Environmental Research Satellite

This article is about the 1960s United States Air Force satellite program. For the European satellite program also abbreviated ERS, see European Remote-Sensing Satellite. For the Operationally Responsive Space program, see Operationally Responsive Space Office § Satellites.

The Environmental Research Satellite (ERS, alternatively Earth Resources Satellite) program was a series of small satellites initially operated by the United States Air Force Office of Aerospace Research. Designed to be launched "piggyback" to other satellites during launch, detaching once in orbit, they were the smallest satellites launched to date—what would today be classified as microsatellites. 33 ERS satellites in six different series were launched between 1962 and 1971,[1] conducting scientific research and serving as test beds to investigate the reliability of new spacecraft components.[2]

The TRS and ORS families. From left to right: TRS Mk. 3, TRS Mk. 2, TRS Mk.1, an OV3 bus, ORS Mk. 1, ORS Mk. 2, ORS Mk. 3
The TRS and ORS families. From left to right: TRS Mk. 3, TRS Mk. 2, TRS Mk.1, an OV3 bus, ORS Mk. 1, ORS Mk. 2, ORS Mk. 3
  1. ^ Krebs, Gunter D. "TRS Mk. 1 (ERS)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  2. ^ Wade, Mark. "ERS". www.astronautix.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2021.