NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 1989-069A
Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS III-06) was part of a US military satellite constellation placed in geosynchronous orbit to provide high-volume, secure voice and data communications. Phase II was a successor to the IDSCS (Initial Defense Satellite Communications System) program which began in 1966 with the launch of the first 8 satellites of this constellation. The DSCS III system was used for high priority communications such as the exchange of wartime information between defense officials and battlefield commanders. The military also used DSCS to transmit space operations and early warning data to various systems and users.
Each satellite orbits the earth at an altitude of more than 23,000 miles. They carried a single channel transponder used for disseminating emergency action and force direction messages to nuclear capable forces. Each satellite utilized six super high frequency transponder channels capable of providing worldwide secure voice and high rate data communications.
Launch Date: 1989-09-04
Launch Vehicle: Titan III
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral, United States
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office