Editing Communications Technology Satellite (section)

{{Infobox spaceflight
| name              = Communications Technology Satellite
| names_list        = CTS<br/>Hermes

<!--image of the spacecraft/mission-->
| image             = COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE CTS - NARA - 17445977.jpg
| image_caption     = <!--image caption-->
| image_size        = 275px

<!--Basic details-->
| mission_type      = [[Communications satellite|Communications]]
| operator          = [[NASA]]
| COSPAR_ID         = 1976-004A
| SATCAT            = 08585
| website           = <!--Homepage of the craft/mission, OFFICIAL PAGES ONLY-->
| mission_duration  = 2 years (planned)<br/>{{time interval|17 January 1976|October 1979|show=ym|sep=,}} (achieved)

<!--Spacecraft properties-->
| manufacturer      = [[Communications Research Centre Canada]]
| launch_mass       = 680 kg
| dimensions        = <!--body dimensions and solar array span-->
| power             = 1200 watts

<!--Launch details-->
| launch_date       = 17 January 1976, 23:28:00 [[UTC]]
| launch_rocket     = [[Delta 2000|Delta-2914]] (D-119)
| launch_site       = [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]], [[Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17|LC-17B]]
| launch_contractor = [[McDonnell Douglas]]

| entered_service   = 21 May 1976
| last_contact      = October 1979

<!--orbit parameters-->
| orbit_reference   = [[Geocentric orbit]]
| orbit_regime      = [[Geosynchronous orbit]]
| orbit_longitude   = 116.0° West
| orbit_epoch       = 17 January 1976
| apsis             = gee

<!--transponder parameters-->
| trans_band        = [[Ku band|K<sub>u</sub> band]]
| trans_frequency   = <!--specific frequencies-->
| trans_bandwidth   = <!--bandwidth-->
| trans_capacity    = <!--capacity of the transponders-->
| trans_coverage    = <!--area covered-->
| trans_TWTA        = <!--TWTA output power-->
| trans_EIRP        = <!--equivalent isotropic power-->
| trans_HPBW        = <!--half-power beam width-->
}}

The '''Communications Technology Satellite''' ('''CTS'''), known as '''Hermes''',<ref name="Display"/> was an experimental high-power direct broadcast [[communications satellite]]. It was a joint effort of [[Communication Canada|Canadian Department of Communications]], who designed and built the satellite, [[NASA]] who tested, launched and operated the satellite, and [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) who provided the 1200 watts [[Photovoltaic module|solar panel]]s and other devices. The three agencies shared the satellite and the data from the experiments.

Although the launch of the [[ATS-6]] spacecraft in 1974 marked the end of NASA's program of experimental communications satellites. NASA participated in a Canadian satellite venture known initially as "Cooperative Applications Satellite-C" and renamed Hermes. This joint effort involved NASA and the Canadian Department of Communications. NASA's [[Glenn Research Center|Lewis Research Center]] provided the satellite's high-power communications payload. Canada designed and built the spacecraft; NASA tested, launched, and operated it. Also, the European Space Agency provided one of the low-power [[traveling-wave tube]]s and other equipment. Hermes was launched 17 January 1976 and operated until October 1979.<ref name="Hermes">{{cite web|url=https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4217/contents.htm|title=SP-4217 Beyond The Ionosphere: Fifty Years of Satellite Communication, chapter 6, 1958-1995|publisher=NASA|date=1997|access-date=22 June 2020}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>