Intelsat-3

Intelsat-3 [Intelsat]

The Intelsat 3 spacecraft were used to relay commercial global telecommunications including live TV. Three of the 8 satellites in the series (F1, F5, F8) were unusable due to launch vehicle failures, and most of the remainder did not achieve their desired lifetimes. F2 operated for 1.5 years, F3 was partially operational for 7 years, F4 lasted 3 years, F6 survived 2 years, and F7 remained usable for 16 years.

Intesat-3 spacecraft were spin stabilized with a despun antenna structure (34 inch tall antenna). Hydrazine propulsion system with 4 thrusters and 4 tanks. Passive thermal control. Body mounted solar cells produced 178 W peak, 9 AHr NiCd batteries. The payload consisted of two transponders using 12 Watt TWTA amplifiers for multiple access, 1500 voice circuits or 4 TV channels.

Nation: International
Type / Application: Communication
Operator: Intelsat
Contractors: TRW
Equipment: 2 transponders
Configuration:
Propulsion: SVM-2
Power: Solar cells (body mounted), batteries
Lifetime: 5 years
Mass: 293 kg (launch); 151 kg (BOL)
Orbit: GEO
Satellite Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
Intelsat-3 1 19.09.1968 CC LC-17A F Delta-M
Intelsat-3 2 06.02.1969 CC LC-17A Delta-M
Intelsat-3 3 19.12.1968 CC LC-17A Delta-M
Intelsat-3 4 22.05.1969 CC LC-17A Delta-M
Intelsat-3 5 26.07.1969 CC LC-17A P Delta-M
Intelsat-3 6 14.01.1970 CC LC-17A Delta-M
Intelsat-3 7 22.04.1970 CC LC-17A Delta-M
Intelsat-3 8 23.07.1970 CC LC-17A Delta-M
Further Intelsat missions: