# Syncom 3

> communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q1293053](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1293053)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/syncom-3

## Summary
Syncom 3 is a communications satellite launched on August 19, 1964. Manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Company, it was placed into geostationary orbit using a Delta D launch vehicle. It is also known by the alias Synchronous Communications Satellite 3.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of:** Communications satellite.
- **Launch Date:** August 19, 1964.
- **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Delta D (American expendable launch vehicle).
- **Manufacturer:** Hughes Aircraft Company.
- **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1964-047A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 00858.
- **Aliases:** Synchronous Communications Satellite 3.

## FAQs
### Q: When was Syncom 3 launched?
A: Syncom 3 was launched on August 19, 1964.

### Q: Who manufactured Syncom 3?
A: Syncom 3 was manufactured by the Hughes Aircraft Company.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Syncom 3?
A: The satellite was launched using a Delta D rocket, an American expendable launch vehicle.

### Q: What type of orbit does Syncom 3 occupy?
A: Syncom 3 is a satellite of geostationary orbit.

## Why It Matters
Syncom 3 represents a significant development in space-based telecommunications infrastructure. As a communications satellite positioned in geostationary orbit, it was engineered to maintain a fixed position relative to Earth, facilitating reliable long-distance signal transmission. Launched in the mid-1960s, it utilized the Delta D launch vehicle to reach its operational altitude from Cape Canaveral.

The project highlights the collaboration between private aerospace manufacturing—specifically Hughes Aircraft Company—and launch operations. Its identification as a distinct entity in multiple international registries (such as COSPAR and the Satellite Catalog) underscores its role in the tracked history of artificial satellites.

## Notable For
- Being an early communications satellite designed specifically for geostationary orbit.
- Utilizing the Delta D, an American expendable launch vehicle, for its deployment.
- Being manufactured by Hughes Aircraft Company, a major aerospace defense contractor.
- Launching from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17, a historic launch site.
- Possessing a unique COSPAR ID (1964-047A) and Satellite Catalog Number (00858).

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
Syncom 3 underwent a successful rocket launch on August 19, 1964. The mission originated from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17. The launch was facilitated by a Delta D vehicle, classified as an American expendable launch vehicle. This event is recorded as a significant milestone in the satellite's operational timeline.

### Technical Specifications and Identity
The entity is officially classified as a communications satellite, defined as an artificial satellite designed for telecommunications.
- **COSPAR ID:** 1964-047A
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** 00858
- **Manufacturer:** Hughes Aircraft Company

### Orbital Characteristics
The satellite operates as a satellite of geostationary orbit. This orbital path allows the satellite to match the Earth's rotation, providing a consistent point of reference for ground stations.

### Academic and Registry Recognition
Syncom 3 is documented across various knowledge bases and registries:
- **Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID:** topic/Syncom-3
- **Wikipedia Languages:** Available in German (de), Hungarian (hu), Latvian (lv), and Polish (pl).
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "00858"]
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID:** /g/122g8v7v

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report