Launch Partial Failure
Liftoff Time (GMT)
08:16:00
Thursday August 6, 1981
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The fairing collapsed during ascent, damaging the spacecraft.
The FLTSATCOM (Fleet Satellite Communications) communications satellite system served as a world-wide UHF communications link among USN aircraft, ships, submarines, and ground stations. This high-capacity spaceborne communications system gave the Navy both shore-to-fleet and single-way communication among ships, aircraft, and submarines separated by distances exceeding line-of-sight UHF ranges.
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
1 Payload
1,842 kilograms
57th
Mission
3rd
Mission of 1981
75th
Orbital launch attempt