5**:

---

## Summary  
TDRS-5 is an American communications satellite that forms part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). Launched in 1991 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-43), it provides critical data relay services for NASA missions. It operates in geosynchronous orbit and was manufactured by TRW Inc.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** August 2, 1991, at 15:01:59 UTC  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-43)  
- **Manufacturer:** TRW Inc.  
- **Operator:** NASA  
- **Mass:** 2,108 kg (at takeoff)  
- **Dimensions:** 17.3 meters (length) × 14.2 meters (width)  
- **Orbit:** Geosynchronous  
- **Power Output:** 1,700 watts  
- **Preceded by:** TDRS-4  
- **Succeeded by:** TDRS-6  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the purpose of TDRS-5?  
A: TDRS-5 is a communications satellite designed to relay data between ground stations and other spacecraft, supporting NASA missions like the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station.  

### Q: How was TDRS-5 launched?  
A: It was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-43) on August 2, 1991, using the Inertial Upper Stage (IUS-15) booster to reach geosynchronous orbit.  

### Q: Who operates TDRS-5?  
A: NASA operates TDRS-5 as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS), which provides continuous communication links for space missions.  

## Why It Matters  
TDRS-5 plays a vital role in NASA's space communications infrastructure, enabling real-time data transmission between Earth and orbiting spacecraft. Without satellites like TDRS-5, missions would face significant delays in sending scientific data, telemetry, and commands. Its deployment marked another step in expanding the TDRSS network, which remains critical for human spaceflight, Earth observation, and deep-space exploration. The satellite's reliability and longevity underscore its importance in maintaining uninterrupted space-to-ground communications.

## Notable For  
- **Critical Infrastructure:** Part of the TDRSS network, which supports NASA's most important missions.  
- **Longevity:** Launched in 1991, it contributed to decades of space communications.  
- **Unique Design:** Features large deployable antennas for high-bandwidth data relay.  
- **Launch Method:** Deployed via the Space Shuttle and Inertial Upper Stage (IUS).  

## Body  
### Launch and Deployment  
- Launched on **August 2, 1991**, from **Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A**.  
- Used the **Inertial Upper Stage (IUS-15)** to reach geosynchronous orbit.  
- Mission: **STS-43** aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass:** 2,108 kg at launch.  
- **Dimensions:** 17.3 m (length) × 14.2 m (width).  
- **Power Output:** 1,700 watts nominal.  
- **Orbit:** Geosynchronous, ensuring constant coverage for ground stations.  

### Operational Role  
- Provides data relay for NASA spacecraft, including the Space Shuttle and ISS.  
- Part of the **TDRSS constellation**, ensuring global communication coverage.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Satellite",
  "name": "TDRS-5",
  "description": "American communications satellite part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDRS-5"
  ],
  "operatingSystem": "Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System",
  "manufacturer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "TRW Inc."
  },
  "launchDate": "1991-08-02",
  "operator": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "NASA"
  }
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_stage/ius.htm)
3. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/heo/scan/services/networks/tdrs_characteristics/)