# Applications Technology Satellite 6

> former NASA communications and weather satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q2819560](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2819560)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATS-6)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/applications-technology-satellite-6

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Applications Technology Satellite 6**:

---

## Summary  
Applications Technology Satellite 6 (ATS-6) was a former NASA communications and weather satellite launched in 1974. It was part of an experimental series to demonstrate advanced technologies, including geostationary orbit operations and satellite-based television broadcasting. ATS-6 also contributed to weather monitoring and educational programs in remote areas.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** May 30, 1974, at 13:00:01 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Titan IIIC (designation 23C-9 / 3C-27).  
- **Mass:** 930 kg at launch.  
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit.  
- **Operator:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  
- **Manufacturer:** Fairchild.  
- **Power Source:** Two solar arrays.  
- **Mission Duration:** Operational until June 30, 1979.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1974-039A.  
- **Part of:** Applications Technology Satellite series and Satellite Instructional Television Experiment.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of ATS-6?  
A: ATS-6 was designed to test advanced communications and weather monitoring technologies, including geostationary satellite operations and educational broadcasting in remote regions.  

### Q: When was ATS-6 launched?  
A: It was launched on May 30, 1974, from Cape Canaveral aboard a Titan IIIC rocket.  

### Q: How long was ATS-6 operational?  
A: The satellite remained in service until June 30, 1979, when it was retired.  

## Why It Matters  
ATS-6 was a groundbreaking satellite that advanced NASA’s capabilities in geostationary communications and weather monitoring. It played a key role in the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE), delivering educational content to rural areas in India and the United States. Its success demonstrated the feasibility of using satellites for large-scale broadcasting and paved the way for modern telecommunications and weather satellite systems. ATS-6 also contributed to early experiments in satellite-based navigation and space science, making it a pivotal mission in the history of space technology.  

## Notable For  
- **First high-power geostationary communications satellite** capable of direct broadcasting to small ground receivers.  
- **Pioneered educational TV broadcasting** in remote regions through the SITE program.  
- **Demonstrated advanced satellite stabilization and antenna technologies.**  
- **One of the last satellites in NASA’s Applications Technology Satellite series.**  

## Body  
### Launch and Mission  
- Launched on May 30, 1974, aboard a Titan IIIC rocket.  
- Operated in geostationary orbit for communications and weather monitoring.  
- Retired on June 30, 1979.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass:** 930 kg (launch weight).  
- **Power:** Two solar arrays.  
- **Manufacturer:** Fairchild.  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1974-039A.  

### Contributions  
- Enabled experimental TV broadcasting to rural areas in India and the U.S.  
- Tested advanced satellite stabilization and antenna systems.  
- Supported early space science and navigation experiments.  

## Schema Markup  
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  "name": "Applications Technology Satellite 6",
  "description": "Former NASA communications and weather satellite launched in 1974.",
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/ats-6.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1974-039A)