Uncrewed spacecraftLost

TDRS-2 spacecraft

Geostationary tracking and data-relay satellite

TDRS-2 spacecraft was a about 5,000 pounds (2,270 kilograms) with deployed antennas NASA communications platform carrying s-band multiple-access array, steerable s-band and ku-band single-access antennas, telemetry, command, and station-keeping systems. TDRS-B and its Inertial Upper remained in Challenger's payload bay when the and crew were lost seventy-three seconds after liftoff, delaying completion of the relay network and closure of older ground stations.

Uncrewed spacecraft dossier

Flight profile

Launch: January 28, 1986

Vehicle record

Flights: 1 documented mission
First flight: TDRS-2
Final flight: TDRS-2
Operator: NASA Space Network
Launch vehicle: Space Shuttle Challenger
Mass: about 5,000 pounds (2,270 kilograms) with deployed antennas
Destination: Not reached
Payload: S-band multiple-access array, steerable S-band and Ku-band single-access antennas, telemetry, command, and station-keeping systems
Outcome: Lost with Challenger during launch

Sources

NASA: Challenger and the Loss of TDRS-B: TDRS-2 NASA: Challenger and the Loss of TDRS-B NASA: Tracking and Data Relay Satellite Generations NASA: The TDRS Era Began During Challenger's Maiden Voyage NASA: STS-51-L NASA Space Shuttle Missions Summary (TM-2011-216142)

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