Comparison of the TDF satellites.
The TDF satellites were high power European DBS birds, designed to serve Germany. TDF 1 was damaged during launch, and was rapidy retired. Both are now out of service, and forlornly circling in junk orbits.
The main satellite comparison index
| Satellite: | TDF 1 | TDF 2 |
| . | (note 1) | . |
| Launch | 28 / 10 / 1988 | 24 / 7 / 1990 |
| Launch Location | Kourou | Kourou |
| Launch Mass (kg) | 2100 | 2100 |
| Expected Lifetime (years) | 7 | 7 |
| Power Consumption (watts) | 4500 | 4500 |
| Transponder Capacity at launch | 5 (+1 spare) | 5 (+1 spare) |
| TWTA Output (watts) | 230 | 230 |
| Transponder Bandwidth (MHz) | 27 | 27 |
| Channels (MHz) | 11700-12100 | 11700-12100 |
| Current Location | junk
orbit (note 2) |
junk
orbit (note 3) |
| Decommission Date | 10 / 1988 | 5 / 1999 |
| Manufacturer / Spacecraft type | Aerospatiale Spacebus-300 | Aerospatiale Spacebus-300 |
| Stabilisation type | 3-axis | 3-axis |
Notes
1 Out of service mid October 1988 with stability problems. Transponder 1 destroyed by propellant leak.
2 had been at 18.9W
3 18.9W from July 1990 - July 1997. Moved to 36E October 1997 - May 1999
TDF 1
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