The MST-500 from General Dynamics Mission Systems is a Satellite Transponder with a transmitter operating frequency range of 2200-2300 MHz and a receiver operating frequency range of 1760-2120 MHz. This S-band transponder has a telemetry data rates of 1k – 512k bps and a command data rate of 1 or 2 Kbps. It has a frequency stability of less than 0.5 ppm and a noise figure of 2.5 dB. The transponder supports SGLS and USB receive modes and modulation formats such as AM, FSK, and BPSK. It requires a DC supply power of 21–36 V and has a power consumption of 44 - 46 Watts (full duplex). The MST-500 has a mass of 2.72 kg and measures 9.40 x 7.30 x 2.30 inches. It has a radiation tolerance of up to 100 kRad and is used to provide reliable earth-to-space craft and spacecraft-to-spacecraft communications.
