ATS-6
Applications Technology Satellite-6
Part of the ATS (Applications Technology Satellites) program

In addition to its technology experiments, ATS-6 became the world's first educational satellite. During its 5 year life, ATS-6 transmitted educational programming to India, the US and other countries. The vehicle also conducted air traffic control tests, was used to practice satellite-assisted search and rescue techniques, carried an experimental radiometer subsequently carried as a standard instrument aboard weather satellites, and pioneered direct broadcast TV. The satellite also played a major role in the Apollo/Soyuz docking in 1975 when it relayed signals to the Houston Control center. It was boosted above GEO when thruster failures threatened to prevent further control of the spacecraft.

Spacecraft
9 m diameter deployed antenna reflector. Pointing accuracy 0.1 deg. 2 half cylinder drum arrays on booms provide 645 W BOL. 3 axis stabilized.

Payload
VHRR (Very High Resolution Radiometer) instrument, millimeter wave propagation experiment, L-band communications package, C-band communication equipment

Country of Origin	United States
Customer/User	NASA, NSF
Manufacturer(s)	Fairchild
Size	8.5 m high with solar paddles on booms spanning 16 m
Orbit	GEO (over Pacific), incl. = 1.6 deg.
Design Life	2 years

Launch Facts

Name	Int'l Desig.	Date	Site	Vehicle	Orbit	Mass(kg)
Notes
ATS 6	1974-039A	5/30/74	ESMC	Titan 3C	GEO	930
Application Technology Satellite; experimental commsat