Atlas 2AS

The Atlas II booster was 2.7-meters longer than the Atlas I and included uprated Rocketdyne MA-5A engines. The Atlas I vernier engines were replaced with a hydrazine roll control system. The Centaur stage was stretched 0.9-meters compared to the Centaur I stage. Fixed foam insulation replaced Atlas I's jettisonable insulation panels. Higher performance RL10A-4 or RL10A-4-1 engines replaced Atlas II's RL10A-3-3A. The Atlas IIAS model added four Thiokol Castor IVA solid rocket boosters (SRBs) to the core Atlas stage to augment thrust for the first two minutes of flight.

The RL10A-4 and RL10A-4-1 engines were offered with or without extendable nozzles (which increased engine specific impulse, providing additional performance if required). The Atlas IIAS' first SRB pair was ignited at liftoff and burned for 54 seconds. The second pair was ignited in flight when vehicle loading constraints were satisfied. Both pairs were jettisoned shortly after their respective burnouts. The first Atlas IIAS successfully launched AC-108 / Telstar 401 on 15 December 1993.

Manufacturer: Convair. Launches: 30. Success Rate: 100.00%. First Launch Date: 1993-12-16. Last Launch Date: 2004-08-31. Launch data is: complete. LEO Payload: 8,610 kg (18,980 lb). to: 185 km Orbit. at: 28.50 degrees. Payload: 3,630 kg (8,000 lb). to a: Geosynchronous transfer trajectory. Apogee: 400,000 km (240,000 mi). Associated Spacecraft: AS 2100, AS 7000, FS-1300, HS 601, NOSS-3, SDS-2, SOHO, Spacebus 3000, Terra. Liftoff Thrust: 3,546.300 kN (797,240 lbf). Total Mass: 234,000 kg (515,000 lb). Core Diameter: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Total Length: 47.50 m (155.80 ft). Launch Price $: 105.000 million. in: 1994 price dollars.

• Stage Number: 0. 4 x Stage: Castor 4A. Gross Mass: 11,743 kg (25,888 lb). Empty Mass: 1,529 kg (3,370 lb). Thrust (vac): 478.309 kN (107,528 lbf). Isp: 266 sec. Burn time: 56 sec. Isp(sl): 237 sec. Diameter: 1.02 m (3.34 ft). Span: 1.02 m (3.34 ft). Length: 9.12 m (29.92 ft). Propellants: Solid. No Engines: 1. Engine: Castor 4A. Status: Out of production.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Atlas MA-5AS. Gross Mass: 5,632 kg (12,416 lb). Empty Mass: 5,632 kg (12,416 lb). Thrust (vac): 2,093.700 kN (470,682 lbf). Isp: 299 sec. Burn time: 172 sec. Isp(sl): 263 sec. Diameter: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Span: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Length: 0.00 m ( ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 2. Engine: RS-56-OBA. Status: Out of production.

• Stage Number: 2. 1 x Stage: Atlas IIAS. Gross Mass: 161,950 kg (357,030 lb). Empty Mass: 6,050 kg (13,330 lb). Thrust (vac): 386.300 kN (86,844 lbf). Isp: 316 sec. Burn time: 283 sec. Isp(sl): 220 sec. Diameter: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Span: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Length: 24.90 m (81.60 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: RS-56-OSA. Status: Out of production.

• Stage Number: 3. 1 x Stage: Centaur IIA. Gross Mass: 19,073 kg (42,048 lb). Empty Mass: 2,293 kg (5,055 lb). Thrust (vac): 185.012 kN (41,592 lbf). Isp: 449 sec. Burn time: 392 sec. Isp(sl): 0 sec. Diameter: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Span: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Length: 10.10 m (33.10 ft). Propellants: Lox/LH2. No Engines: 2. Engine: RL-10A-4. Status: Out of production.

1993 December 16 - 00:38 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC36. Launch Pad: LC36B. Launch Vehicle: Atlas IIAS. Model: Atlas IIAS. LV Configuration: Atlas IIAS AC-108 / Centaur II 8201.

• Telstar 401 Nation: USA. Program: Telstar. Mass: 3,375 kg (7,440 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 7000. Agency: AT&T. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Perigee: 35,759 km (22,219 mi). Apogee: 35,821 km (22,258 mi). Inclination: 4.30 deg. Period: 1,436.30 min. COSPAR: 1993-077A. USAF Sat Cat: 22927. Completed Operations Date: 1997-01-11. Stationed at 97 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit with IFR trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 97 deg W in 1994-1997 As of 5 September 2001 located at 100.42 deg W drifting at 0.039 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 97.36W drifting at 0.024W degrees per day.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Intelsat 703 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Payload: NSS 703. Mass: 3,656 kg (8,060 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.0400 deg. Period: 1,436.07 min. COSPAR: 1994-064A. USAF Sat Cat: 23305. 38 C-band and 20 Ku-band transponders. Initially positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 177 deg E in 1994-1996. Then reassigned to Intelsat subsidiary New Skies, redesignated NSS 703, and moved to 57 deg E after 1996. At the crossroads of three continents, NSS-703 provided cross-connectivity for Europe, Africa and Asia. NSS-703 was used for video contribution from Europe to India and Africa, and was capable of bringing signals from London to India and Australia in one hop. NSS-703's coverage included a global beam, and two C-band hemispheric beams, which covered Africa and the triangle from Eastern Iran to Japan and Australia, including all of India and China. Three steerable Ku-band spot beams targeted Europe and Iran, Central Asia and Afghanistan-Pakistan-North India. Expected end of life March 2009. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 56.96E drifting at 0.001E degrees per day.References: 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Intelsat 704 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Mass: 3,656 kg (8,060 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. COSPAR: 1995-001A. USAF Sat Cat: 23461. Stationed at 66.0 deg E. Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 66 deg E in 1995-1999 As of 29 August 2001 located at 66.03 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 66.03E drifting at 0.002W degrees per day.References: 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Intelsat 705 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Mass: 3,669 kg (8,088 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: Intelsat. Perigee: 35,776 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1995-013A. USAF Sat Cat: 23528. Stationed at 50.1 deg W. Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 50 deg W in 1995-1996; 18 deg W in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 17.97 deg W drifting at 0.006 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 50.01W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.References: 2, 5, 6, 278.

• General Dynamics Space Division bought by Martin Nation: USA. References: 4460.

• Lockheed Aircraft Corporation merged with Martin to form Lockheed Martin Nation: USA. Atlas assembly line moved from Kearney Mesa, California, to Littleton, Colorado References: 4460.

• JCSAT 3 Nation: Japan. Program: JCSAT. Mass: 1,841 kg (4,058 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: JSAT. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.20 min. COSPAR: 1995-043A. USAF Sat Cat: 23649. 8 transponders for digital TV. Stationed at 128.1 deg E. Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with IFR/MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 128 deg E in 1995-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 128.05 deg E drifting at 0.005 deg E per day. As of 2007 Feb 20 located at 126.99E drifting at 0.144W degrees per day.References: 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Final Atlas produced in California. Nation: USA. Ceremony commemorating final Atlas (AC-126) produced at Kearny Mesa plant References: 4460.

• SOHO Nation: Europe. Mass: 1,850 kg (4,070 lb). Class: Astronomy. Spacecraft: SOHO. Agency: ESA. Perigee: 8,973 km (5,575 mi). Apogee: 671,400 km (417,100 mi). Inclination: 29.60 deg. Period: 29,196.30 min. COSPAR: 1995-065A. USAF Sat Cat: 23726. Solar and Heliospheric Observatory; orbiting at L1 Lagrange point; solar physics. En route Earth-Sun L1 point Earth-Sun L1 libration point transfer trajectory. Inertial trajectory option. References: 2, 5, 6, 278.

• Palapa C-1 Nation: Indonesia. Program: Palapa. Payload: Palapa C1. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: Satelind. Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,798 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1996-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 23779. 30 C-band, 6 Ku-band transponders. Geostationary at 150.4E. Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with IFR/MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 113 deg E in 1996; 150 deg E in 1996-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 50.03 deg E drifting at 0.006 deg E per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 38.04E drifting at 0.007E degrees per day.References: 4, 6, 278.

