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SDS-3
American military communications satellite, provided data relay services for optical reconnaissance and other military spacecraft. Operational, first launch 2000.12.06. Comsat / Relay, early warning satellite built by for USAF, USA. Launched 1998 - 2014.

Status: Operational 2000. First Launch: 1998-01-29. Last Launch: 2014-05-22. Number: 8 . Gross mass: 3,600 kg (7,900 lb).

Replacement for the SDS-2 satellites, which from Molniya-type orbits, provided data relay services for optical reconnaissance and other military spacecraft. The Atlas-IIAS payload capability indicates they had a mass under 3600 kg, compared to 6000 kg for the SDS-2 series. Therefore they surely had a different payload, and may have had a substantially different mission.


More at: SDS-3.

Family: Communications, Military communications sat, Molniya orbit. Country: USA. Launch Vehicles: Atlas, Atlas IIAS, Atlas V, Atlas V 401. Launch Sites: Cape Canaveral, Cape Canaveral LC36A, Cape Canaveral LC36B, Cape Canaveral LC41. Agency: NRO. Bibliography: 2, 279, 296, 552, 554, 6, 6858, 13078.

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