The OV4 1R and OV4 1T (Orbiting Vehicle 4) satellites were an experiment to test the feasibility of using the ionosphere's F-layer as a wave guidance for HF and VHF transmissions between satellites out of line of sight of each other ("Whispering Gallery").
The 109 kg OV-1T (Transmitter) carried transmitters operating at 20 MHz, 34 MHz and 46 MHz and incorporated a small rocket motor to ensure separation from OV4-1R.
The 136 kg OV4-1R satellite carried receiving equipment.
A second set of OV4-"Whispering Gallery" satellites was to be launched in
1967 as OV4-2 but the programme had been cancelled along with the cancellation of the MOL
programme.
| Nation: | USA |
|---|---|
| Type / Application: | Experimental |
| Operator: | USAF |
| Contractors: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Configuration: | |
| Propulsion: | |
| Lifetime: | |
| Mass: | 136 kg (#1R); 109 kg (#1T) |
| Orbit: | 298 km x 305 km, 32.82° |
| Satellite | Date | LS | Launcher | Remarks: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OV4 1R | 03.11.1966 | CC LC-40 | Titan-3C | with OV4 3, OV1 6, OV4 1T, Gemini B * | |
| OV4 1T | 03.11.1966 | CC LC-40 | Titan-3C | with OV4 3, OV1 6, OV4 1R, Gemini B * | |
| OV4 2R | cancelled | ||||
| OV4 2T | cancelled |
| Further OV missions: |
Last update: 27.09.2009
Contact: gunter.krebs@skyrocket.de
© Gunter Dirk Krebs