Spacecraft systems design trade-offs for the Earth Resources Technology Satellite.

The Earth Resources Technology Satellite Program's use of flight proven hardware in the design of a satellite for earth sensor payload support and data handling is discussed. The use of an existing satellite as the building block around which additional support systems such as the orbit adjust system, the redundant wideband telemetry systems, the second regulated power system, and the quad redundant command system is analyzed. System performance seen in orbit vs design objectives are discussed to point up the success of the design approach chosen. Also discussed are the schedule and cost benefits derived from the use of previously developed hardware with additional subsystems as required to meet program requirements.