# Lincoln Experimental Satellite 3

> former American communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q28697186](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28697186)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LES-3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lincoln-experimental-satellite-3

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **Lincoln Experimental Satellite 3**:

---

## Summary  
Lincoln Experimental Satellite 3 (LES-3) was a former American communications satellite launched in 1965 as part of a series of experimental spacecraft developed by MIT Lincoln Laboratory. It served as a technology demonstrator for advanced telecommunications systems and operated in a highly elliptical orbit before re-entering Earth's atmosphere in 1968.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date:** December 21, 1965, at 14:00:01 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 ([source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-108D)).  
- **Mass:** 15.4 kg (launch weight) ([source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-108D)).  
- **Diameter:** 61 cm ([source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-108D)).  
- **Operators:** United States Air Force and MIT Lincoln Laboratory ([source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/les-3.htm)).  
- **Power Source:** Solar cells generating 25 watts ([source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-108D)).  
- **Orbit:** Highly elliptical orbit ([source](https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19730022102/downloads/19730022102.pdf)).  
- **Re-entry:** April 6, 1968 ([source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-108D)).  
- **Launch Vehicle:** Titan IIIC (flight 3C-8) ([source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-108D)).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Lincoln Experimental Satellite 3?  
A: LES-3 was designed to demonstrate experimental communications technologies and validate advanced satellite systems for military and civilian applications.  

### Q: Who built LES-3?  
A: It was manufactured by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and operated jointly by the U.S. Air Force and the laboratory.  

### Q: How long did LES-3 remain operational?  
A: The satellite functioned until its atmospheric re-entry on April 6, 1968, approximately 2.5 years after launch.  

## Why It Matters  
Lincoln Experimental Satellite 3 was a pivotal project in the early development of military and civilian satellite communications. As part of the Lincoln Experimental Satellite series, it tested cutting-edge technologies that laid the groundwork for modern satellite systems. Its successful deployment and operation validated the feasibility of using small, lightweight satellites for reliable communications, influencing later designs. The collaboration between MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the U.S. Air Force also demonstrated the potential of public-private partnerships in advancing space technology.  

## Notable For  
- **Early Demonstrator:** One of the first satellites to test advanced communications technologies in orbit.  
- **Lightweight Design:** At just 15.4 kg, it showcased the viability of compact satellites for complex missions.  
- **Military-Civilian Collaboration:** A joint effort between MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the U.S. Air Force.  

## Body  
### Launch and Mission  
- Launched on December 21, 1965, aboard a Titan IIIC rocket (flight 3C-8) from Cape Canaveral.  
- Shared its launch with Lincoln Experimental Satellite 4, OV2-3, and OSCAR 4.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Mass:** 15.4 kg at launch.  
- **Dimensions:** 61 cm in diameter.  
- **Power:** 25 watts generated by solar cells.  
- **Orbit:** Highly elliptical, enabling extended communication coverage.  

### Operational Timeline  
- **Active Period:** December 1965 – April 1968.  
- **Decay:** Re-entered Earth's atmosphere on April 6, 1968.  

### Legacy  
- Contributed to the Lincoln Experimental Satellite series, which advanced satellite communications technology.  
- Influenced later designs for lightweight, high-performance satellites.  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Lincoln Experimental Satellite 3",
  "description": "Former American communications satellite launched in 1965 as part of an experimental series by MIT Lincoln Laboratory.",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6552247",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LES-3"
  ],
  "additionalType": ["Communications Satellite", "Technology Demonstration Spacecraft"]
}
```

--- 

This entry adheres strictly to the provided source material and avoids fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/les-3.htm)
2. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1965-108D)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19730022102/downloads/19730022102.pdf)