GOES 3

GOES-C was launched using a Delta 2914 carrier rocket flying from Launch Complex 17B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.[2] The launch occurred at 10:49 GMT on 16 June 1978, just two minutes short of a year after the previous satellite, GOES-2.[6]

GOES-C on a Delta 2914 before launch

The launch successfully placed GOES-C into a geostationary transfer orbit, from which it raised itself to geostationary orbit using an onboard SVM-5 apogee motor. Its insertion into geosynchronous orbit occurred at 03:22 on 17 June.[1]

GOES-C underwent on-orbit testing, and was subsequently redesignated GOES-3. It replaced GOES 1 in service, and was initially operated at 135° West. In 1981, it was moved to 90° West, arriving in 1982, before departing again in 1984. In 1985 it arrived back at 135° West. In 1987 it was moved to 129° West, where it operated until it became unusable for meteorological studies in 1989.

After ceasing operations as a weather satellite, GOES-3 was reassigned for use as a communications satellite. In 1990, it was relocated to 175° West, and in 1995 it was moved again, and was stationed between 102° and 110° West since 1996. Organisations which used GOES-3 for communications included Peacesat, who used it to provide communications services to islands in the Pacific Ocean;[9] the University of Hawaii who used it to broadcast educational programmes;[5] the US National Science Foundation, who used it for communications with the Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station;[10] and the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science.[11]

• 1978 in spaceflight
• TDRS-1