ATS 3

USA

Spacecraft n°:

USA satellite n°:

ATS= Application Technology Satellite

Launch data:

Designation	03029 / 67111A
Launch date	05 Nov 1967 - 23:37 UT
Launch site	CC, LC-12
Launch vehicle	Atlas-SLV3 Agena-D (#5103/AA25)
Mission	Meteorology experimentation
Geostationary orbit:
Perigee / Apogee	km
Eccentricity
Inclination	deg
Period	min

Carried advanced communications, meteorology, and navigation experiments. Provided the first color pictures of the Earth and proved the interest of maritime communications via satellite. Transmitted the first space communication between an Earth station and a plane on 21 Nov 1967 above the Atlantic.

Since 1980 the satellite transmit data to and from Antartica, especially the Internet.

Location:

Begin	End	Position
L: 5 Nov 1967		47°W
Jun 1988	...	105°W

Oldest satellite still station keeping

Would be an HS-306

Transponder frequency chart (MHz):

Uplink	Channel	Downlink
149.175	1	135.555
149.195	2	135.575
149.220	3	135.600
149.245	4	135.625
149.265	5	135.645

Ref.: #7, #15 - update: 07.02.06

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