ASC 2 [GE Astro-Space]
Official name ASC 1
Alternative name ASC 1
Cospar ID 1985-076C
Norad ID 15994
Launch date 1985-08-27
Launch site AFETR
Launch vehicle Shuttle [PAM-D]
Country/Organization USA
Type application Communication
Operator Contel → GTE
RCS size LARGE
Decay date ON ORBIT
Period (min) 1435.97
Inclination (deg) 14.29
Perigee (km) 35759
Apogee (km) 35809
Eccentricity 0.000698636262016544
Mean motion (revs. per day) 1.00280646531613
Semi-Major axis (km) 42162.135
Raan (deg) 349.1107
Arg of perigee (deg) 85.0875
Shape Hex Poly + 2 Pan
Mass (kg) 665.01
Height (m) 1.32
Width (m) 0.99
Depth (m) 0.99
Span (m^2) 1.62
Lifetime 10 years
Contractors RCA Astro → GE Astro
Equipment 18 C-band, 6 Ku-band transponders
Propulsion Star-30C
Configuration AS-3000
Power 2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

The ASC series consisted of three satellites built by GE Astro-Space for Contel ASC and carried 18 C-band and 6 Ku-band transponders for TV news and interactive data transmissions to private networks and small terminals.

ASC 1 was launched by Shuttle [PAM-D] in 1985.

ASC 2 was launched by a Delta-7925 in 1991. A subsequent merger between Contel and GTE Spacenet brought the satellite into the GTE fold; its name was changed to Spacenet 4 after launch. Stationed above 101 deg. West, it joined three Spacenet satellites, four GStars and ASC 1 to complete the merged GTE/Contel constellation. The existing fleet was covering for 3 Ku-band transponders aboard Spacenet 4 that failed on orbit.

ASC 3 was not needed and sold to PanAmSat as PAS 1.

This series was box-shaped, measuring 1 by 1.3 by 1.6 m. Solar arrays spanned 14.1 m. It has a 10-year design life.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
ASC 1 1985-076C 1985-08-27 AFETR Shuttle [PAM-D] with Discovery F6 (STS 51-I), Leasat 4, Aussat A1
SPACENET 4 (ASC 2) 1991-028A 1991-04-13 AFETR Delta-7925