ATS-3, Card No 26 (RaceIntoSpace 1971)
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Card No. 26: ATS-3
Third in the series of American applications technology satellites, ATS-3 was launched by an Atlas-Agena rocket from Cape Kennedy on Nov. 5, 1967 into a stationary orbit 22,300 miles over the Atlantic, off the coast of Brazil.
The 805 pound satellite, with a diameter of 57.6 inches and a length of 60 inches was designed to investigate ways of using satellites for weather forecasting and communications.
It was noteworthy for returning a large number of excellent colour pictures of the Earth, and for its participation in televising the Pope's visit to Bogota, and the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968; also the first Moon landing in 1969.
ATS-3 was the only NASA comsat which could handle high quality colour television from the 16 foot diameter mobile ground stations.
