 OSCAR III
(OSCAR 3)
Spacecraft Summary
| OSCAR Designation: |
OSCAR III |
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Oscar Number: |
OSCAR III |
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| International Designator: |
1965-016F |
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Norad Number: |
1293 |
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| Common Name: |
OSCAR 3 |
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Satellite Type: |
Microsatellite |
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| Launch Date: |
9 March, 1965 |
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Launch Location: |
Vandenberg, AFB |
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| Launch Vehicle: |
Thor Agena D |
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Apogee: |
892.00 |
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| Perigee: |
865.00 |
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Inclination: |
70.07 |
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| Period: |
102.53 |
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Weight: |
16.300 Kg |
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| Organization: | Project OSCAR |
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Frequency Information
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| Mode V/V Linear Transponder (Non-Inverting): Non-Operational |
| Uplink: |
145.9750 - 146.0250 MHz SSB/CW |
| Downlink |
144.3250 - 144.3750 MHz SSB/CW |
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Current Keplerian Elements
OSCAR III
1 01293U 65016F 10248.11906308 .00000138 00000-0 11895-3 0 8871
2 01293 70.0753 289.7619 0020348 293.4713 66.4244 14.04805818322290
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Detailed Description
OSCAR III was launched March 9, 1965 by a Thor Agena D launcher from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Lompoc, California. OSCAR III was launched piggyback with seven United States Air Force satellites. Orbit 924 x 891 km. Inclination 70.1 degrees. Period 102.7 minutes. Weight 16.3 kg.
Firsts: The first amateur satellite to operate from solar power and relay signals from Earth.
OSCAR III was the first true amateur satellite relaying voice contacts in the VHF 2 meter band through a 1 W 50 kHz wide linear transponder (146 MHz uplink and 144 MHz downlink). OSCAR III's transponder lasted 18 days. More than 1000 amateurs in 22 countries communicated through the linear transponder. The two beacon transmitters continued operating for several months.
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Reference Documents:
- William Orr, "The OSCAR III V.H.F. Translator Satellite," QST, Feb 1963, pp 42-44.
- Arthur Walters, "OSCAR III -- Technical Description," QST, Jun 1964, pp 16-18.
- Arthur Walters, "Making Use of the OSCAR III Telemetry Signals," QST, Mar 1965, pp 16-18.
- William Orr, "OSCAR III Orbits the Earth!," QST, May 1965, pp 56-59.
- H.C. Gabrielson, "OSCAR III Report -- Communications Results," QST, Dec 1965, pp 84-89.
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