NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

NATO 4A

Launch Time
Tue Jan 08, 1991 00:53 UTC

Rocket

Delta II 7925
Image Credit: ULA
Boeing
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 3,511 kN
Payload to GTO: 1,819 kg
Stages: 3
Strap-ons: 9
Rocket Height: 38.1 m
Fairing Diameter: 2.9 m
Fairing Height: 8.49 m

Mission Details

NATO 4A

NATO-4 is a communications satellite system serving the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the British Ministry of Defense.

NATO 4A was the first of two new-generation comsats offering secure military and diplomatic voice and data communications to NATO member nations and troops in the field. The satellites offered spot beam and global coverage to reach a wide range of ground stations and ships at sea. The communications package housed four SHF and two UHF channels. The payload was provided by Marconi Space Systems; the satellites were built by British Aerospace. Based on the Skynet 4 design, it was box-shaped, measuring 2.1 m high by 1.9 m long by 1.4 m wide. Solar arrays spanned 16 m and provided 1,200 W at end of life. The satellite had a 7-year design life.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 1,434.0 kg
Geostationary Transfer Orbit

Location

SLC-17B, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Stats

1991

1st orbital launch attempt

Delta II

16th mission
1st mission of 1991
16th successful mission