• JCSAT 4 Nation: Japan. Program: JCSAT. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: JSAT. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1997-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 24732. Geosynchronous. Stationed over 150.0E Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with IFR/MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 150 deg E in 1997-1998; 124 deg E in 1998-1999; 127 deg E in 1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 127.02 deg E drifting at 0.015 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 7 located at 150.01E drifting at 0.008W degrees per day.References: 4, 278.

• Superbird C Nation: Japan. Program: Superbird. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: SCC. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1997-036A. USAF Sat Cat: 24880. Geosynchronous. Stationed over 144.0E Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with IFR/MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 144 deg E in 1997-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 144.00 deg E drifting at 0.014 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 143.94E drifting at 0.009W degrees per day.References: 4, 278.

• GE 3 Nation: USA. Program: Americom. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 2100. Agency: GE Americom. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Telecommunications, East Windsor (formerly RCA). Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1997-050A. USAF Sat Cat: 24936. Geosynchronous. Stationed over 87.1W Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with IFR/MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 87 deg W in 1997-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 87.12 deg W drifting at 0.002 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 86.99W drifting at 0.010W degrees per day.References: 4, 278.

• Echostar 3 Nation: USA. Program: Echostar. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 7000. Agency: Echostar. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin. Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,794 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1997-059A. USAF Sat Cat: 25004. Geosynchronous. Stationed over 61.4W Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with IFR/MRS trajectory option. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 61 deg W in 1997-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 61.53 deg W drifting at 0.017 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 61.50W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.References: 4, 278.

• Galaxy 8i Nation: USA. Program: Galaxy. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: Panamsat. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Perigee: 35,781 km (22,233 mi). Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1997-078A. USAF Sat Cat: 25086. Geosynchronous. Stationed over 79.2W Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit with MRS trajectory option. Used HS-601 XIPS ion engine for station keeping. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 95 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 3 September 2001 located at 94.92 deg W drifting at 0.000 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 37.58W drifting at 2.053W degrees per day.References: 4, 278.

• Intelsat 806 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Payload: NSS 806. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 7000. Agency: Intelsat. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Telecommunications, East Windsor (formerly RCA). Perigee: 35,775 km (22,229 mi). Apogee: 35,799 km (22,244 mi). Inclination: 0.10 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 25239. Initially positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 40 deg W in 1998-2001. 36 C-band and 6 Ku-band transponders. Later assigned to Intelsat spin-off New Skies, redesignated NSS-806, and moved to 319.5º East, giving it an optimum view of Latin American markets while also reaching the Iberian peninsula, the Canary Islands, Western Europe and much of Eastern Europe. Its tailored, high-powered hemispheric beam provided simultaneous coverage of both Europe and the Americas, with virtually complete coverage of North, Central and South America, therefore ensuring the maximum reach throughout Spanish and Portuguese speaking markets. Expected end of life July 2016. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 40.47W drifting at 0.007W degrees per day.References: 4, 276, 278.

• Intelsat 805 Nation: International. Program: Intelsat. Mass: 3,520 kg (7,760 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 7000. Agency: Intelsat. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Telecommunications, East Windsor (formerly RCA). Perigee: 35,775 km (22,229 mi). Apogee: 35,800 km (22,200 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1998-037A. USAF Sat Cat: 25371. Satellite had 28 C-band and 3 Ku-band transponders, and initially served the Atlantic Ocean region for INTELSAT. Launch vehicle put payload into geosynchronous transfer orbit with GCS trajectory option. Geostationary at 55.5 degrees W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 55 deg W in 1998-1999 As of 5 September 2001 located at 55.52 deg W drifting at 0.009 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 55.54W drifting at 0.012W degrees per day.References: , 278.

• JCSAT-6 Nation: Japan. Program: JCSAT. Mass: 2,900 kg (6,300 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: JSAT. Manufacturer: Hughes Space and Communications, El Segundo. Perigee: 35,784 km (22,235 mi). Apogee: 35,791 km (22,239 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1999-006A. USAF Sat Cat: 25630. JCSAT-6 carried a Ku-band relay system. It was operated by Japan Satellite Systems, Inc., Tokyo, provided communications and data relay for Japan and the Pacific Rim. Two burns of the Centaur upper stage placed it into a supersynchronous transfer orbit of 258 km x 96736 km x 24.1 degrees. JCSAT-6's on-board R-4D engine would maneuver it into its final geostationary location. Dry mass of the spacecraft was 1230 kg. Stationed at 124 deg E Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 123 deg E in 1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 124.00 deg E drifting at 0.014 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 124.01E drifting at 0.011W degrees per day.

