intelsat iv press kit 060672

8/7/2019 Intelsat IV Press Kit 060672

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS ANDSPACE ADMINISTRATIONWashington. D. C. 20546202-755-8370

FOR RELEASE:UPON RECEIPTP PROJECT: INTELSAT IV

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SPACECRAFT.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4S LAUNCH VEHICLE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5LAUNCH WINDOW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6INTELSAT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7FLIGHT EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8K INDUSTRY TEAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS ANDSPACE ADMINISTRATIONWashington, D. C. 20546Phone: (202) 755-8370

FOR RELEASE:Howard G. Allaway UPON RECEIPT(Phone: 202/755-3680)RELEASE NO: 72-119

NASA TO LAUNCH INTELSAT IV

The fourth in a series of Intelsat IV commercial com-munications satellites will be launched by NASA for theCommunications Satellite Corporation aboard an Atlas-Centaur rocket from Cape Kennedy, Fla., no earlier thanJune 13 . The launch window is 5:53 p.m. to 7:13 p.m. EDTthrough June 19 .

This satellite, which will be positioned on the Equatorover the Indian Ocean, will complete the global system ofIntelsat IVs. The remaining Intelsat III satellites inorbit will be used as backup spacecraft in case of break-downs or an excess of demand for circuits. Additional Intel-sat IVs are scheduled for launch in the future to take care ofthe growth of international telephone, television, and datatrar.s:issions.

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This spacecraft will add 12 television channels to the48 now available between the U.S. and other nations. Com-munications satellites are the only means by which TV canbe transmitted overseas. Intelsat IV (F-5) can carry 5,000to 6,000 two-way telephone conversations under average con-ditions.

The Atlas-Centaur launch vehicle will place the satel-lite in a highly elliptical orbit ranging from approximately563 to 36,800 kilometers (350 to 22,300 statute miles).After checkout and orientation of the spacecraft a solidpropellant rocket motor aboard the spacecraft will be firedto circularize the orbit at synchronous altitude (36,800kilometers or 22,300 statute miles). At this altitudethe speed of the spacecraft in orbit matches the rotationalspeed of the Earth so that it appears to hover over onespot. By the firing of small gas jets aboard the space-craft it can be allowed to drift in orbit and then bepositioned accurately at any desired point on the equator.This particular Intelsat IV is intended for use over theIndian Ocean at 61.4 degrees east longitude.

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The new satellite, like others in the global commer-cial communications system, is owned by the InternationalCommunications Consortium (Intelsat). The CommunicationsSatellite Corporation (Comsat), the United States member,acts as manager on behalf of the other 83 nations in theconsortium. NASA is reimbursed for all costs of Atlas-Centaur and launch services by Intelsat, under provisionsof the Communications Satellite Act of 1962.

The first Intelsat IV satellite was launched Jan. 25,1971, and placed in commercial service March 26 over theAtlantic Ocean at 24.5 degrees west longitude. The secondIntelsat IV was launched Dec. 19, 1971 and the third Jan. 22,1972.

(END OF GENERAL RELEASE; BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOLLOWS)


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- 5 -LAUNCH VEHICLE

Intelsat IV is the 20th operational launch for theAtlas-Centaur. The rocket combination, standing approxi-mately 35 meters (113 feet) high, consists of an AtlasSLV-3C booster and Centaur second stage.The Atlas booster develops 1,793,350 newtons (403,000pounds) of thrust at liftoff using two 760,950-newton(171,000-pound) thrust booster engines and one 267,000-newton(60,000-pound) thrust sustainer engine. Its propellantsare RP-1 (a kerosene type fuel) and liquid oxygen (LOX).The Centaur second stage, which was developed and isflown under the direction of NASA's Lewis Research Center,Cleveland, was the first U.S. rocket to use the high energyliquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen combination. Its two RL-10engines develop 66,750 newtons (15,000 pounds) thrusteach. Flown in combination with an Atlas booster up tothe present time, Centaur is ii ; the process of being inte-grated with the Titan III booster to launch Viking space-craft to Mars in 1975.During 1971 Centaur successfully launched Mariner 9to Mars and two Intelsat IV spacecraft. During 1972 it hassuccessfully launched one Intelsat IV and the Pioneer 10spacecraft to fly by Jupiter. Launch of an Orbiting Astro-nomical Observatory is scheduled for late this summer orearly fall.

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LAUNCH WINDOW

The primary factor determining the launch window forIntelsat spacecraft is the angle of the Sun. It is desirablefor the solar cells on the spacecraft to receive the maxi-mum possible exposure during the transfer orbit. The Sunangle is at its best twice a day at noon and midnight Green-wich Mean Time or 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.-. EST. Becauseof the greater convenience fo r launch crews and trackincoperations, the 7:00 p.m. period is generally chosen.The launch window for AC-29 is 5:53 p.m. - 7:13 p.m. EDTfrom June 13 through June 19.- more -


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INTELSAT TEAM

NASA HeadquartersDr. John E. Naugle Associate Administrator for SpaceScienceVincent L. Johnson Deputy Associate Administrator forOSSJerome Friebaum Program ManagerJoseph B. Mahon Director, Launch Vehicle ProgramsT. B. Norris Mediv ' Launch Vehicles ProgramManagerF. R. Schmidt Atlas-Centaur Program Manager

COMSATDr. Joseph V. Charyk PresidentMartin J. Votaw Asst. Vice President & Directorof Space Segment Implementation

Kennedy Space CenterDr. Kurt H. Debus DirectorJohn J. Neilon Director, Unmanned Launch Opera-tions (ULO)John Gossett Manager, Centaur Operations (ULO)

Lewis Research CenterBruce T. Lundin DirectorEdmund R. Jonash Director, Launch VehiclesW. R. Dunbar Deputy Director, Launch VehiclesDaniel J. Shramo Atlas-Centaur Project ManagerJerry D. Stribling Intelsat Project Engineer

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ProgramFliqht Events Time peed:Inertial Range A1ti .ieFcconds MPH ]KM/HR Statute Kilometers St-ute Ki 1om;i , -;Miles Mil~s151.2 6580.7 10,591 53.4 85.9 3(,10 53.6

jettison 154.3 6653 10,707.5 58.0 93.4 3' .2 61.5uanel

jettison 196.2 7503.8 12,J76.8 125.4 201.9 61.1 98.4241.2 8762.5 14,102.5 211.1 339.8 83.1 133.8

separation 243.2 8757.7 14,094.8 215.4 346.8 84.1 135.4MEIG (1) 252.7 8722.3 14,037.7 235.2 378.6 88.2 141.9

fairing jettison 264.7 8847.7 14,239.6 260.4 419.2 93 149.7MECO (1) 627.3 18,562.7 29,875 1412.8 2,274.3 117.5 189.2MEIG (2) 1519.0 17,614.3 28,348.7 5484 8,828.2 370.3 596.1.MECO 2) 1593.9 22,011.9 35,426.3 5833.4 9,390.6 416.7 670.8

separation 1728.9 21,638.3 34,825 6519.3 10,494.8 549.7 884.9Centaur 1733.9

Blowdown 1898.9Blowdown 2148.9

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-NDUSTRY TEAM

Prime Contractors ResponsibilityHughes Aircraft Company INTELSAT IV SpacecraftSunnyvale, Calif.General Dynamics/Convair Atlas-Centaur LaunchSan Diego, Calif. Vehicle

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intelsat iv press kit 060672

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