# Applications Technology Satellite 5

> former NASA communications and weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q8183069](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8183069)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATS-5)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/applications-technology-satellite-5

## Summary
Applications Technology Satellite 5 (ATS-5) was a NASA experimental satellite designed to test advanced technologies for telecommunications and weather monitoring. Launched in 1969, it operated in geostationary orbit as part of the Applications Technology Satellite series until its retirement in 1984.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date:** August 12, 1969, at 11:01:04 UTC
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- **Manufacturer:** Hughes Aircraft Company
- **Launch Vehicle:** Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D (AC-18)
- **Launch Weight:** 821 kilograms
- **Orbit Type:** Geostationary orbit
- **Service Retirement:** March 1984
- **Series:** Part of the Applications Technology Satellite series, following ATS-4 and preceding ATS-6
- **Power Source:** Spacecraft solar array

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Applications Technology Satellite 5?
A: ATS-5 was an experimental satellite designed to monitor weather and climate while providing a platform for telecommunications research. It was classified as both a communications satellite and a weather satellite.

### Q: Who built and launched ATS-5?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Hughes Aircraft Company and operated by NASA. It was launched from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36 using an Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D rocket.

### Q: How long was Applications Technology Satellite 5 operational?
A: ATS-5 had a long operational lifespan of nearly 15 years. It was launched in August 1969 and reached its official service retirement in March 1984.

## Why It Matters
Applications Technology Satellite 5 was a critical component of NASA's experimental efforts to refine satellite technology in the late 1960s. As a dual-purpose platform, it helped bridge the gap between early experimental satellites and the sophisticated geostationary systems used today for global communications and meteorological tracking. 

The mission demonstrated the reliability of solar-powered arrays and the utility of the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D launch vehicle. By maintaining a presence in geostationary orbit for nearly 15 years, ATS-5 provided extensive data on the long-term performance of spacecraft components in a high-radiation environment. Its contributions to the Applications Technology Satellite series paved the way for more advanced successors, such as ATS-6, and influenced the development of modern telecommunications and weather monitoring infrastructure.

## Notable For
- **Dual-Mission Profile:** Functioned simultaneously as a communications satellite and a weather monitoring platform.
- **Longevity:** Remained in service for approximately 14.5 years, far exceeding the typical lifespan of many early experimental satellites.
- **Series Continuity:** Served as the fifth installment in NASA's Applications Technology Satellite series, following the ATS-4 mission.
- **Technical Identifiers:** Recognized by the COSPAR ID 1969-069A and the Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) 04068.

## Body

### Mission Overview
Applications Technology Satellite 5, also known by the designations ATS-5, ATS-E, and PL-692B, was a former NASA spacecraft. It was designed as an experimental platform to advance the fields of satellite-based telecommunications and meteorology. 

### Launch and Technical Specifications
The satellite was launched on August 12, 1969, from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36 in the United States. The launch vehicle utilized was the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D (flight AC-18). At the time of launch, the spacecraft had a mass of 821 kilograms. To sustain its onboard systems and experiments, ATS-5 was powered by a spacecraft solar array.

### Operational History and Orbit
ATS-5 was placed into a geostationary orbit, a position that allowed it to remain fixed relative to a point on the Earth's surface. It was manufactured by the Hughes Aircraft Company under the direction of NASA. The satellite followed the ATS-4 mission and was eventually succeeded by ATS-6. 

### Retirement and Legacy
After nearly 15 years of service, ATS-5 reached its service retirement in March 1984. The satellite is documented in various international databases under the NSSDCA ID 1969-069A and the Wolfram Language entity code "04068." Its mission data contributed to the broader Applications Technology Satellite series, which focused on testing the feasibility of various satellite applications for civilian and scientific use.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Applications Technology Satellite 5",
  "description": "A former NASA communications and weather satellite launched in 1969 that operated in geostationary orbit.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATS-5"],
  "additionalType": "http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q149918"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ats-4.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report