# Intelsat IV F-3

> Geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q14771229](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14771229)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelsat_IV_F-3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intelsat-iv-f-3

## Summary  
Intelsat IV F‑3 is a geostationary communications satellite that was launched on 20 December 1971 from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 36 aboard an Atlas‑Centaur rocket. It is catalogued under the COSPAR identifier 1971‑116A and the Satellite Catalog Number 05709.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch date:** 20 December 1971【source】  
- **Launch vehicle:** Atlas‑Centaur rocket【source】  
- **Launch site:** Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36, Florida【source】  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1971‑116A【source】  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 05709【source】  
- **Classification:** Communications satellite (geostationary)【source】  
- **Significant event:** Rocket launch at Cape Canaveral on 20 December 1971【source】  
- **Wikipedia title:** *Intelsat IV F‑3* (available in English, Latvian, Portuguese)【source】  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Intelsat IV F‑3?  
A: Intelsat IV F‑3 is a geostationary communications satellite launched in December 1971 to provide long‑range telecommunication services.  

### Q: When and how was Intelsat IV F‑3 launched?  
A: It was launched on 20 December 1971 from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36 using an Atlas‑Centaur launch vehicle.  

### Q: What identifiers are associated with Intelsat IV F‑3?  
A: The satellite’s COSPAR ID is 1971‑116A and its Satellite Catalog Number (SCN) is 05709.  

### Q: Which organization operates Intelsat IV F‑3?  
A: It is an instance of a communications satellite within the Intelsat network, a global satellite communications provider.  

### Q: Where can I find more information about Intelsat IV F‑3?  
A: Additional details are available on its Wikipedia page (*Intelsat IV F‑3*) in English, Latvian, and Portuguese.  

## Why It Matters  
Intelsat IV F‑3 represents an early generation of geostationary communications satellites that helped establish a reliable, worldwide telecommunications infrastructure. By occupying a fixed position above the equator, the satellite could continuously relay voice, data, and television signals across continents, reducing dependence on undersea cables and terrestrial networks. Its launch in 1971 contributed to the rapid expansion of global connectivity during a period when international communication demand was surging. The satellite’s successful deployment using the Atlas‑Centaur launch system demonstrated the viability of heavy‑lift rockets for placing large, complex payloads into geostationary orbit, paving the way for subsequent, more capable communication satellites. Consequently, Intelsat IV F‑3 played a part in shaping modern global media distribution, international business communications, and the early foundations of the internet’s worldwide reach.  

## Notable For  
- First‑generation geostationary satellite in the Intelsat IV series.  
- Launched aboard an Atlas‑Centaur, a key launch vehicle for heavy payloads in the early 1970s.  
- Assigned the COSPAR ID 1971‑116A, linking it to the 1971 launch campaign.  
- Catalogued as Satellite 05709, enabling precise tracking and orbital management.  
- Contributed to the expansion of global telecommunications during the early satellite era.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Intelsat IV F‑3 is a geostationary communications satellite designed to provide continuous telecommunication services from a fixed orbital position. Its primary role is to relay signals for voice, data, and television across large geographic areas.  

### Launch Details  
- **Date:** 20 December 1971.  
- **Vehicle:** Atlas‑Centaur, a two‑stage launch system capable of delivering heavy payloads to geostationary transfer orbit.  
- **Site:** Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36, a historic launch pad used for many early satellite missions.  
- **Event:** The launch is recorded as a “rocket launch” event at the specified site and time.  

### Identification Numbers  
- **COSPAR ID:** 1971‑116A – the international designator that uniquely identifies the launch and payload.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 05709 – the tracking number assigned by space‑object catalogues.  

### Classification  
- **Instance of:** Communications satellite, specifically a geostationary platform.  
- **Related classes:**  
  - *Communications satellite* – artificial satellites built for telecommunications.  
  - *Atlas‑Centaur* – the launch vehicle class used for the mission.  

### Operational Context  
As part of the Intelsat network, Intelsat IV F‑3 contributed to a constellation of satellites that together offered near‑global coverage. Its geostationary orbit allowed ground stations to maintain a constant line‑of‑sight, simplifying antenna design and reducing the need for tracking equipment.  

### Legacy  
The successful deployment of Intelsat IV F‑3 demonstrated the reliability of the Atlas‑Centaur launch system for large communications payloads and reinforced the strategic importance of geostationary satellites in the burgeoning global communications market of the early 1970s.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report