# Telstar 301

> retired American communications satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q14303552](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14303552)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstar_301)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/telstar-301

## Summary
Telstar 301 is a retired American communications satellite launched in 1983 to provide telecommunications services from geostationary orbit. Operated initially by AT&T Corporation and later by the Arab Satellite Communications Organization, it was part of the Telstar 3 series and utilized a Delta 3000 launch vehicle. The satellite was decommissioned around 1993 after a decade of service.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: July 28, 1983, at 22:49 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.
- **Operators**: AT&T Corporation (1983–1995) and Arab Satellite Communications Organization (1995–1996).
- **Manufacturer**: Hughes Aircraft Company, using the Boeing 376 spacecraft bus.
- **Mass**: 1,140 kg at launch, 653 kg at service entry.
- **Dimensions**: 6.84 meters in height and 2.16 meters in diameter.
- **Power**: Equipped with spacecraft solar arrays generating 917 watts.
- **COSPAR ID**: 1983-077A.
- **Retirement**: Service retirement circa 1993.
- **Preceded By**: Telstar 302 (though launch order may vary).

## FAQs
### Q: When was Telstar 301 launched?
A: Telstar 301 was launched on July 28, 1983, at 22:49 UTC from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A aboard a Delta 3000 rocket (D-171 configuration).

### Q: Who operated Telstar 301?
A: The satellite was operated by AT&T Corporation from 1983 to 1995 and later by the Arab Satellite Communications Organization until its retirement in 1996.

### Q: What was Telstar 301 used for?
A: It provided telecommunications services from geostationary orbit, supporting voice, data, and broadcast transmissions.

## Why It Matters
Telstar 301 played a role in advancing global telecommunications during the 1980s and early 1990s, bridging connectivity needs for commercial and international clients. As part of the Telstar 3 series, it exemplified the evolution of satellite technology, incorporating solar power and a reliable spacecraft bus design. Its transition from AT&T to Arab Satellite Communications Organization highlighted the growing demand for satellite services across regions. Though retired, it contributed to the infrastructure that enabled long-distance communication, broadcasting, and early global networking, reflecting the strategic importance of geostationary satellites in maintaining consistent orbital coverage.

## Notable For
- **Dual Operators**: Served under both AT&T and the Arab Satellite Communications Organization, demonstrating adaptability in satellite management.
- **Boeing 376 Bus**: Utilized a widely adopted spacecraft platform known for reliability and modular design.
- **Solar Power**: Featured solar arrays generating 917 watts, showcasing early sustainable power solutions in space systems.
- **Telstar 3 Series**: Represented a generation of satellites that expanded telecommunications capacity in the 1980s.

## Body
### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch Vehicle**: Delta 3000 (D-171 configuration), a U.S. expendable launch system.
- **Launch Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 17A.
- **Space Tug**: Used a PAM-D (Payload Assist Module) for orbital insertion.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 
  - Launch weight: 1,140 kg.
  - Service entry weight: 653 kg.
- **Dimensions**:
  - Height: 6.84 meters.
  - Diameter: 2.16 meters.
- **Power**: Solar arrays with 917 watts output.
- **Orbit**: Geostationary, providing fixed-position coverage.

### Operational History
- **Primary Operator**: AT&T Corporation (1983–1995).
- **Secondary Operator**: Arab Satellite Communications Organization (1995–1996).
- **Service Period**: Approximately 10 years, retiring circa 1993.

### Retirement
- **Decommissioning**: Service retirement around 1993, with formal end of operations by 1996.
- **Legacy**: Part of the Telstar 3 series, contributing to the development of modern communications satellite networks.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Telstar 301",
  "description": "Retired American communications satellite launched in 1983, part of the Telstar 3 series.",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstar_301",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17073409",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telstar_301"
  ],
  "additionalType": [
    "https://schema.org/Satellite",
    "https://schema.org/CommunicationsSatellite"
  ],
  "manufacturer": "Hughes Aircraft Company",
  "operator": [
    {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "AT&T Corporation",
      "activePeriod": {
        "startDate": "1983",
        "endDate": "1995"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "Arab Satellite Communications Organization",
      "activePeriod": {
        "startDate": "1995",
        "endDate": "1996"
      }
    }
  ],
  "launchDate": "1983-07-28",
  "cosparId": "1983-077A",
  "mass": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 1140,
    "unitText": "kg",
    "description": "Launch weight"
  },
  "height": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 6.84,
    "unitText": "m"
  },
  "diameter": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": 2.16,
    "unitText": "m"
  }
}

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/telstar-3.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report