2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
sci-techmaven
Launch logAdvertise
  1. Home
  2. Spacecraft
  3. OSCAR 3
// communications · 1965

OSCAR 3

Amateur radio satellite. OSCAR 3 was launched on March 9, 1965 aboard a Thor SLV-2 Agena D from Vandenberg. Latest status in GCAT: in orbit.

COSPAR 1965-016FNORAD 1293United States

Identity

Name in GCAT
OSCAR 3
International designator
1965-016F
NORAD catalog number
1293
GCAT identifier
S01293
UN registration
A/AC.105/INF.101

Mission

Mission type
Communications
Use
Amateur / academic
Program
OSCAR
Owner
OSCAR
Country
United States
Builder
Project OSCAR Inc.
Platform (bus)
OSCAR

Launch

Date
March 9, 1965 · 18:29 UTC
Launch record
1965-016Success
Spaceport
Vandenberg · pad 75-1-2

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
LEO/I
Perigee
904 km
Apogee
941 km
Inclination
70.08°
Status
In orbit
Last known active
June 1965
End of operations
June 1965

Size

Mass
15 kg
Dry mass
15 kg
Length
0.2 m
Diameter
0.40 m
Span
1.4 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q2790526 (CC0).