 |

ATS (Applications Technology Satellites)
The Applications Technology Satellite series was a set of 6 NASA spacecraft created to explore & flight test new technologies and techniques for communications, meteorological and navigation satellites. Some of the areas investigated during the program included spin stabilization, gravity gradient stabilization, complex synchronous orbit maneuvers, and a number of communications experiments. The ATS flights also investigated the geostationary orbit environment. And, although the ATS satellites were mainly intended as testbeds, they also collected and transmitted meteorological data and functioned at times as communications satellites. Design studies for the advanced SYNCOM satellites provided much of the basis for the ATS program. The first 5 satellites in the series shared many common design features, and were built by Hughes. The 6th satellite was a new design, and was built by Fairchild. A 7th ATS satellite was cancelled due to budgetary reasons.
Related QuickLook Pages:
Launch Facts
 |
 |
Name | Int'l Desig. | Date | Site | Vehicle | Orbit | Mass(kg) |
Notes |
 |
 |
ATS 1 | 1966-110A | 12/7/66 | ESMC | Atlas Agena D | GEO | 352 |
Applications Technology Satellite; communications and meteorological experiments |
 |
ATS 2 | 1967-031A | 4/6/67 | ESMC | Atlas Agena D | MEO | 370 |
Launch vehicle failure left in useless orbit; communications tests |
 |
ATS 3 | 1967-111A | 11/5/67 | ESMC | Atlas Agena D | GEO | 365 |
Communications tests |
 |
ATS 4 | 1968-068A | 8/10/68 | ESMC | Atlas Centaur | LEO | 391 |
Applications Technology Satellite; 2nd stage failure left in useless LEO orbit |
 |
ATS 5 | 1969-069A | 8/12/69 | ESMC | Atlas Centaur | GEO | 821 |
Applications Technology Satellite; communications tests; 108 deg W |
 |
ATS 6 | 1974-039A | 5/30/74 | ESMC | Titan 3C | GEO | 930 |
Application Technology Satellite; experimental commsat |
 |
Information in The Mission and Spacecraft Library is provided without
warranty or guarantee. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
|
 |