• Eutelsat W3 Nation: Europe. Program: Eutelsat. Payload: Spacebus 3000B2. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000. Agency: Eutelsat. Manufacturer: Alcatel, Cannes. Perigee: 35,774 km (22,228 mi). Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 1999-018A. USAF Sat Cat: 25673. Communications satellite is for the European Telecommunications Satellite Organization. The vehicle entered a 153 km x 385 km x 27.4 deg parking orbit nine minutes after launch. The second Centaur stage burn delivered the satellite to a 166 km x 46,076 km x 19.7 deg super-synchronous transfer orbit. The satellite was stationed at 7 deg E and carried 24 Ku-band transponders with a wide beam covering Europe, North Africa and Asia, and a spot beam for digital TV to Turkey. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 7 deg E in 1999. As of 26 August 2001 located at 7.01 deg E drifting at 0.004 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 7 located at 21.59E drifting at 0.003E degrees per day.

• Echostar 5 Nation: USA. Program: Echostar. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: Echostar. Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto. Perigee: 35,777 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,795 km (22,241 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 1999-050A. USAF Sat Cat: 25913. The Centaur second stage put Echostar 5 into a supersynchronous transfer orbit of 131 km x 45526 km x 26.6 degrees. The satellite's own engine put it into the final geosynchronous orbit. Echostar 5 was a Ku-band satellite, part of the Dish Network. Stationed at 110 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 110 deg W in 1999. As of 5 September 2001 located at 110.01 deg W drifting at 0.003 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 128.86W drifting at 0.001E degrees per day.

• Terra Nation: USA. Payload: EOS-AM1. Mass: 4,854 kg (10,701 lb). Class: Earth. Spacecraft: Terra. Agency: NASA GSF. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin, Valley Forge. Perigee: 702 km (436 mi). Apogee: 703 km (436 mi). Inclination: 98.20 deg. Period: 98.80 min. COSPAR: 1999-068A. USAF Sat Cat: 25994. First launch in NASA's Earth Observing System program. Terra carried multispectral imagers, a radiation budget instrument, a detector to measure CO and methane pollution, and an instrument to study cloud top and vegetation properties. References: 4, 552, 554.

• Hispasat 1C Nation: Spain. Program: Hispasat. Mass: 3,112 kg (6,860 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000. Agency: Hispasat. Manufacturer: Alcatel, Cannes. Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,796 km (22,242 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2000-007A. USAF Sat Cat: 26071. Spanish domestic geosynchronous communications satellite. Stationed at 30 deg W. Positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 30 deg W in 2000. As of 3 September 2001 located at 30.14 deg W drifting at 0.013 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 30.01W drifting at 0.005W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• Echostar 6 Nation: USA. Program: Echostar. Mass: 3,700 kg (8,100 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: FS-1300. Agency: Echostar. Manufacturer: Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto. Perigee: 35,779 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,793 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-038A. USAF Sat Cat: 26402. Communications satellite, positioned in geosynchronous orbit at 149 deg W. By 5 September 2001 located at 119.07 deg W drifting at 0.002 deg W per day. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 110.39W drifting at 0.006W degrees per day. References: 4, 552, 554.

• USA 155 Nation: USA. Payload: Capricorn 2? / MLV-11 'Great Bear'. Mass: 3,600 kg (7,900 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: SDS-3. Agency: NRO. Manufacturer: Boeing-ES. Perigee: 35,780 km (22,230 mi). Apogee: 35,790 km (22,230 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. COSPAR: 2000-080A. USAF Sat Cat: 26635. Classified satellite. Launch delayed 24 hours by RL10 engine problem in upper stage. USA 155 was a classified National Reconnaissance Office satellite. The Centaur placed the payload in a 176 x 831 km parking orbit and then in a 270 x 37490 km x 26.5 deg geostationary transfer orbit. The spacecraft was probably either a data relay satellite (to relay spy satellite imagery and data to the ground) and/or a signals intelligence satellite.References: 4, 552, 554.

• ICO F-2 Nation: USA. Mass: 2,750 kg (6,060 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: ICO. Manufacturer: Boeing Satellite Systems. Perigee: 10,385 km (6,452 mi). Apogee: 10,389 km (6,455 mi). Inclination: 45.00 deg. Period: 360.10 min. COSPAR: 2001-026A. USAF Sat Cat: 26857. Launch delayed from June 5. The ICO-2 satellite was launched by British New ICO (formerly ICO Global Communications) to provide mobile communications and data/Internet services at S-band, supporting 4500 simultaneous calls. The Boeing BSS-601M satellite was similar to the standard geostationary 601 model except that it omitted the R-4D apogee engine and associated fuel, and had a larger payload section. Launch mass was 2700 kg; dry mass was around 2200-2400 kg with the remainder being station-keeping fuel. The AC-156 launch vehicle's Centaur stage reached a 167 x 10099 km x 44.6 deg transfer orbit 10 minutes after launch. A second burn 1.5 hours later put ICO-2 into a circular 10,100 km orbit. The first ICO satellite was launched in March 2000 but failed to reach orbit. ICO-2 was used for testing of the ICO system before the remaining satellites would be launched. Unlike the Iridium and Globalstar constellations, ICO proposed to use a small number of large satellites. The ICO fleet, anticipated to consist of 10 satellites, was to enable relay in S- and C-bands of voice and internet communications from/to land and ocean based mobile telephones. With a total power of 5 kW, ICO F2 was to enable a simultaneous capacity in 4,500 channels.References: 4, 296.

• USA 160 Nation: USA. Payload: MLV-10. Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Class: SIGINT. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-3. Agency: National Reconnaissance Office (U.S.). Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Astronautics?. COSPAR: 2001-040A. USAF Sat Cat: 26905. Launch delayed from July 31. First of a new series of naval electronic intelligence satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The Lockheed Martin Atlas IIAS AC-160 put the vehicle in a transfer orbit. The phrasing of the launch commentary implied that the second burn left the payload in 'transfer orbit', but several observers saw the bright Centaur in the typical final deployment orbit of the earlier NOSS satellites. Therefore it seemed the first burn was to a transfer orbit of around 180 x 1100 km x 63 deg. The second burn at 1629 GMT put the Centaur and payload into an 1100 x 1100 km x 63 deg orbit. The design was apparently quite different from earlier generation NOSS satellites since only one companion satellite was deployed rather than two. Prime contractor for the new satellites was again believed to be Lockheed Martin Astronautics at Denver. The NRL probably continued to have a management and technical role in the program under overall NRO auspices.References: 4, 296, 552, 554.

• USA 160 companion Nation: USA. Payload: MLV-10. Mass: 5,000 kg (11,000 lb). Class: SIGINT. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-3. Agency: National Reconnaissance Office (U.S.). Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Astronautics?. COSPAR: 2001-040C. USAF Sat Cat: 26905. References: 4, 296, 552, 554.

• USA 162 Nation: USA. Payload: Aquila / MLV-12. Mass: 3,600 kg (7,900 lb). Class: Communications. Type: Military. Spacecraft: SDS-3. Agency: U.S. Air Force (U.S.). COSPAR: 2001-046A. USAF Sat Cat: 26948. The Atlas AC-162 Centaur entered a 176 x 907 km x 28.2 deg parking orbit at 0242 GMT and then made a second burn to deploy its payload in a 274 x 37538 km x 26.5 deg geostationary transfer orbit at 0301 GMT. USA 162 was rumoured to be a data relay satellite used to return data from imaging satellites similar to the one launched on October 5 2001. It was also possible that the satellite is a signals intelligence payload. The satellite is owned and operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).References: 4, 296.

• Hispasat 1D Nation: Spain. Program: Hispasat. Mass: 3,250 kg (7,160 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: Spacebus 3000. Agency: Hispasat. Manufacturer: Alcatel, Cannes. Perigee: 35,772 km (22,227 mi). Apogee: 35,802 km (22,246 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2002-044A. USAF Sat Cat: 27528. Launch delayed from May 28, August 14. Hispasat 1D was a Spanish geostationary communications spacecraft. The 3.3-ton, 7.0-kW satellite carried three antennae looking in different directions to provide video, data, and Internet services to Europe, North America, and North Africa via 28 Ku-band transponders after being parked over 30° W longitude alongside Hispasat 1A, 1B, and 1C. As of 2007 Mar 9 located at 29.97W drifting at 0.014W degrees per day.References: 4, 552, 554.

