KSC-02pd1572

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-J (TDRS-J) is being offloaded at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility from an Air Force C-17 air cargo plane. It will be transferred to the Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 (SAEF-2). TDRS-J weighs 3,338 pounds, but at launch will weigh 7,031 pounds when fully fueled with its propellants consisting of monomethylhydrazine fuel and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer. The solar arrays, when deployed, will supply the spacecraft with up to 2,200 watts of power. TDRS-J is the third in the current series of three Tracking and Data Relay Satellites designed to replenish the existing on-orbit fleet of six spacecraft, the first of which was launched in 1983. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System is the primary source of space-to-ground voice, data and telemetry for the Space Shuttle. It also provides communications with the International Space Station and scientific spacecraft in low-earth orbit such as the Hubble Space Telescope, and launch support for some expendable vehicles. This new advanced series of satellites will extend the availability of TDRS communications services until approximately 2017.