The next launch of an INTELSAT-III Commercial Communications Satellite is scheduled for 22 April 1970 at 2257 GMT (5:57 EST), from Cape Kennedy, Florida. The satellite will be stationed over the Atlantic Ocean. The INTELSAT satellites are launched on a reimbursable basis for the Communications Sate1 Ii te Corporation (COMSAT). The satellites are owned by the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (INTELSAT), a joint venture that includes 75 countries. COMSAT represents the United States in INTELSAT and acts as manager of the Consortium. The INTELSAT-III space and ground system consists of at least four spin stabilized spacecraft in synchronous orbits, telemetry and command ground stations, numerous communications earth stations, an operations center and a computation facility for determination of orbit corrections and attitude control. Each satellite provides 1200 two-way voice channels, has a design lifetime of 5 years and weighs approximately 640 pounds at lift-off (with fueled apogee engine). NASA is responsible for buying the Delta launch vehicle and launching the satellite into a geostationary transfer orbit. Consulting services are also provided by NASA to COMSAT and FCC in accordance with the COMSAT Act of 1962. NASA will be reimbursed about $5M dollars for each launch, including the cost of the launch vehicle. This does not include the cost of the satellite. COMSAT is responsible for the design and development of the spacecraft. COMSAT fires the apogee motor and positions the satellite on station, measures satellite performance, tests and aligns the system and coordinates the INTELSAT ground stations. By the end of 1970 more than 40 earth stations in 25 countries will be operating with the global satellite system. Many other stations are under construction or planned.
INTELSAT-III, F-7 Launch; Communications Satellite Corporation
1970
11 pages
Report
No indication
English
INTELSAT satellite scheduled for launch
NTRS | 1982
Planning for Satellite Communications INTELSAT
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1988
|