The NATO Satellite Communications System provided immediate communications links
between officials of the various NATO nations. The satellites feature ultra-high,
super-high and extremely-high frequency transponders with three horn antennas capable of
providing secure voice and fax services to hundreds of NATO users simultaneously. Members
of an Air Force Space Command unit provided command and control for the NATO system.
The NATO-3 series were spin stabilized satellites with a design life of 7 years. They
were built by Ford Aerospace.
