Intelsat I

The first commercial communications satellite. Intelsat I was launched on April 6, 1965 aboard a Thor Delta D from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy. Latest status in GCAT: renamed (Jul 18, 2001).

COSPAR 1965-028ANORAD 1317INTELSAT (intergovernmental)

Identity

Name in GCAT: Early Bird
Common name: Intelsat I
Payload designation: INTELSAT I
International designator: 1965-028A
NORAD catalog number: 1317
GCAT identifier: S01317
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.104

Mission

Mission type: Communications
Use: Civil government
Program: Int1
Owner: INTELSAT
Country: INTELSAT (intergovernmental)
Builder: Hughes Space and Comms. Co (Hughes Satellite Systems)
Platform (bus): HS-303A

Launch

Date: April 6, 1965 · 23:47 UTC
Launch record: 1965-028Success
Rocket: Thor Delta D
Spaceport: Cape Canaveral & Kennedy · pad LC17A

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): GEO/D
Perigee: 35,785 km
Apogee: 35,808 km
Inclination: 1.39°
Status: Renamed
Status date: July 18, 2001
Last known active: April 1971
End of operations: April 1971

Size

Mass: 35 kg
Dry mass: 30 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 68 kg
Length: 0.6 m
Diameter: 0.70 m
Span: 0.7 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q1250614 (CC0).