# TDRS-7

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q7669871](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7669871)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TDRS-7)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tdrs-7

## Summary
TDRS-7, also known as TDRS-G, is an American communications satellite operated by NASA as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). Launched aboard the Space Shuttle STS-70 mission on July 13, 1995, it was manufactured by TRW Inc. to provide continuous communication coverage for spacecraft in low Earth orbit.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Instance of a Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (communications satellite).
- **Launch Date**: July 13, 1995, at 13:41:55 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Space Shuttle (Mission STS-70), launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B.
- **Operator**: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- **Manufacturer**: TRW Inc.
- **Orbit**: Geosynchronous orbit.
- **Mass**: 2,108 kilograms (at takeoff).
- **Dimensions**: 14.2 meters (width) x 17.3 meters (length).
- **Power Output**: 1,700 watts (nominal).
- **Identifiers**: COSPAR ID 1995-035B; SCN 23613.
- **Aliases**: TDRS-G, TDRS 7, TDRS G.
- **Sequence**: Preceded by TDRS-6; succeeded by TDRS-8.

## FAQs
### Q: What is TDRS-7?
A: TDRS-7 is a communications satellite that serves as a component of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS), managed by NASA. It is designed to relay data from other satellites and spacecraft to ground stations.

### Q: When and how was TDRS-7 launched?
A: TDRS-7 was launched on July 13, 1995, using the Space Shuttle (STS-70) from the Kennedy Space Center. It utilized an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS-26) to reach its operational orbit.

### Q: Who built and operates TDRS-7?
A: The satellite was manufactured by TRW Inc. and is operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

## Why It Matters
TDRS-7 plays a vital role in NASA's space communications infrastructure as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). This system revolutionized spaceflight communications by allowing for near-continuous contact with orbiting spacecraft, such as the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station, without relying on a global network of ground stations.

By occupying a geosynchronous orbit, TDRS-7 acts as a relay hub, significantly increasing the bandwidth and availability of data transmission for scientific and mission-critical operations. Its deployment on STS-70 in 1995 helped bolster the network's redundancy and capability, ensuring that data from low Earth orbit could be transmitted seamlessly to Earth. As a "Tracking and Data Relay Satellite," it specifically addresses the logistical problem of line-of-sight communication blockages caused by the Earth's curvature.

## Notable For
- Being the seventh satellite in the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite series (designated TDRS-G prior to launch).
- Launching aboard the Space Shuttle mission STS-70.
- Utilizing an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS-26) to achieve geosynchronous orbit after deployment from the Shuttle.
- Having a substantial physical presence with a width of 14.2 meters and a length of 17.3 meters.
- Operating with a nominal power output of 1,700 watts.

## Body

### Mission and Deployment
TDRS-7 was launched on July 13, 1995, from the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B. The launch vehicle was the Space Shuttle, specifically mission STS-70. As is standard for TDRS satellites launched via the Shuttle during this era, it was equipped with an Inertial Upper Stage (designated IUS-26) to boost it from the Shuttle's cargo bay into its final geosynchronous orbit.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite was manufactured by TRW Inc. and has a launch mass of 2,108 kilograms. Its design features a width of 14.2 meters and a length of 17.3 meters. To power its communication payloads, TDRS-7 has a nominal power output of 1,700 watts.

### System Context
TDRS-7 is an instance of the "Tracking and Data Relay Satellite" class. It is part of the broader Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS), which is operated by NASA. In the sequence of TDRS satellites, it was preceded by TDRS-6 and followed by TDRS-8. The satellite is assigned the COSPAR ID 1995-035B and the Satellite Catalog Number 23613.

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## 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/)