Fleetsatcom 3

USA

Spacecraft n°:

USA satellite n°:

Also called OPS 6393

Launch data:

Designation:	11669 / 80004A
Launch date	18 Jan 1980
Launch site	CC, LC-36A
Launch vehicle	Atlas-SLV3D Centaur-D1AR (AC-49)
Mission	Military: telecommunications
Geostationary orbit	23°W, inclined

Spacecraft data:

Prime contractor	TRW
Operator
Platform
Mass at launch	2250 kg
Mass in orbit	1043 kg
Basic shape	Hexagonal
Dimension (m)	dia: 2.43m, high: 1.27m With a 4.88m diameter antenna
Solar array	13.2m
Stabilization	3-axis
DC power	BOL: 1500 W
Design lifetime	5 yrs

Decay:

Out of service:	Sep 1995
Cause:

Fleetsatcom's UHF-band (244-263 MHz)

Each satellite has 23 communications channels, 10 of which are used by the Navy for communications between its land forces, ships, and aircraft. The Air Force uses 12 of the channels as part of its satellite communications system for command and control of nuclear forces. One channel is reserved for U.S. national command authorities.

Ref: #15 - update: 07.01.10