# Small Astronomy Satellite 3

> NASA space observatory

**Wikidata**: [Q490351](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q490351)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Astronomy_Satellite_3)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/small-astronomy-satellite-3

## Summary
Small Astronomy Satellite 3 (SAS-3) was a NASA space observatory launched on May 7, 1975, aboard a Scout F rocket from the Broglio Space Centre. As part of the Explorer program with the designation Explorer 53, it served as the third satellite in the Small Astronomy Satellite series.

## Key Facts
- Small Astronomy Satellite 3 was launched on May 7, 1975
- It was launched aboard a Scout F rocket from the Broglio Space Centre
- SAS-3 is also known by the names SAS-C, Explorer 53, SAS3, SAS-3, and Эксплорер-53
- It was preceded by Small Astronomy Satellite 2 in the Small Astronomy Satellite series
- The satellite's COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID are both 1975-037A
- Small Astronomy Satellite 3 is classified as a space telescope
- It was operated by the United States
- The satellite has 12 sitelinks across various language Wikipedia editions

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of Small Astronomy Satellite 3?
A: Small Astronomy Satellite 3 was a NASA space observatory designed to observe cosmic X-ray sources. It was part of the Small Astronomy Satellite series and contributed to astronomical research from space.

### Q: How did Small Astronomy Satellite 3 get to space?
A: SAS-3 was launched on May 7, 1975, aboard a Scout F rocket from the Broglio Space Centre. The launch was a significant rocket launch event for NASA.

### Q: What other names is Small Astronomy Satellite 3 known by?
A: The satellite has several aliases including SAS 3, SAS-C, Explorer 53, SAS3, SAS-3, and the Russian name Эксплорер-53.

### Q: Which program did Small Astronomy Satellite 3 belong to?
A: SAS-3 was part of NASA's Explorer program and followed Small Astronomy Satellite 2 in the Small Astronomy Satellite series.

## Why It Matters
Small Astronomy Satellite 3 represented an important advancement in space-based astronomy, particularly in the field of X-ray astronomy. As the third satellite in the Small Astronomy Satellite series, it continued NASA's commitment to space observatories. Its launch in 1975 aboard a Scout F rocket expanded the capabilities for observing cosmic X-ray sources from space. SAS-3 contributed to our understanding of high-energy phenomena in the universe, building on the foundation laid by its predecessor SAS-2.

## Notable For
- Being the third satellite in the Small Astronomy Satellite series
- Its launch from the Broglio Space Centre using a Scout F rocket
- Having multiple aliases including SAS-C and Explorer 53
- Being part of NASA's Explorer program with the COSPAR ID 1975-037A
- Having Wikipedia coverage in 10 different languages, reflecting its international significance

## Body
### Basic Information
Small Astronomy Satellite 3 (SAS-3) was a NASA space observatory launched on May 7, 1975. It is officially known by multiple aliases including SAS 3, SAS-C, Explorer 53, SAS3, SAS-3, and the Russian name Эксплорер-53. The satellite has a COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID of 1975-037A.

### Launch Details
SAS-3 was launched aboard a Scout F rocket from the Broglio Space Centre. The launch was a significant event occurring on May 7, 1975. The Scout F sounding rocket was the launch vehicle used for this mission.

### Classification and Relationships
Small Astronomy Satellite 3 is classified as a space telescope, an instrument designed for observing distant space objects from outer space. In NASA's Explorer program, it followed Small Astronomy Satellite 2. The satellite was operated by the United States.

### Digital Presence
The satellite has 12 sitelinks across various language Wikipedia editions, indicating its coverage in Arabic, Catalan, German, English, Persian, French, Galician, Indonesian, Italian, and Wikimedia Commons. Its Commons category is "Explorer 53." The satellite has an SCN number of 07788.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Small Astronomy Satellite 3",
  "description": "NASA space observatory launched on May 7, 1975",
  "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Explorer-53_SAS-C.jpg",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2700260",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small_Astronomy_Satellite_3"
  ],
  "additionalType": "space telescope",
  "identifier": [
    "1975-037A",
    "07788"
  ],
  "countryOfOrigin": "United States",
  "launchDate": "1975-05-07",
  "launchVehicle": "Scout F",
  "parentOrganization": "NASA"
}

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013