table4.97

SP-4012 NASA HISTORICAL DATA BOOK: VOLUME III
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS 1969-1978

Table 4-97. Comstar 1 Characteristics

Also called:

Comstar D-1

Date of launch (location):

May 13, 1976 (ETR)

Launch vehicle:

Atlas SLV-3D-Centaur D-1A

Weight (kg):

816.5

Shape:

Cylindrical with a parabolic antenna and reflectors mounted on one end.

Dimensions (m):

0.61 height

0.24 diameter

Power source:

Solar cells plus NiCd batteries

NASA's role:

Launch vehicle (reimbursable)

Cooperating organizations:

NASA and COMSAT

Prime contractor:

Hughes Aircraft Co.

Responsible NASA center:

Langley Research Center

Mission project engineer:

Kenneth A. Adams

Objectives:

To provide commercial telephone communications for seven years from geosynchronous orbit.

Results:

Successful; first in a series; leased to AT&T and GTE Satellite Corp.; began service in July 1976; provided 14 000 two-way high-quality voice circuits.

Reference: NASA Hq., "Project COMSTAR I-A," Press Release 76-75, Apr. 27, 1976; and COMSAT General Corp., "The Launch of COMSTAR," May 1976.

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Also called:	Comstar D-1
Date of launch (location):	May 13, 1976 (ETR)
Launch vehicle:	Atlas SLV-3D-Centaur D-1A
Weight (kg):	816.5
Shape:	Cylindrical with a parabolic antenna and reflectors mounted on one end.
Dimensions (m):	0.61 height
Dimensions (m):	0.24 diameter
Power source:	Solar cells plus NiCd batteries
NASA's role:	Launch vehicle (reimbursable)
Cooperating organizations:	NASA and COMSAT
Prime contractor:	Hughes Aircraft Co.
Responsible NASA center:	Langley Research Center
Mission project engineer:	Kenneth A. Adams
Objectives:	To provide commercial telephone communications for seven years from geosynchronous orbit.
Results:	Successful; first in a series; leased to AT&T and GTE Satellite Corp.; began service in July 1976; provided 14 000 two-way high-quality voice circuits.