 | IDSC-P Credit - USAF
| Other Designations: Initial Defense Communictions Satellite Program. Class: Communications. Type: Military. Destination: Geosynchronous Orbit. Nation: USA. Agency: U.S. Air Force. Manufacturer: Aeronutronics. Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP) spacecraft were launched in the 1960's to provide America's first geosynchronous orbit communications system. In late October 1964, Philco-Ford Corporation was assigned prime contractor responsibilities to design, develop and assemble both the satellites and the multiple-launch dispensers for the Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP). Under the overall direction of the Defense Communications Agency, the space hardware portion of the program was the responsibility of the Air Force Space Systems Division, assisted by the Aerospace Corporation. The Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program provided the Pentagon with its first geosynchronous communications system. IDCSP satellites were spin-stabilized 26 sided polygons, 86 cm in diameter, covered with solar panels, and had a mass of 45 kg. 8 were dispensed on a single Titan 3C orbit in slightly sub-synchronous orbits, where they would drift about thirty degrees per day; the idea was that a backup was always visible to the earth station if one failed. On June 16, 1966, an Air Force Titan III-C rocket launched 7 IDCSP satellites (plus a gravity-gradient experimental satellite) into near-synchronous equatorial orbit at an altitude of approximately 34,000 km to initiate the network-19 months from the start of hardware design. On January 18, 1967, 8 additional satellites were launched and on July 1, 1967, 4 more were sent into orbit. IDCSP satellites transmitted reconnaissance photos and other data during the Viet Nam War. They were succeeded by NATO and DSCS true geosynchronous satellites. Typical orbit: 33464 km x 33957 km at 1.2 to 11.9 degrees inclina. Mass: 45 kg (99 lb). Associated Launch Vehicle: Titan 3C. IDCSP Chronology - 1964 October 1 - Philco-Ford contracted for Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP). -
Philco-Ford Corporation was assigned prime contractor responsibilities to design, develop and assemble both the satellites and the multiple-launch dispensers for the Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP). The IDCSP provided the Pentagon with its first geosynchronous communications system.
Bibliography and Further Reading
- McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.
- Bramscher, Robert G, Spaceflight, "A Survey of Launch Vehicle Failures", 1980, Volume 22, page 351.
|