Home - Search - Browse - Alphabetic Index: 0- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9
A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z
IDCSP
IDSC-P
IDSC-P
Credit: USAF
American military communications satellite. Communication satellite built by Philco-Ford for USAF, USA. Launched 1966 - 1968.

AKA: Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program;Initial Defense Communictions Satellite Program. Status: Operational 1966. First Launch: 1966-06-16. Last Launch: 1968-06-13. Number: 35 . Gross mass: 45 kg (99 lb).

Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP) spacecraft were launched in the 1960's to provide America's first geosynchronous orbit communications system.

In late October 1964, Philco-Ford Corporation was assigned prime contractor responsibilities to design, develop and assemble both the satellites and the multiple-launch dispensers for the Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP). Under the overall direction of the Defense Communications Agency, the space hardware portion of the program was the responsibility of the Air Force Space Systems Division, assisted by the Aerospace Corporation. The Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program provided the Pentagon with its first geosynchronous communications system. IDCSP satellites were spin-stabilized 26 sided polygons, 86 cm in diameter, covered with solar panels, and had a mass of 45 kg. 8 were dispensed on a single Titan 3C orbit in slightly sub-synchronous orbits, where they would drift about thirty degrees per day; the idea was that a backup was always visible to the earth station if one failed. On June 16, 1966, an Air Force Titan III-C rocket launched 7 IDCSP satellites (plus a gravity-gradient experimental satellite) into near-synchronous equatorial orbit at an altitude of approximately 34,000 km to initiate the network-19 months from the start of hardware design. On January 18, 1967, 8 additional satellites were launched and on July 1, 1967, 4 more were sent into orbit. IDCSP satellites transmitted reconnaissance photos and other data during the Viet Nam War. They were succeeded by NATO and DSCS true geosynchronous satellites.


More at: IDCSP.

Family: Communications, Geosynchronous orbit, Military communications sat. Country: USA. Launch Vehicles: Titan, Titan IIIC. Launch Sites: Cape Canaveral, Cape Canaveral LC41. Agency: USAF, Aeronutronics. Bibliography: 126, 2, 279, 6, 12640.
Photo Gallery

IDCSPIDCSP
Credit: Manufacturer Image


IDSC-PIDSC-P
Credit: USAF


IDCSPIDCSP
Credit: Manufacturer Image



1961 October 3 - . LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Atlas Centaur.
1962 January 31 - .
1962 May 23 - .
1962 June 11 - .
1962 July 5 - .
1962 November 26 - .
1963 June 1 - .
1964 July 1 - . LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIIC.
1964 July 15 - .
1964 October - .
1964 October 20 - . LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIIC.
1964 October 28 - .
1966 June 16 - . 14:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC41. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIIC.
1966 August 26 - . 13:59 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC41. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIIC. FAILURE: Payload fairing broke up 78 seconds after launch.. Failed Stage: S.
1967 January 18 - . 14:19 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC41. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIIC.
1967 July 1 - . 13:15 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC41. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIIC.
1968 June 13 - . 14:03 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC41. LV Family: Titan. Launch Vehicle: Titan IIIC.

Back to top of page
Home - Search - Browse - Alphabetic Index: 0- 1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9
A- B- C- D- E- F- G- H- I- J- K- L- M- N- O- P- Q- R- S- T- U- V- W- X- Y- Z
© 1997-2019 Mark Wade - Contact
© / Conditions for Use