IDCSP → DSCS-1

IDCSP [USAF]

The IDCSP (Initial Defense Communication Satellite Program) provided the Pentagon with its first geosynchronous communications system and replaced the cancelled ADVENT project.

IDCSP satellites were spin-stabilized 26 sided polygons, 86 cm in diameter, covered with solar panels, and had a mass of 45 kg. The simple satellites featured no batteries and no active attitude control system. Each satellite contained a single X-band transponder with a 26 MHz bandwidth. While designers planned for the satellites to last three years, the IDCSP satellites were kept on for a five-year span and were to turn off after six years.

IDCSP 19 was also called DATS (Despun Antenna Test Satellite), as it tested a more efficient electronically despun antenna platform.

Up to eight were dispersed on a single Titan-3C rocket into slightly sub-synchronous orbit where they would drift about thirty degrees per day. The idea was that a backup was always visible to the earth station if one failed.

IDCSP satellites transmitted reconnaissance photos and other data during the Vietnam war.

They were succeeded by NATO and DSCS-2 true geosynchronous satellites.

Nation: USA
Type / Application: Communication
Operator: USAF
Contractors: Philco-Ford
Equipment: 1 X-band transponder
Configuration: Spin-Stabilization, omnidirectional antenna (despun antenna on #19)
Propulsion: None
Power: Solar cells
Lifetime: 3 years
Mass: 45 kg
Orbit: 33030 km × 33549 km, 1.2°
Satellite Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
IDCSP 1 → DSCS-1 1 (OPS 9311) 16.06.1966 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, GGTS 1
IDCSP 2 → DSCS-1 2 (OPS 9312) 16.06.1966 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, GGTS 1
IDCSP 3 → DSCS-1 3 (OPS 9313) 16.06.1966 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, GGTS 1
IDCSP 4 → DSCS-1 4 (OPS 9314) 16.06.1966 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, GGTS 1
IDCSP 5 → DSCS-1 5 (OPS 9315) 16.06.1966 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, GGTS 1
IDCSP 6 → DSCS-1 6 (OPS 9316) 16.06.1966 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, GGTS 1
IDCSP 7 → DSCS-1 7 (OPS 9317) 16.06.1966 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, GGTS 1
IDCSP (8) 26.08.1966 CC LC-41 F Titan-3C with IDCSP (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), GGTS 2
IDCSP (9) 26.08.1966 CC LC-41 F Titan-3C with IDCSP (8), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), GGTS 2
IDCSP (10) 26.08.1966 CC LC-41 F Titan-3C with IDCSP (8), (9), (11), (12), (13), (14), GGTS 2
IDCSP (11) 26.08.1966 CC LC-41 F Titan-3C with IDCSP (8), (9), (10), (12), (13), (14), GGTS 2
IDCSP (12) 26.08.1966 CC LC-41 F Titan-3C with IDCSP (8), (9), (10), (11), (13), (14), GGTS 2
IDCSP (13) 26.08.1966 CC LC-41 F Titan-3C with IDCSP (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (14), GGTS 2
IDCSP (14) 26.08.1966 CC LC-41 F Titan-3C with IDCSP (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), GGTS 2
IDCSP 8 → DSCS-1 8 (OPS 9321) 18.01.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
IDCSP 9 → DSCS-1 9 (OPS 9322) 18.01.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
IDCSP 10 → DSCS-1 10 (OPS 9323) 18.01.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15
IDCSP 11 → DSCS-1 11 (OPS 9324) 18.01.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15
IDCSP 12 → DSCS-1 12 (OPS 9325) 18.01.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15
IDCSP 13 → DSCS-1 13 (OPS 9326) 18.01.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15
IDCSP 14 → DSCS-1 14 (OPS 9327) 18.01.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15
IDCSP 15 → DSCS-1 15 (OPS 9328) 18.01.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
IDCSP 16 → DSCS-1 16 (OPS 9331) 01.07.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 17, 18, 19, LES 5, DODGE
IDCSP 17 → DSCS-1 17 (OPS 9332) 01.07.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 16, 18, 19, LES 5, DODGE
IDCSP 18 → DSCS-1 18 (OPS 9333) 01.07.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 16, 17, 19, LES 5, DODGE
IDCSP 19-DATS → DSCS-1 19-DATS (OPS 9334) 01.07.1967 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 16, 17, 18, LES 5, DODGE
IDCSP 20 → DSCS-1 20 (OPS 9341) 13.06.1968 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
IDCSP 21 → DSCS-1 21 (OPS 9342) 13.06.1968 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
IDCSP 22 → DSCS-1 22 (OPS 9343) 13.06.1968 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27
IDCSP 23 → DSCS-1 23 (OPS 9344) 13.06.1968 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27
IDCSP 24 → DSCS-1 24 (OPS 9345) 13.06.1968 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27
IDCSP 25 → DSCS-1 25 (OPS 9346) 13.06.1968 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27
IDCSP 26 → DSCS-1 26 (OPS 9347) 13.06.1968 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27
IDCSP 27 → DSCS-1 27 (OPS 9348) 13.06.1968 CC LC-41 Titan-3C with IDCSP 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26
Further IDCSP / DSCS / WGS missions: