Intelsat-3 [Intelsat]
Official name INTELSAT 3-F2
Alternative name Intelsat III F-2
Cospar ID 1968-116A
Norad ID 3623
Launch date 1968-12-19
Launch site AFETR
Launch vehicle Delta-M
Country/Organization International
Type application Communication
Operator Intelsat
RCS size LARGE
Decay date ON ORBIT
Period (min) 1596.55
Inclination (deg) 6.04
Perigee (km) 38457
Apogee (km) 39286
Eccentricity 0.0106633394646463
Mean motion (revs. per day) 0.901944818514923
Semi-Major axis (km) 45249.635
Raan (deg) 297.882
Arg of perigee (deg) 75.9953
Shape Cyl
Mass (kg) 135.78
Diameter (m) 1.42
Height (m) 1.04
Span (m^2) 1.42
Lifetime 5 years
Contractors TRW
Equipment 2 transponders
Propulsion SVM-2
Power Solar cells (body mounted), batteries

The Intelsat 3 spacecraft were used to relay commercial global telecommunications including live TV. Three of the 8 satellites in the series (F1, F5, F8) were unusable due to launch vehicle failures, and most of the remainder did not achieve their desired lifetimes. F2 operated for 1.5 years, F3 was partially operational for 7 years, F4 lasted 3 years, F6 survived 2 years, and F7 remained usable for 16 years.

Intesat-3 spacecraft were spin stabilized with a despun antenna structure (34 inch tall antenna). Hydrazine propulsion system with 4 thrusters and 4 tanks. Passive thermal control. Body mounted solar cells produced 178 W peak, 9 AHr NiCd batteries. The payload consisted of two transponders using 12 Watt TWTA amplifiers for multiple access, 1500 voice circuits or 4 TV channels.

Satellite COSPAR Date LS Launch Vehicle Remarks
INTELSAT 3-F2 1968-116A 1968-12-19 AFETR Delta-M
INTELSAT 3-F3 1969-011A 1969-02-06 AFETR Delta-M
INTELSAT 3-F4 1969-045A 1969-05-22 AFETR Delta-M
INTELSAT 3-F5 1969-064A 1969-07-26 AFETR Delta-M
INTELSAT 3-F6 1970-003A 1970-01-15 AFETR Delta-M
INTELSAT 3-F7 1970-032A 1970-04-23 AFETR Delta-M
INTELSAT 3-F8 1970-055A 1970-07-23 AFETR Delta-M