TRS Mk3, Mk2, Mk1, OV3, ORS Mk1, Mk2, Mk3 (left to tight) [NASA]
Official name ERS 16
Alternative name ERS 16
Cospar ID 1966-051C
Norad ID 2202
Launch date 1966-06-09
Launch site AFWTR
Launch vehicle Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D
Country/Organization USA
Type application Experimental
Operator US Air Force (USAF)
RCS size UNKNOWN
Decay date 1967-03-12
Shape Oct Cyl
Mass (kg) 5
Diameter (m) 0.2
Height (m) 0.2
Span (m^2) 0.2
Contractors TRW Systems Group
Equipment various: see above
Propulsion None
Configuration Octahedron (ORS Mk.2)
Power Solar cells

From 1962 the US Air Force launched a series very small technology satellites called ERS (Environmental Research Satellites). The satellites were built by TRW Systems Group for the United States Air Force Office of Aerospace Research (AFOAR). Depending on the shape, these satellites are also referred to as the Tetrahedral Research Satellite (TRS) or Octahedral Research Satellite (ORS).

The basic configuration of the ORS Mk.2 spacecrafts was a regular octahedron measuring 23 cm on a side. Solar cells mounted on each side of the faces provide sufficient electrical power to operate the experiments and the telemetry system when the satellite is illuminated by the sun. No internal battery or command system were provided. The satellite subsystems consisted of electrical power, antenna, telemetry, experiments, and mechanical structure.

Payloads:

  • ORS 1 (ERS 15): carried out cold welding experiments using eight different material combinations which were fused using actuators, 5 kg
  • ORS 2 (ERS 16): carried a cold welding experiment consisting of five metal to metal tests using actuators, 5 kg
  • ERS 23: Classified
  • ERS 24: Classified
  • ERS 25: Classified
Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
ERS 16 1966-051C 1966-06-09 AFWTR Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D with RTS-1 1, SECOR 6
ERS 15 1966-077C 1966-08-19 AFWTR Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D with RTS-1 2, SECOR 7