Boeing 601
The Boeing 601 is a communications satellite bus designed in 1985 and introduced in 1987 by Hughes Space and Communications Company. It was designed for such applications as direct television broadcasting to small receiving antennas, very small aperture terminals for private business networks and mobile communications. The series was extremely popular in the 1990s, with more than 84 purchased by customers around the world.
The more advanced 601HP derivative was introduced in 1995. Hughes, and the 601 platforms, were acquired by Boeing in 2000.
The last commercial 601 satellite was ordered in 2001 and launched in 2004. The NASA Space Communications and Navigation Program Office in December 2007 selected the BSS-601HP for its third generation TDRS spacecraft, adding the two 15-foot diameter steerable antennas. The TDRS-M satellite, launched on August 18, 2017, became the last 601 satellite to reach orbit.
Background
The Boeing-601 model was Hughes’ first major design and development for a communications satellite with three-axis, or body stabilization. All previous Hughes satellite models had been cylindrical spacecraft that were spin-stabilized at 50 revolutions per minute.Design of the Boeing-601 began in 1985, with full-scale development following two years later. The new satellite's first official public presentation took place at the Telecom 87 conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
Upgrades/Variants
Boeing-601HP A high-power version of the standard model Boeing-601, it can carry payloads twice as powerful as the classic Boeing 601 models. Technology innovations since its original 1985 design, in gallium arsenide solar cells, advanced battery technology, and xenon ion propulsion system option facilitated this upgrade. The 601HP can feature as many as 60 transponders and provide up to 10,000 watts. The 601HP made its debut in 1995, with upgrades in 2000 to address design and component failures.Ultra High Frequency Follow On The U.S. Navy began replacing and upgrading its ultra-high frequency satellite communications network during the 1990s with a constellation of customized HS-601 satellites known as the UFO series. These satellites support the Navy's global communications network, serving ships at sea and a variety of other U.S. military fixed and mobile terminals. They are compatible with ground- and sea-based terminals already in service. Eleven UFO satellites were launched between 1993 and 2003. The UHF Follow-On constellation replaced the Fleet Satellite Communications and the Hughes-built Leasat spacecraft.
Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system , operated by NOAA, selected the standard Boeing 601 bus for its third generation weather satellites, GOES-13, GOES-14, and GOES-15. This series featured a sun-pointed extreme ultraviolet sensor, a Solar X-Ray Imager, and space environment monitoring instruments for their Space Weather role.
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite The Second generation satellites used the standard 601 bus, while the follow-on Third generation satellites use the 601HP bus, after design changes addressing satellite failures in 1990s. The TDRS version features two 15-foot-diameter steerable graphite composite mesh antennas. These antennas are partially curled-up like a taco shell to fit within the Atlas/Centaur payload fairing.
Design
Structure
The 601 bus is divided into two modules. The first module houses the propulsion system, batteries, and electronics for the bus, and bears launch vehicle loads. The second module contains shelves carrying the communications equipment, payload electronics, and heat pipes. Solar arrays, reflectors, and antenna feeds are mounted to the payload module.Payload
The standard 601 platform supports up to 48 transponders and provides up to 4,800 watts of power. The 601HP supports up to 60 transponders and provides up to 10,000 watts.Failures
A significant number of Boeing 601s have experienced failures in orbit, some resulting in complete failure of the satellite.Spacecraft Control Processor (SCP)
An unconfirmed number of 601s launched prior to August 1997 have a design flaw in their SCPs, where a tin-plated relay forms crystalline "whiskers" under certain specific conditions. These whiskers eventually caused an electrical short. Each satellite contains two SCPs and the backup unit will take control in the event of a failure of the primary unit. In some cases, both SCPs have failed, rendering the spacecraft unusable. A notable example was the Galaxy IV satellite. At least eight 601s have experienced SCP failures; four of which were double failures resulting in total loss of the satellite. Hughes switched to nickel plating on later 601s to resolve this problem, at the expense of payload weight.Batteries
Some 601HPs have experienced problems with their batteries, resulting in a reduction of eclipse protection. This would require some transponders to be shut down during eclipse periods.Xenon Ion Propulsion System (XIPS)
Some Boeing-601 satellites featured the optional electronic propulsion system, called Xenon Ion Propulsion System or XIPS, for station keeping. Compared with traditional chemical propulsion systems, this xenon-based system is more efficient. With an XIPS on board, propellant mass on a satellite designed for 12 to 15 years of operations can be reduced by up to 90 percent. Customers using XIPS can either extend satellite life or increase payload capabilities while holding satellite weight constant.At least four satellites with XIPS propulsion have experienced partial or total failure of the XIPS system which significantly reduced the lifespan of the satellite.
Satellites based on the 601 and 601HP
| Current or last operator | Satellites |
| APT Satellite | Apstar 2 |
| Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company | AsiaSat 3S AsiaSat 4 |
| DirecTV | DIRECTV 1 DIRECTV 2 DIRECTV 3 DIRECTV 1R DIRECTV 4S |
| Indosat | Palapa C1 Palapa C2 |
| Intelsat | Intelsat 2 Intelsat 3R Galaxy 4R Intelsat 5 Intelsat 9 Galaxy 10R |
| JSAT Corporation | JCSAT-3 JCSAT-4 JCSAT-5 JCSAT-4A JCSAT-8 |
| Loral Space & Communications | Orion 3 |
| MEASAT | MEASAT-3 |
| NASA | TDRS-H TDRS-I TDRS-J TDRS-K TDRS-L TDRS-M |
| NOAA/NASA | GOES N GOES O GOES P |
| Optus | Optus B1 Optus B2 Optus B3 |
| PanAmSat | Galaxy IIIR Galaxy IV Galaxy VI Galaxy VIR Galaxy VIIIi Galaxy X Galaxy XR PAS-2 PAS-3 PAS-3 PAS-4 PAS-5 PAS-6B PAS-10 PAS-22 |
| Pendrell Corporation | |
| Satmex | Solaridad 1 Solaridad 2 Satmex 5 |
| SES S.A. | Astra 1C Astra 1D Astra 1E Astra 1F Astra 1G Astra 2A Astra 1H Astra 2C SES-7 |
| SKY Perfect JSAT Group | Superbird-C Superbird-B2 Superbird-6 |
| TerreStar Corporation | AMSC-1 |
| TMI Communications | MSAT-1 |
| United States Navy | Eleven UHF Follow-On spacecraft designated F1-F11 |