page_title: TDRS-5
section_title: Deployment
hierarchical_section_title: TDRS-5 / History / Deployment
caption_attribution_description: English: The above image represents what the current Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) configuration is as March 2019 with 10 in-orbit TDRS in space (four first generation, three second generation and three third generation satellites). After 20+ years of service, two of the first generation TDRS are retired (TDRS-1 and TDRS-4) and super-synced into an orbit about 300 miles higher than geosynchronous (GEO) where the operational fleet sits.
context_page_description: TDRS-5, known before launch as TDRS-E, is an American communications satellite, of first generation, which is operated by NASA as part of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. It was constructed by TRW is based on a custom satellite bus which was used for all seven first generation TDRS satellites.
context_section_description: The twin-stage solid-propellent Inertial Upper Stage made two burns. The first stage burn occurred shortly after deployment, from Atlantis, and placed the satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). Around six hours later, it reached apogee, and the second stage fired, placing TDRS-E into geosynchronous orbit. At this point, it received its operational designation, TDRS-5. It was placed at a position over the equator, 174.0° West of the Greenwich Meridian, from where it provides communications services to spacecraft in Earth orbit, including the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. Some of its transponders are operated  by the Columbia Communications Corporation.
caption: Location of TDRS as of 18 March 2019
exif: {}