# Applications Technology Satellite 3

> former NASA communications and weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q3390184](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3390184)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATS-3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/applications-technology-satellite-3

## Summary
Applications Technology Satellite 3 (ATS-3) was a former NASA communications and weather satellite launched on November 5, 1967. Manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Company, it served as an experimental spacecraft in a geostationary orbit until its retirement on December 1, 1978.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** November 5, 1967, at 23:37:00 UTC.
- **Retirement Date:** December 1, 1978.
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- **Manufacturer:** Hughes Aircraft Company.
- **Mission Type:** Communications satellite, weather satellite, and geostationary satellite.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D.
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 12.
- **Mass:** 365 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Dimensions:** 182.9 centimeters in height and 152.4 centimeters in diameter.
- **Designations:** Also known as ATS-3, ATS-C, COSPAR ID 1967-111A, and SCN 03029.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Applications Technology Satellite 3?
A: ATS-3 was designed as an experimental satellite to test communications and weather monitoring technologies from a geostationary orbit. It was part of NASA's broader Applications Technology Satellite series.

### Q: When was ATS-3 launched and how long was it operational?
A: The satellite was launched on November 5, 1967. It remained operational until its service retirement on December 1, 1978, spanning just over 11 years.

### Q: Who built and operated ATS-3?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Company and operated by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

## Why It Matters
Applications Technology Satellite 3 (ATS-3) represents a significant chapter in the history of space exploration and satellite technology. As part of NASA's experimental Applications Technology Satellite series, it played a crucial role in advancing the capabilities of geostationary satellites. The spacecraft functioned as a prototype for both telecommunications and meteorological observation, contributing valuable data that would influence the design and operation of future generations of satellites.

The mission is notable for its longevity, operating for over a decade before its retirement in 1978. This extended service life allowed NASA to conduct long-term studies on spacecraft systems, such as the performance of solar arrays in the space environment. By bridging the gap between earlier experimental models and operational systems, ATS-3 helped validate the technologies necessary for modern global communications and weather tracking networks.

## Notable For
- Being a dual-purpose platform functioning as both a communications and weather satellite.
- Operating in a geostationary orbit, allowing for continuous coverage of a specific region.
- Being part of the Applications Technology Satellite series, which included ATS-1, ATS-2, and ATS-4.
- Having a launch mass of 365 kilograms, a significant payload for its time.
- Utilizing the Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D expendable launch system.

## Body
### Mission Overview
Applications Technology Satellite 3 (designated ATS-3 or ATS-C) was an artificial satellite developed for telecommunications and climate monitoring. It was an instance of a former entity, having concluded its operations in the late 1970s. The satellite followed Applications Technology Satellite 2 and preceded Applications Technology Satellite 4 in NASA's experimental series.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft was constructed by Hughes Aircraft Company in the United States. It featured a cylindrical design with a diameter of 152.4 centimeters and a height of 182.9 centimeters. At launch, the satellite had a mass of 365 kilograms. It was powered by a spacecraft solar array designed to operate in the harsh environment of space.

### Launch and Orbit
ATS-3 was launched on November 5, 1967, using an Atlas SLV-3 Agena-D rocket. The launch took place at Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 12 at precisely 23:37:00 UTC. The mission successfully placed the satellite into a geostationary orbit, where it remained operational for over eleven years.

### Operational History
Throughout its operational life, ATS-3 was managed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The mission provided critical data on weather patterns and facilitated communications experiments. The spacecraft was officially retired from service on December 1, 1978.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ats-1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://science.nasa.gov/missions/ats)