# Advanced Communications Technology Satellite

> former NASA communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q15012](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15012)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Communications_Technology_Satellite)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/advanced-communications-technology-satellite

## Summary
The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) was a former NASA communications satellite designed to demonstrate experimental technologies in space. Launched in 1993 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, it served as a technology demonstration spacecraft and operated as part of the ACTS Gigabit Satellite Network until its decommissioning in 2004.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Technology demonstration spacecraft and communications satellite.
- **Launch Date:** September 12, 1993 (11:45:00 UTC).
- **Launch Vehicle:** Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-51 mission).
- **Launch Site:** Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B.
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- **Manufacturer:** Martin Marietta.
- **Mass:** 2,733 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit.
- **Decommissioning Date:** April 28, 2004.
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID 1993-058B; NSSDCA ID 1993-058B; SCN 22796.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Advanced Communications Technology Satellite?
A: The satellite was a technology demonstration spacecraft used to demonstrate experimental communications technologies. It was part of the ACTS Gigabit Satellite Network.

### Q: When was the satellite launched and by whom?
A: It was launched on September 12, 1993, by NASA using the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-51) from the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B.

### Q: How long was the satellite operational?
A: The satellite launched in September 1993 and was decommissioned on April 28, 2004.

### Q: Who built the satellite?
A: The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite was manufactured by Martin Marietta for NASA.

## Why It Matters
The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) represents a significant chapter in the history of space-based telecommunications. As a technology demonstration spacecraft funded and operated by NASA, ACTS served as a critical testbed for experimental technologies that were high-risk at the time but held high potential for advancing the field. Its primary significance lies in its role within the ACTS Gigabit Satellite Network, pushing the boundaries of what was possible in satellite communications speed and capability during its operational lifetime.

Launched in the early 1990s, a transformative era for digital communication, ACTS helped bridge the gap between theoretical high-performance satellite systems and practical implementation. Weighing over 2.7 tons and positioned in geostationary orbit, it provided a stable platform for testing advanced concepts that would inform future generations of communications satellites. The mission successfully operated for over a decade before being decommissioned in 2004, validating the durability of its hardware—manufactured by Martin Marietta—and the utility of its experimental payload.

## Notable For
- **Technology Demonstration:** Functioned as a dedicated platform for demonstrating experimental technologies rather than just operational communications.
- **Gigabit Network:** Was a key component of the ACTS Gigabit Satellite Network.
- **Launch Platform:** One of the notable payloads launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-51).
- **Longevity:** Operated for roughly 11 years (1993–2004) as a former entity.
- **Power System:** Utilized a specific spacecraft solar array configuration (2 arrays) to power its systems.

## Body

### Development and Manufacturing
The Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) was developed as a joint effort involving significant industry and government collaboration.
*   **Manufacturer:** The spacecraft was built by Martin Marietta.
*   **Funder and Operator:** The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provided funding and served as the operator.
*   **Origin:** It was a spacecraft of United States origin.

### Technical Specifications
ACTS was a heavy-class satellite designed for robust performance in geostationary orbit.
*   **Mass:** The satellite had a launch weight of 2,733 kilograms.
*   **Power:** It was powered by two spacecraft solar arrays.
*   **Orbit:** The satellite operated in a geostationary orbit.
*   **Identifiers:** It is tracked under COSPAR ID 1993-058B and Satellit Catalog Number 22796.

### Launch Details
The satellite was delivered to space as part of a notable Space Shuttle mission.
*   **Mission:** STS-51.
*   **Vehicle:** Space Shuttle Discovery.
*   **Date and Time:** Launch occurred on September 12, 1993, at 11:45:00.
*   **Location:** Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B.

### Mission Timeline and Conclusion
ACTS had a defined operational life before being permanently retired.
*   **Start of Service:** Began with its launch in September 1993.
*   **End of Service:** The spacecraft was decommissioned on April 28, 2004.
*   **Status:** It is currently classified as a former entity.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/acts.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1993-058B)
4. [Source](http://www.space.com/spacenews/archive04/actsarch_051004.html)