# GEOS-3

> third and final satellite of NASA's Geodetic Earth Orbiting Satellite/Geodynamics Experimental Ocean Satellite program

**Wikidata**: [Q16063525](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16063525)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GEOS-3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/geos-3

## Summary
GEOS-3 was the third and final satellite in NASA's Geodetic Earth Orbiting Satellite/Geodynamics Experimental Ocean Satellite (GEOS) program, launched on April 9, 1975. It was part of a series of satellites designed to study Earth's geodynamics and oceanography.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Artificial satellite, GEOS satellite
- **Launch date**: April 9, 1975
- **Launch site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2
- **Launch vehicle**: Delta 1000
- **COSPAR ID**: 1975-027A
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number)**: 07734
- **Program**: NASA's Geodetic Earth Orbiting Satellite/Geodynamics Experimental Ocean Satellite (GEOS)
- **Status**: Third and final satellite in the GEOS program

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the GEOS-3 satellite?
A: GEOS-3 was part of NASA's GEOS program, which aimed to study Earth's geodynamics and oceanography by measuring gravitational forces and Earth's shape.

### Q: When was GEOS-3 launched, and where from?
A: GEOS-3 was launched on April 9, 1975, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 using a Delta 1000 launch vehicle.

### Q: What makes GEOS-3 significant in the GEOS program?
A: GEOS-3 was the third and final satellite in the GEOS program, concluding NASA's efforts to study Earth's geodynamics and oceanography through satellite-based measurements.

### Q: What was the launch vehicle used for GEOS-3?
A: GEOS-3 was launched using a Delta 1000, a series of American expendable launch systems.

### Q: What is the COSPAR ID of GEOS-3?
A: The COSPAR ID of GEOS-3 is 1975-027A.

## Why It Matters
GEOS-3 was part of NASA's GEOS program, which aimed to advance understanding of Earth's geodynamics and oceanography. By measuring gravitational forces and Earth's shape, the program contributed to scientific knowledge about the planet's structure and behavior. The GEOS satellites provided critical data for geophysics and oceanographic research, helping scientists refine models of Earth's gravitational field and its variations. The program's conclusion with GEOS-3 marked the end of an era in satellite-based geodetic and oceanographic studies, leaving a legacy of data that continues to inform research in these fields.

## Notable For
- **Final satellite in the GEOS program**: GEOS-3 was the third and final satellite launched in NASA's GEOS program, concluding the mission's objectives.
- **Contribution to geodynamics research**: The satellite provided data on Earth's gravitational field and shape, advancing understanding of geodynamics.
- **Oceanographic applications**: GEOS-3 supported studies of ocean circulation and Earth's gravitational variations, contributing to oceanographic research.
- **Use of Delta 1000 launch vehicle**: The satellite was launched using a Delta 1000, a key component of NASA's early satellite deployment efforts.
- **COSPAR ID and SCN**: GEOS-3 is identified by its COSPAR ID (1975-027A) and Satellite Catalog Number (07734), reflecting its place in spaceflight records.

## Body
### Overview
GEOS-3 was the third and final satellite in NASA's Geodetic Earth Orbiting Satellite/Geodynamics Experimental Ocean Satellite (GEOS) program. Launched on April 9, 1975, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2 using a Delta 1000 launch vehicle, it was part of a series designed to study Earth's geodynamics and oceanography.

### Mission and Objectives
The GEOS program aimed to measure Earth's gravitational field and shape, providing data for geophysics and oceanographic research. GEOS-3, like its predecessors, contributed to understanding Earth's structure and gravitational variations, supporting scientific studies of the planet's geodynamics.

### Technical Specifications
- **Launch date**: April 9, 1975
- **Launch site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 2
- **Launch vehicle**: Delta 1000
- **COSPAR ID**: 1975-027A
- **SCN (Satellite Catalog Number)**: 07734

### Significance
GEOS-3 marked the conclusion of NASA's GEOS program, which had launched three satellites to study Earth's geodynamics and oceanography. The program's data contributed to advancements in geophysics and oceanographic research, refining models of Earth's gravitational field and its variations.

### Legacy
The GEOS program's legacy includes valuable data on Earth's geodynamics and oceanography, which continue to inform scientific research. GEOS-3's launch and mission represented a key phase in NASA's efforts to understand Earth's structure and gravitational forces through satellite-based measurements.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report