DSCS III
Defense Satellite Communications System III
Part of the DSCS
(Defense Satellite Communications System) program
DSCS provides secure voice and data communications for the US military.
The contract is managed by the DCA (Defense Communications Agency) for
the USAF. Recurring cost is quoted as $160 million in Aviation Week (8/7/95).
Spacecraft
3-axis stabilization (0.1 deg control in pitch, roll)
using reaction wheels, earth and sun sensors. Two articulated solar arrays
produce 1240 W (BOL), NiCd batteries with 105 AHr, 28V bus. S-Band (SGLS)
and X-Band command and telemetry links. Blowdown hydrazine propulsion system
with 16 x 1-lbf thrusters.
Payload
Six SHF channels. Ch1: 50 MHz, 40 W; Ch2: 75 MHz,
40 W; Ch3: 85 MHz, 10 W; Ch4: 85 MHz, 10 W; Ch5: 60 MHz, 10 W; Ch6: 50
MHz, 10 W. Full Earth and narrow coverage capabilities. Receive antennas:
two Earth coverage horns, one steerable 61-beam nulling lens. Transmit
antennas: two Earth coverage horns, two steerable 19-beam wave guide lens,
one high gain parabolic gimballed dish.
| Country of Origin |
United States |
| Customer/User |
USAF |
| Manufacturer(s) |
GE Astro Space |
| Size |
2.1 x 1.9 x 2.0 m bus, 11.5 m solar array
span |
| Orbit |
Geosynchronous |
| Design Life |
10 years |
Launch Facts
 |
 |
| Name |
Int'l Desig. |
Date |
Site |
Vehicle |
Orbit |
Mass(kg) |
| Notes |
|
|
| DSCS 3 F1 |
1982-106B |
10/30/82 |
ESMC |
Titan 34D IUS |
GEO |
|
| Defense Satellite Communications
System |
|
| DSCS 3 F2 (USA 11) |
1985-092C ? |
10/3/85 |
ESMC |
STS 51J |
GEO |
|
| Defense Satellite Communications
System; released from STS 51J 10/4/85; boosted into orbit with DSCS 3 F3
on single IUS booster |
|
| DSCS 3 F3 (USA 12) |
1985-092D ? |
10/3/85 |
ESMC |
STS 51J |
GEO |
|
| Defense Satellite Communications
System; released from STS 51J 10/4/85; boosted into orbit with DSCS 3 F2
on single IUS booster |
|
| DSCS 3 F4 (USA 44) |
1989-069B |
9/4/89 |
ESMC |
Titan 34D |
GEO |
|
| Defense Satellite Communications
System |
|
| DSCS 3 F7 (USA 93) |
1993-046A |
7/19/93 |
ESMC |
Atlas 2 |
GEO |
2615 |
| Defense Satellite Communications
System |
|
| DSCS 3 F8 (USA 97) |
1993-074A |
11/28/93 |
ESMC |
Atlas 2 |
GEO |
2615 |
| Defense Satellite Communications
System |
|
| DSCS 3 F9 (USA 113) |
1995-038A |
7/31/95 |
ESMC |
Atlas 2A |
GEO |
2610 |
| Defense Satellite Communications
System |
|
Information in The Mission and Spacecraft Library is
provided without warranty or guarantee.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. |
