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SATCOM 3 (11635)
COSPAR: 1979-101A | Alt Name: Satcom 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 7, 1979
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17A
Launch Vehicle
Delta 3914
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
11635
International Designator
1979-101A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 16:38:03 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
8.81°
Right Ascension
80.53°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
110.25°
Period
788.93 min
Mean Motion
1.83 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SATCOM 3
Alternative Name
Satcom 3
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
AMC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 11635U 79101A 26184.69309837 -.00000068 00000-0 00000-0 0 9995
2 11635 8.8137 80.5269 4807396 110.2481 58.7310 1.82524657224270
Source: Celestrak
Summary
SATCOM 3 was a communication satellite launched by AMC on December 7, 1979, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's LC17A using the Delta 3914 launch vehicle. The spacecraft had dimensions of 1.3 meters in length and diameter with a span of 11.3 meters and was equipped with 24 C-band transponders for communication purposes. It had a dry mass of 335 kilograms and a launch mass of 433 kilograms, powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. Manufactured by RCA, the satellite operated under the AS-3000 configuration and featured a box-shaped structure with two panels. Its expected lifetime was between 7 to 8 years, depending on its series.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.3
Diameter
1.3
Span
11.3
Dry Mass
335
Launch Mass
433
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
6.6233
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
RCA-C
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
RCA
Life Expectancy
7 years (#1, 2); 8 years (#3, 3R, 4)
Bus
Satcom
Configuration
AS-3000
Motor
SVM-7
Equipment
24 C-band transponders
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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