NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

STS-51-J, (USA-11) & (USA-12)

Launch Time
Thu Oct 03, 1985 15:15 UTC

Second classified DoD mission and the first flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Rocket

Space Shuttle Atlantis
NASA
Status: Retired
Price: $450.0 million
Liftoff Thrust: 30,250 kN
Payload to LEO: 27,500 kg
Payload to GTO: 3,810 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 2
Rocket Height: 56.1 m

Vehicles

Edwards Runway 23

OV-104

Flight #1

Mission Details

STS-51-J

The mission was the second shuttle flight totally dedicated to deploying a Department of Defense payload, after STS-51-C. Its cargo was classified, but it was reported that two (USA-11 and USA-12) DSCS-III (Defense Satellite Communications System) satellites were launched into stationary orbits by an Inertial Upper Stage. The DSCS satellites used X-band frequencies (8/7 GHz). Each DSCS-III satellite had a design life of ten years, although several of the DSCS satellites have far exceeded their design life expectancy.

Total Mass: 19,968.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

DSCS-3 2 (USA-11) & DSCS-3 3 (USA-12)

DSCS-3 (Defense Satellite Communications System 3) are geostationary communications satellites, which provide a robust anti-jam, nuclear hardened capability that supports Department of Defense (DoD) worldwide requirements, White House and Diplomatic communications. They are the follow-on generation of the DSCS-2 satellites.

The system is used for high priority communications such as the exchange of wartime information between defense officials and battlefield commanders. The system provides uninterrupted secure voice and high-data rate communications to globally fixed and mobile DoD users, NATO, the United Kingdom, the Diplomatic Telecommunications Service, and the White House Communications Agency.

Orion 1 (USA 8) was launched on Shuttle flight Atlantis STS-51-J with IUS upper stage.

Payloads: 2
Geostationary Earth Orbit

Location

LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA

Stats

1985

95th orbital launch attempt

Space Shuttle

21st mission
7th mission of 1985
21st successful mission