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AMC-3 (24936)
COSPAR: 1997-050A | Alt Name: GE 3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 4, 1997
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36A
Launch Vehicle
Atlas IIAS
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
24936
International Designator
1997-050A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:14:00 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
8.20°
Right Ascension
63.80°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
42.50°
Period
1453.55 min
Mean Motion
0.99 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
AMC-3
Alternative Name
GE 3
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
AMCG
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 24936U 97050A 26184.96806113 -.00000263 00000-0 00000-0 0 9992
2 24936 8.2029 63.7990 0004426 42.5025 320.9521 0.99067613 52601
Source: Celestrak
Summary
AMC-3 (also known as GE 3) is a communication satellite with a NORAD catalog ID of 24936 and an object ID of 1997-050A, operated by AMCG. It was launched on September 4, 1997, from the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR), using the Atlas IIAS launch vehicle from Launch Complex 36A. The satellite has a box shape with two panels and is equipped with 2 deployable solar arrays and batteries for power generation. It carries 24 C-band transponders and 24 Ku-band transponders, weighing 1300 kg dry and 2845 kg at launch. Manufactured by LMTEW (Lockheed Martin Telecommunications & Electronics West), AMC-3 was designed to operate for a 15-year lifetime with a Leros 1C motor. Its dimensions are 2.6 meters in length, 1.8 meters in diameter, and spans 22 meters when deployed.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.6
Diameter
1.8
Span
22
Dry Mass
1300
Launch Mass
2845
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
8.3589
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
GE 3
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
LMTEW
Life Expectancy
15 years
Bus
A2100
Configuration
A2100A
Motor
Leros 1C
Equipment
24 C-band transponders, 24 Ku-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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