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The Compton Gamma Ray Observatory had a mass at launch of 15,713 kg including 1920 kg of hydrazine fuel. Source: Jonathan's Space Report Note: This is the record-holder based on my current survey, but it will probably be replaced by a new selection as time goes on. |
Un-manned Satellites:
Jonathan's Space Report, May 15, 2000.
"On
May 14, Compton was in a 482 x 487 km x 28.5 deg orbit. The
observatory was launched in April 1991 on mission STS-37. Launch mass
was 15622 kg (Shuttle Operational Data Book; the press kit gives 15,713
kg); different sources give the hydrazine
load as 1822 kg or 1920 kg, so
the dry mass is at most 13800 kg. "
Heaviest communications satellite:
DirectV-7S - Heaviest commercial satellite into GEO orbit - 5,483 kg [SpaceRef.com, May 4, 2004]
Thuraya-1 - Heaviest communication satellite ca 2000 - 5,250 kg [Boeing Press Release]
Envisat - Heaviest launched by Ariane 5 by 2002, mass= 8,211 kg [Arianespace.com]
Heaviest military satellites:
Improved Crystal (KH-12) - USA imaging satellite - 19,600 kg [Dan's History]
Lacrosse - USA imaging satellite - 26,000 ? kg [Dans History]
Lacrosse - USA radar imaging satellite - 14,500 kg [Gunthers Space Page]
Manned satellites:
Skylab - Launched in one piece - 88.900kg [World Almanac]
Salut-1 - space station - 18,600 kg [World Almanac]
These were launched as multiple pieces and assembled in orbit:
The MIR space station had a total mass of 120,000 kg
International Space Station as of January 26, 2005 - 183,283 kg [Wikipedia]