Intelsat V F-3

Summary

Intelsat V F-3, then named Intelsat 503, was a communications satellite operated by COMSAT. Launched on 15 December 1981, it was the third of fifteen Intelsat V satellites to be launched. The Intelsat V series was constructed by Ford Aerospace, based on the Intelsat V satellite bus. Intelsat V F-3 was part of an advanced series of satellites designed to provide greater telecommunications capacity for Intelsat's global network.

Intelsat V F-3 → Intelsat 503
Mission typeCommunication
OperatorCOMSAT / INTELSAT
COSPAR ID1981-119A [1]
SATCAT no.12994
Mission duration7 years (planned)
Spacecraft properties
BusIntelsat V
ManufacturerFord Aerospace
Launch mass1928 kg
Dry mass1012 kg
Dimensions1.66 x 2.1 x 1.77 metres
Power1800 watts
Start of mission
Launch date15 December 1981,
23:35:00 UTC
RocketAtlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR (AC-55)
Launch siteCCAFS, LC-36B
ContractorGeneral Dynamics
End of mission
DisposalGraveyard orbit
DeactivatedJanuary 1998
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeGeostationary orbit
Longitude174.0° East (1981-1992)
177.0° West (1992-1995)
157.0° East (1995-1998)
Epoch15 December 1981
Transponders
Band21 C-band
4 Ku-band
Intelsat V
 
Launch of Intelsat V F-3

Satellite edit

The satellite was box-shaped, measuring 1.66 by 2.1 by 1.77 metres; solar arrays spanned 15.9 metres tip to tip. The arrays, supplemented by nickel-hydrogen batteries during eclipse, provided 1800 watts of power. The payload housed 21 C-band and 4 Ku-band transponders. It could accommodate 15,000 two-way voice circuits and two TV channels simultaneously. It had a launch mass of 1928 kg.[2] The satellite was deactivated in January 1998.

Launch edit

The satellite was successfully launched into space on 15 December 1981 at 23:35:00 UTC, by means of an Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1AR vehicle from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, United States.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Display: Intelsat 5 F-3 1981-119A". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. ^ "Display: Intelsat 5A F-15 1989-086A". NASA. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.