1995-F04
The Gemstar DSS-1 (Vitasat 1) satellite was the test payload for the demonstration flight of the Lockheed Launch Vehicle. The three stage vehicle had a Castor 120 first stage, an Orbus 21D second stage, and a Rocket Research Corp. Orbit Adjust Module (OAM). Planned orbit was 667 x 667 km x 88 deg. Gemstar/Vitasat was built for Volunteers in Technical Assistance, Inc (VITA) of Arlington, Virginia. It was also to be used part of the time by CTA; CTA referred to it as Gemstar and VITA called it VITASAT. Toward the end of first stage propulsion, the rocket began oscillating when thrust vector control malfunctioned due to a fire in the aft area. During the coast period an inertial measurement unit also failed and the vehicle went off course, although fairing and first stage separation and second stage ignition went as planned. The satellite was destroyed with the rocket three minutes after launch at an altitude of 147 km.
| Gemstar 1 | |||
| Date | Time | Event | Orbit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Aug 15 | 2230 | Launch by LLV-1 | V SLC6 |
| 2230 | Fire in aft area (T+0:13) | ||
| 2231 | TVC control error, pitchup (T+1:20) | ||
| 2231 | Castor 120 cutoff (T+1:30) | ||
| Coast period | |||
| 2232 | IMU attitude lost (T+2:07), on wrong trajectory | ||
| 2232 | Payload fairing jettison (T+2:20) | ||
| 2232 | Castor 120 sep (T+2:30) | ||
| 2232 | Orbus 21D TIG (T+2:30) | ||
| 2233 | RSO destruct (T+2:40) | ||
Payload:
- UHF 150 MHz/400MHz comm payload
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