# Intelsat III F-1

> Geostationary communication satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q15931528](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15931528)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelsat_III_F-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intelsat-iii-f-1

## Summary
Intelsat III F-1 was a geostationary communication satellite operated by Intelsat. Launched in 1968, it was part of the Intelsat III series designed for telecommunications. The satellite failed to reach its intended orbit due to a launch vehicle malfunction.

## Key Facts
- **Operator**: Intelsat ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328))  
- **Launch Date**: September 19, 1968 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta M ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17 ([reference](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6272367))  
- **Mission Outcome**: Failed to achieve orbit due to a launch vehicle issue  
- **NSSDCA ID**: INT3F-1  
- **Class**: Communications satellite  
- **Wikidata Description**: Geostationary communication satellite  

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of Intelsat III F-1?  
A: Intelsat III F-1 was designed as a geostationary communication satellite to facilitate telecommunications, including voice and data transmission.  

### Q: Why did Intelsat III F-1 fail?  
A: The satellite failed to reach orbit due to a malfunction in its Delta M launch vehicle during the September 1968 launch.  

### Q: Who operated Intelsat III F-1?  
A: It was operated by Intelsat, an international telecommunications satellite consortium.  

## Why It Matters
Intelsat III F-1 was part of a critical series of satellites aimed at expanding global telecommunications infrastructure in the late 1960s. Although it failed to achieve orbit, its launch represented advancements in satellite technology and the growing importance of geostationary satellites for global communication. The Intelsat III series later succeeded in deploying operational satellites, paving the way for modern satellite communications. Its failure also highlighted the challenges of space launches, contributing to improvements in launch vehicle reliability.

## Notable For
- **First of the Intelsat III series**: Marked the beginning of an upgraded generation of communication satellites.  
- **Geostationary mission**: Aimed to provide stable, continuous coverage for telecommunications.  
- **Launch vehicle failure**: Served as a case study for improving Delta rocket reliability.  

## Body
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: September 19, 1968  
- **Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17  
- **Vehicle**: Delta M  

### Mission Outcome  
- Failed to achieve orbit due to a malfunction in the Delta M launch vehicle.  

### Technical Classification  
- **Instance of**: Communications satellite  
- **Operator**: Intelsat  

### Identifiers  
- **NSSDCA ID**: INT3F-1  
- **Freebase ID**: /m/0_qklkf

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report