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Intelsat 3

Spacecraft · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

Intelsat 3
Intelsat 3
Credit: Intelsat

American communications satellite. Intelsat 3 spacecraft were used to relay commercial global telecommunications including live TV. Built by TRW for Intelsat, International. Launched 1968 - 1970.

Three of the 8 satellites in the series (F1, F5, F8) were unusable due to launch vehicle failures, and most of the remainder did not achieve their desired lifetimes. F2 operated for 1.5 years, F3 was partially operational for 7 years, F4 lasted 3 years, F6 survived 2 years, and F7 remained usable for 16 years. Spacecraft: Spin stabilized with a despun antenna structure (34 inch tall antenna). Hydrazine propulsion system with 4 thrusters and 4 tanks. Passive thermal control. Body mounted solar cells produced 178 W peak, 9 AH NiCd batteries. Payload: Two transponders using 12 watt TWTA amplifiers. Multiple access.1500 voice circuits or 4 TV channels.

More at: Intelsat 3.

Related

Country
USA
Engines
SVM-2
Launch Vehicles
Thor, Delta, Thor Delta M
Projects
Intelsat
Agency
TRW
Bibliography
126, 2, 6, 5019, 12663

Photo Gallery

  • Intelsat 3 F-2
    Intelsat 3 F-2
    Credit: Manufacturer Image

Chronology

8 events

1968 September 19

00:09 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta M. FAILURE: Control system failure; destroyed by range safety.. Failed Stage: G.

1968 December 19

00:32 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta M.
  • Intelsat 3 F-2 - . Mass: 293 kg (645 lb). Nation: International. Agency: INTELSAT. Program: Intelsat. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Intelsat 3. Completed Operations Date: 1977-01-25 . USAF Sat Cat: 3623 . COSPAR: 1968-116A. Apogee: 37,111 km (23,059 mi). Perigee: 35,984 km (22,359 mi). Inclination: 15.10 deg. Period: 1,475.20 min.

    Over Brazil. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 24 deg W in 1969-1970. As of 3 September 2001 located at 96.04 deg E drifting at 9.557 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 48.04W drifting at 9.553W degrees per day.

1969 February 6

00:39 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta M.
  • Intelsat 3 F-3 - . Mass: 293 kg (645 lb). Nation: International. Agency: INTELSAT. Program: Intelsat. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Intelsat 3. Completed Operations Date: 1979-12-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 3674 . COSPAR: 1969-011A. Apogee: 35,803 km (22,246 mi). Perigee: 35,767 km (22,224 mi). Inclination: 6.10 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min.

    Stationed at 63 deg E. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Pacific Ocean at 174 deg E in 1969; over the Indian Ocean 062 deg E in 1969-1975. Last known longitude (24 May 1979) 66.72 deg E drifting at 0.017 deg E per day.

1969 May 22

02:00 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta M.
  • Intelsat 3 F-4 - . Mass: 293 kg (645 lb). Nation: International. Agency: INTELSAT. Program: Intelsat. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Intelsat 3. Completed Operations Date: 1977-05-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 3947 . COSPAR: 1969-045A. Apogee: 39,752 km (24,700 mi). Perigee: 39,486 km (24,535 mi). Inclination: 6.10 deg. Period: 1,636.30 min.

    Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Pacific Ocean at 175 deg E in 1969-1972; ? 1972-1977; over the Pacific Ocean 166 deg W in 1977. Last known longitude (20 May 1977) 161.73 deg E drifting at 44.175 deg W per day.Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1969 July 26

02:06 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta M. FAILURE: Third stage failure; left in unusable orbit.. Failed Stage: 3.
  • Intelsat 3 F-5 - . Mass: 269 kg (593 lb). Nation: International. Agency: INTELSAT. Program: Intelsat. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Intelsat 3. Decay Date: 1988-10-14 . USAF Sat Cat: 4051 . COSPAR: 1969-064A. Apogee: 433 km (269 mi). Perigee: 211 km (131 mi). Inclination: 30.20 deg. Period: 91.00 min. Third stage failure; left in unusable orbit. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C)..

1970 January 15

00:16 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta M.
  • Intelsat 3 F-6 - . Mass: 293 kg (645 lb). Nation: International. Agency: INTELSAT. Program: Intelsat. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Intelsat 3. Completed Operations Date: 1977-05-13 . USAF Sat Cat: 4297 . COSPAR: 1970-003A. Apogee: 36,126 km (22,447 mi). Perigee: 36,079 km (22,418 mi). Inclination: 14.30 deg. Period: 1,452.30 min.

    Stationed at 336 deg E. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 25 deg W in 1970; over the Atlantic Ocean 30 deg W in 1970-1971; over the Atlantic Ocean 20 deg W in 1971 Apr-1972 Mar; over the Indian Ocean 64 deg E in 1972-1974; over the Pacific Ocean 177 deg W in 1975 As of 5 September 2001 located at 163.49 deg E drifting at 4.024 deg W per day. As of 2007 Feb 27 located at 47.49E drifting at 4.027W degrees per day.

1970 April 23

00:46 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta M.
  • Intelsat 3 F-7 - . Mass: 293 kg (645 lb). Nation: International. Agency: INTELSAT. Program: Intelsat. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Intelsat 3. Completed Operations Date: 1972-05-01 . USAF Sat Cat: 4376 . COSPAR: 1970-032A. Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Perigee: 35,775 km (22,229 mi). Inclination: 0.90 deg. Period: 1,435.90 min.

    Stationed at 341 deg E. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean at 19 deg W in 1970-1971 Last known longitude (1 January 1972) L 139.45 deg E drifting at 0.022 deg E per day. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1970 July 23

23:23 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC17A. LV Family: Thor. Launch Vehicle: Thor Delta M.
  • Intelsat 3 F-8 - . Mass: 270 kg (590 lb). Nation: International. Agency: INTELSAT. Program: Intelsat. Class: Communications. Type: Civilian communications satellite. Spacecraft: Intelsat 3. Completed Operations Date: 1970-07-25 . USAF Sat Cat: 4478 . COSPAR: 1970-055A. Apogee: 36,599 km (22,741 mi). Perigee: 33,877 km (21,050 mi). Inclination: 12.10 deg. Period: 1,408.20 min.

    Unusable orbit. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). As of 28 August 2001 located at 175.58 deg E drifting at 7.155 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 110.93W drifting at 7.169E degrees per day.