# ASC 1

> American communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q18327676](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18327676)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/asc-1

## Summary
ASC 1 was an American communications satellite launched on August 27, 1985, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-51-I mission. It was the first of its kind to be deployed from the Space Shuttle and operated in a geostationary orbit.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: August 27, 1985, at 10:58:01 UTC from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-51-I mission).
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit.
- **Operator**: ConTel.
- **Manufacturer**: RCA Corporation.
- **Mass**: 1,150 kilograms at launch weight.
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array with two panels.
- **Space Tug**: PAM-D (Payload Assist Module-D) used for deployment.
- **Preceded by**: None (first in the ASC series).
- **Followed by**: ASC 2.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1985-076C.
- **NSSDCA ID**: 1985-076C.
- **Aliases**: AmerSat 1.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of ASC 1?
A: ASC 1 was a communications satellite designed to provide telecommunications services, specifically as part of the American Satellite Corporation (ASC) series.

### Q: How was ASC 1 launched?
A: ASC 1 was launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-51-I mission on August 27, 1985, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.

### Q: What was unique about ASC 1's launch?
A: ASC 1 was the first communications satellite to be deployed from the Space Shuttle, marking a significant milestone in space-based telecommunications.

### Q: Who operated ASC 1?
A: ASC 1 was operated by ConTel, a company involved in satellite communications.

### Q: What was the mass of ASC 1 at launch?
A: ASC 1 had a launch mass of 1,150 kilograms.

## Why It Matters
ASC 1 was a pioneering communications satellite that demonstrated the feasibility of deploying satellites from the Space Shuttle, which was a novel approach at the time. Its successful launch and operation marked a significant advancement in space-based telecommunications, paving the way for future satellite deployments from reusable spacecraft. The satellite contributed to the growing infrastructure of global communications, providing services that were critical for both military and civilian applications. ASC 1's deployment also highlighted the potential of the Space Shuttle as a versatile platform for launching and servicing satellites, influencing future space missions and satellite design.

## Notable For
- **First Space Shuttle-deployed communications satellite**: ASC 1 was the first satellite of its kind to be deployed from the Space Shuttle, a groundbreaking achievement in space technology.
- **Geostationary orbit operation**: It successfully operated in a geostationary orbit, providing continuous telecommunications services.
- **Pioneering satellite series**: ASC 1 was part of the American Satellite Corporation (ASC) series, which played a key role in early satellite communications.
- **Use of PAM-D space tug**: The satellite was deployed using the PAM-D Payload Assist Module-D, which was a significant component of its launch system.
- **Operated by ConTel**: The satellite was operated by ConTel, a company that was instrumental in the early development of satellite communications.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
ASC 1 was launched on August 27, 1985, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-51-I mission. It was the first communications satellite to be deployed from the Space Shuttle, marking a significant milestone in space-based telecommunications. The satellite was deployed using the PAM-D Payload Assist Module-D, which provided the necessary propulsion to place it into its intended geostationary orbit.

### Technical Specifications
ASC 1 had a launch mass of 1,150 kilograms and was powered by a spacecraft solar array with two panels. The satellite was designed to operate in a geostationary orbit, providing continuous telecommunications services. It was manufactured by RCA Corporation and operated by ConTel, a company involved in satellite communications.

### Significance
ASC 1's successful launch and operation demonstrated the feasibility of deploying satellites from the Space Shuttle, which was a novel approach at the time. The satellite contributed to the growing infrastructure of global communications, providing services that were critical for both military and civilian applications. ASC 1's deployment also highlighted the potential of the Space Shuttle as a versatile platform for launching and servicing satellites, influencing future space missions and satellite design.

### Legacy
ASC 1 was part of the American Satellite Corporation (ASC) series, which played a key role in early satellite communications. The satellite's successful operation paved the way for future satellite deployments from reusable spacecraft, marking a significant advancement in space technology. ASC 1's legacy continues to influence the development of satellite communications and space-based infrastructure.

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  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "ASC 1",
  "description": "American communications satellite launched in 1985 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15994",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASC_1"
  ],
  "additionalType": "CommunicationsSatellite"
}

## References

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