NATO 3A [USAF]
The NATO Satellite Communications System provided immediate communications links between officials of the various NATO nations. The satellites feature ultra-high, super-high and extremely-high frequency transponders with three horn antennas capable of providing secure voice and fax services to hundreds of NATO users simultaneously. Members of an Air Force Space Command unit provided command and control for the NATO system.
The NATO-3 series were spin stabilized satellites with a design life of 7 years. They were built by Ford Aerospace.
Nation: | International |
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Type / Application: | Military communication |
Operator: | NATO |
Contractors: | Philco Ford Space & Reentry Systems Division |
Equipment: | 2 transponders operating in the 7 to 8 GHz region |
Configuration: | NATO-3 Bus |
Propulsion: | SVM-6 (#A - #C), Star-27B (#D) |
Power: | Solar cells (body mounted), batteries |
Lifetime: | 7 years |
Mass: | |
Orbit: | GEO |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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NATO 3A | 1976-035A | 22.04.1976 | CC LC-17B | Delta-2914 | ||
NATO 3B | 1977-005A | 28.01.1977 | CC LC-17B | Delta-2914 | ||
NATO 3C | 1978-106A | 19.11.1978 | CC LC-17B | Delta-2914 | ||
NATO 3D | 1984-115A | 14.11.1984 | CC LC-17A | Delta-3914 |