• USA 173 Nation: USA. Payload: NROL-18. Class: SIGINT. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-3. Agency: NRO. Perigee: 1,010 km (620 mi). Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. COSPAR: 2003-054A. USAF Sat Cat: 28095. Second launch of new generation paired satellites used for tracking, characterisation, and intelligence on naval vessels and civilian shipping worldwide.

• USA 173 companion Nation: USA. Payload: NROL-18. Class: SIGINT. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-3. Agency: NRO. Perigee: 1,010 km (620 mi). Apogee: 1,210 km (750 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. COSPAR: 2003-054C. USAF Sat Cat: 28097.

• AMC-10 (GE-10) Nation: USA. Program: Americom. Mass: 2,340 kg (5,150 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 2100. Agency: SES Americom. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Commercial Space. Perigee: 361 km (224 mi). Apogee: 376 km (233 mi). Inclination: 51.60 deg. Period: 91.90 min. COSPAR: 2004-003A. USAF Sat Cat: 28154. Americom 10 (AMC-10) was a replacement satellite for Satcom C3. It was to be located at 135 deg W. The C-band satellite, to be accompanied by AMC-11 later in 2004, were designed to support SES Americom's cable network in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Mexico. The satellite had a design life of 15 years and carried 24 x 36 MHz C-band transponders. As of 2007 Mar 10 located at 134.97W drifting at 0.005E degrees per day.References: 552, 554.

• Superbird 6 Nation: Japan. Class: Communications. Spacecraft: HS 601. Agency: Japanese Communications Corporation. Perigee: 35,775 km (22,229 mi). Apogee: 35,797 km (22,243 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.10 min. COSPAR: 2004-011A. USAF Sat Cat: 28218. The satellite was to provide Ka and Ku band communications for Japan's Space Communications Corporation. References: 4.

• AMC-11 (GE-11) Nation: USA. Program: Americom. Mass: 2,316 kg (5,105 lb). Class: Communications. Spacecraft: AS 2100. Agency: SES Americom. Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin Commercial Space. Perigee: 35,778 km (22,231 mi). Apogee: 35,792 km (22,240 mi). Inclination: 0.00 deg. Period: 1,436.00 min. COSPAR: 2004-017A. USAF Sat Cat: 28252. Delayed from May 17. As of 2007 Mar 11 located at 131.04W drifting at 0.000E degrees per day.

• USA 179 Nation: USA. Payload: Nemesis (NRO L-1). Mass: 3,600 kg (7,900 lb). Class: Surveillance. Type: Military. Spacecraft: SDS-3. Agency: NRO. COSPAR: 2004-034A. USAF Sat Cat: 28384. 63rd and last flight of Atlas IIAS. 576th and final launch of Rocketdyne-powered Atlas rockets. Final launch from LC36A after 42 years of use. Launch delayed from June 24 and 25, July 1 and 27, August 27, 28, 29 and 30. The payload was probably a communications satellite used to relay data from imaging spy satellites.

• 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.

• Isakowitz, Steven J,, International Reference to Space Launch Systems Second Edition, AIAA, Washington DC, 1991 (succeeded by 2000 edition). ISBN: 1563473534. Superseded by the later editions. More at amazon.com...

• Wilson, Andrew, editor,, Jane's/Interavia Space Directory, Jane's Information Group, Coulsdon, Surrey, 1992 et al. ISBN: 0710618107. The most comprehensive source of information for current space projects. Too expensive for human beings and most libraries. More at amazon.com...

• Lockheed Martin Coporation, Atlas Family Fact Sheets, September 1998.. Accessed at: http://www.lmco.com/ILS/txtmain/ils_lsysinfo.htm.

• Walker, Chuck, with Powell, Joel, Atlas - The Ultimate Weapon, Apogee Books, Canada, 2005. ISBN: 1894959183. Another excellent Apogee Book, the only in-depth account of the design, development, and production of the rocket that was America's first ICBM, pioneered US spaceflight, and continued to take payloads into orbit into the next millenium. More at amazon.com...