Intelsat III F-2
| Mission type | Communications |
|---|---|
| Operator | Intelsat |
| COSPAR ID | 1968-116A |
| SATCAT № | 3623 |
| Mission duration |
5 years planned 1 1⁄2 years achieved |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Intelsat III |
| Manufacturer | TRW |
| Launch mass | 293 kilograms (646 lb) |
| BOL mass | 151 kilograms (333 lb) |
| Power | 183 watts |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | December 19, 1968, 00:32:00 UTC[1] |
| Rocket | Delta M |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral LC-17A |
| Contractor | NASA |
| End of mission | |
| Deactivated | 1971 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime |
Geosynchronous Now supersynchronous |
| Longitude | 24° west |
| Perigee | 38,438 kilometers (23,884 mi) |
| Apogee | 39,317 kilometers (24,430 mi) |
| Inclination | 13.73 degrees |
| Period | 26.60 hours |
| Epoch | February 7, 2014, 07:19:51 UTC[2] |
Intelsat III F-2 was a communications satellite operated by Intelsat. Launched in 1968 it was operated in geostationary orbit at a longitude of 24 degrees west for around eighteen months.[3]
Satellite
The second of eight Intelsat III satellites to be launched, Intelsat III F-2 was built by TRW. It was a 293-kilogram (646 lb) spacecraft, with its mass reducing to 151 kilograms (333 lb) by entry into service as it burned propellant to reach its final orbit. The satellite carried an SVM-2 apogee motor for propulsion and was equipped with two transponders powered by body-mounted solar cells generating 183 watts of power.[3] It was designed for a five-year service life.[4]
Launch
The launch of Intelsat III F-2 made use of a Delta M rocket flying from Launch Complex 17A at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The launch took place at 00:32:00 UTC on December 19, 1968, with the spacecraft entering a geosynchronous transfer orbit.[1] Intelsat III F-2 subsequently fired its apogee motor to achieve geostationary orbit. It was operated at a longitude of 24° west, over Brazil; however it ceased operations after only a year and a half in orbit, in mid-1971.[5]
Orbit
Intelsat III F-2 remains in orbit as a derelict satellite. As of February 7, 2014 it was in an orbit with a perigee of 38,438 kilometers (23,884 mi), an apogee of 39,317 kilometers (24,430 mi), inclination of 13.73 degrees and an orbital period of 26.60 hours.[2]
See also
References
- 1 2 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- 1 2 "INTELSAT 3-F2 Satellite details 1968-116A NORAD 3623". N2YO. February 7, 2014. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- 1 2 Wade, Mark. "Intelsat 3". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ↑ Krebs, Gunter. "Intelsat-3". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved February 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Intelsat 3 Quicklook". Mission and Spacecraft Library. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved February 9, 2014.