LES-3

Lincoln Experimental Satellite 3, also known as LES-3, was a communications satellite, the third of nine in the Lincoln Experimental Satellite. Launched by the United States Air Force (USAF) on 21 Dec 1965, it was stranded in a Geostationary Transfer Orbit rather than its planned circular high orbit. Despite this, LES-3 returned good data on communications propagation in the UHF band.

LES-3

Mission type	Communications satellite
Operator	USAF
COSPAR ID	1965-108D
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer	Lincoln Laboratory
Launch mass	16 kg (35 lb)[1]
Start of mission
Launch date	21 December 1965, 14:00:01
Rocket	Titan IIIC
Launch site	Cape Canaveral LC41
End of mission
Last contact	Late summer 1967
Decay date	6 April 1968
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric
Regime	Highly elliptical
Eccentricity	0.71486
Perigee altitude	195 km (121 mi)
Apogee altitude	33,177.00 km (20,615.23 mi)
Inclination	26.4°
Period	581.80 minutes[1]
Epoch	21 December 1965 15:36:00
LES

Background

After the successful development and deployment of Project West Ford, a passive communications system consisting of orbiting copper needles, MIT's Lincoln Laboratory turned to improving active-satellite space communications. In particular, Lincoln aimed to increase the transmission capability of communications satellites ("downlink"), which was necessarily constrained by their limited size. After receiving a charter in 1963 to build and demonstrate military space communications, Lincoln focused on a number of engineering solutions to the downlink problem including improved antennas, better stabilization of satellites in orbit (which would benefit both downlink and "uplink"—communications from the ground), high-efficiency systems of transmission modulation/de-modulation, and cutting-edge error-checking techniques.[2]^:81–83

These experimental solutions were deployed in a series of nine spacecraft called Lincoln Experimental Satellites (LES). Concurrent with their development, Lincoln also developed the Lincoln Experimental Terminals (LET), ground stations that used interference-resistant signaling techniques that allowed use of communications satellites by up to hundreds of users at a time, mobile or stationary, without involving elaborate systems for synchronization and centralized control.[2]^:81–83

The first experimental solution, demonstrated by LES-1, LES-2, and LES-4, involved communications in the "X-band", the military's SHF (super high frequency) band (225 to 400 MHz)[3]^:9–1 because solid-state equipment allowed for comparatively high output in this band, and also because the band had been previously used by West Ford.[2]^:83–84

As the SHF band was not usable for small, tactical deployment as it required large terminals and ground antennas, Lincoln Laboratories also explored using the UHF band for communications. After an initial survey program, in which aircraft were flown over cities and varied landscapes to measure ambient radio noise, LES-3 was developed specifically to explore propagation phenomena between satellites and airborne terminals. Because the Earth's surface was mirror-smooth relative to the one-meter wavelength of median UHF frequencies, transmissions could be sent from satellite to airborne terminals by multiple paths. By determining the likely parameters of signal delays, Lincoln engineers could create robust systems that accommodated for multipath propagation effects.[2]^:84

Spacecraft design

LES-3 was produced quickly using technology from the three LES X-band satellites (-1, -2, and -4). Its primary function was simply to broadcast continuously[2] at a frequency of 232.9 MHz.[3]^:9–27

Polyhedral in shape, and 5 ft (1.5 m) across, the solar powered[4] satellite utilized the frame, power system, and power amplifiers designed for LES-1 and 2 and was similar in appearance to its predecessors.[3]^:9–31 It differed in its omission of optical sensors, and the substitution of a UHF monopole antenna projecting from the top and bottom of the satellite's rectangular top and bottom for LES-1/2's X-band antennas. As a result, LES-3 massed just 16 kilograms (35 lb),[1] about half of its predecessors.[5][6]

The satellite was spin stabilized.[3]^:9–31

Mission and results

Titan 3C launch 22 Dec 1965

LES-3, along with LES-4, OV2-3, and OSCAR 4 was launched on the third Titan IIIC test flight[7] on 22 December 1965 at 14:00:01 UT from Cape Canaveral LC41[8] just one second behind schedule. From an initial parking orbit of 194 kilometres (121 mi), the Titan's Transtage boosted into a transfer orbit pending a final burn to circularize its orbit. However, this final burn, scheduled for T+6:03:04 after liftoff,[7] never occurred due to a leaking valve in the booster's attitude control system.[9]^:417:422 LES-3, LES-4, and OSCAR 4 were released from the Transtage, albeit much later than intended,;[7] OV2-3 remained attached and did not operate.[9]^:422

Despite being placed in an unexpected orbit, spinning at 140 RPM inclined about 15° to the orbital plane (as opposed to perpendicularly, as had been planned), LES-3 functioned properly, providing signals necessary for UHF propagation measurements.[3]^:9–20

The satellite reentered on 6 April 1968,[10] earlier than planned, but not before all desired testing had been successfully completed[3]^:9–20 in late summer 1967.[3]^:9–21

Legacy and status

The LES program continued through nine satellites, culminating in the launch of LES-8 and LES-9 on 14 March 1976.[2]^:88

References

1. "LES-3". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
2. Andrew J. Butrica, ed. (1007). Beyond the Ionosphere: Fifty Years of Satellite Communication. Washington D.C.: NASA History Office. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
3. NASA COMPENDIUM OF SATELLITE COMMUNCATIONS PROGRAMS (PDF). Greenbelt, MD: Goddard Spaceflight Center. 1973.
4. "Third Titan 3A Vehicle Carries Experimental Comsat into Orbit". Aviation Week and Space Technology. New York: McGraw Hill Publishing Company. February 16, 1965. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
5. "LES-1". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
6. "LES-2". NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
7. "Titan 3 Transtage Malfunctions, Fails to Achieve Circular Orbit". Aviation Week and Space Technology. New York: McGraw Hill Publishing Company. December 27, 1965. p. 27. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
8. McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathon's Space Report. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
9. Powell, Joel W.; Richards, G.R. (1987). "The Orbiting Vehicle Series of Satellites". Journal of the British Interplanetary Society. Vol. 40. London: British Interplanetary Society.
10. McDowell, Jonathan. "Satellite Catalog". Jonathon's Space Report. Retrieved February 11, 2020.