# SBS 3

> American geostationary communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q14771275](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14771275)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SBS_3_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sbs-3

## Summary
SBS 3 is an American geostationary communications satellite launched in 1982 to provide telecommunications services. It was deployed via the Space Shuttle Columbia during the STS-5 mission, marking an early commercial use of the Space Shuttle program. The satellite operated in geostationary orbit, enabling continuous coverage of specific regions for voice, data, and video transmission.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: November 11, 1982, at 12:19:00 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-5 mission).
- **Manufacturer**: Hughes Aircraft Company.
- **Mass**: 1,117 kg (launch weight) and 540 kg (service entry weight).
- **Orbit Type**: Geostationary orbit.
- **Operator**: Satellite Business Systems (SBS).
- **COSPAR ID**: 1982-110B.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Boeing 376.
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar arrays.

## FAQs
### Q: When was SBS 3 launched?
A: SBS 3 was launched on November 11, 1982, aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia as part of the STS-5 mission.

### Q: What was the purpose of SBS 3?
A: SBS 3 was designed to provide telecommunications services, including voice, data, and video transmission, from geostationary orbit.

### Q: Who manufactured SBS 3?
A: The satellite was manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Company using the Boeing 376 spacecraft bus.

## Why It Matters
SBS 3 played a significant role in advancing satellite communications in the 1980s, contributing to the growth of global telecommunications infrastructure. As part of the Satellite Business Systems (SBS) network, it supported commercial and governmental communication needs, demonstrating the viability of satellites for business applications. Its deployment via the Space Shuttle highlighted the shuttle’s utility for commercial satellite launches, a key aspect of NASA’s partnership with private industry during that era. The satellite’s geostationary orbit allowed for continuous coverage of specific regions, enhancing reliability for users reliant on consistent connectivity.

## Notable For
- **Space Shuttle Deployment**: One of the first commercial satellites launched by the Space Shuttle program, specifically during the STS-5 mission.
- **Boeing 376 Bus**: Utilized the reliable Boeing 376 spacecraft bus, a popular platform for communications satellites.
- **Geostationary Operations**: Provided fixed-position orbital coverage, critical for telecommunications services.
- **Solar Power**: Equipped with solar arrays for sustained energy in orbit.

## Body
### Launch Details
- **Date/Time**: Launched on November 11, 1982, at 12:19:00 UTC.
- **Launch Site**: Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
- **Mission**: STS-5, the fifth NASA Space Shuttle mission and the first dedicated to deploying commercial satellites.
- **Deployment**: Released into orbit using a PAM-D (Payload Assist Module) space tug.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 
  - Launch weight: 1,117 kg.
  - Service entry weight: 540 kg.
- **Power**: Solar arrays for energy generation.
- **Manufacturer**: Hughes Aircraft Company (now part of Boeing).
- **Spacecraft Bus**: Boeing 376, a standardized platform for communications satellites.

### Mission and Operations
- **Operator**: Satellite Business Systems (SBS), a joint venture between IBM and Lockheed.
- **Orbit**: Geostationary orbit, maintaining a fixed position relative to Earth’s surface.
- **Purpose**: Deliver telecommunications services, including telephone, data, and broadcast transmissions.

### Legacy
- **Historical Context**: Part of the early 1980s expansion of commercial satellite communications in the U.S.
- **Space Shuttle Era**: Demonstrated the Space Shuttle’s capability to deploy revenue-generating satellites, supporting the economic justification for the program.
- **Technical Heritage**: The Boeing 376 bus design influenced later generations of communications satellites.

## References

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