General Electric ES-5 DSCS III
The Defence Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III third generation military communications satellites, were built by GE Astrospace and later by Martin Marietta. Also known as ES-5A, they had a mass of 1232 kg. The first sub-generation, known as A type of which three were built, were fitted with six transponders operating in the 240/320 MHz band. The remaining satellites were of the B type and also operated in the 7/8 GHz band.
The operational system consisted of five primary satellites operating from a geostationary orbit, and five reserve satellites. The exact geostationary locations of the satellites are classified. In 1995 the satellites remaining in storage then were upgraded to extend their lives to 10 years by installing improved thrusters, solar cells and transponders.
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| Image: Author's collection |
| ES-5A DSCS III-10 (1997-065A) |
| Name | Intl. Designation | Launch | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DSCS III-1 | 1982-106B | 30-Oct-1982 | Also known as DSCS III A1 |
| DSCS III-2 | 1985-092B | 3-Oct-1985 | Also known as USA 11 and DSCS III B4 |
| DSCS III-3 | 1985-092C | 3-Oct-1985 | Also known as USA 12 and DSCS III B5 |
| DSCS III-4 | 1989-069B | 4-Sep-1989 | Also known as USA 44 and DSCS III A2 |
| DSCS III-5 | 1992-006A | 11-Feb-1992 | Also known as USA 78 and DSCS III B14 |
| DSCS III-6 | 1992-037A | 2-Jul-1992 | Also known as USA 82 and DSCS III B12 |
| DSCS III-7 | 1993-046A | 19-Jul-1993 | Also known as USA 93 and DSCS III B9 |
| DSCS III-8 | 1993-074A | 28-Nov-1993 | Also known as USA 97 and DSCS III B10 |
| DSCS III-9 | 1995-038A | 31-Jul-1995 | Also known as USA 113 and DSCS III B7 |
| DSCS III-10 | 1997-065A | 25-Oct-1997 | Also known as USA 135 and DSCS III B13 |
| DSCS III-11 | 2000-001A | 21-Jan-2000 | Also known as USA 148 and DSCS III B8 |
| DSCS III-12 | 2000-065A | 20-Oct-2000 | Also known as USA 153 and DSCS III B11 |
| DSCS III-13 | 2003-008A | 11-Mar-2003 | Also known as USA 167 and DSCS III A3 |
| DSCS III-14 | 2003-040A | 29-Aug-2003 | Also known as USA 170 and DSCS III B6 |
Launch dates of the DSCS III series
Background History
Refer ES-4A, TRW DSCS II.
Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 3
Last Updated: 1 January 2004