description Syncom 3 Overview
Syncom 3, launched by NASA in 1964, was the world's first geostationary satellite, positioned over the Pacific Ocean and notable for transmitting live television coverage of the Tokyo Olympics to the United States.
insights Ranking position
Syncom 3 ranks #3 of 187 in the Satellite ranking, behind CORONA (KH-4), ahead of TRMM.
help Syncom 3 FAQ
When was Syncom 3 launched, and by what agency?
Syncom 3 was launched by NASA on August 19, 1964, from Cape Canaveral. It was placed into a geostationary orbit directly over the Pacific Ocean, marking a major milestone in telecommunications history.
What major historical event was Syncom 3 used to broadcast?
Syncom 3 was famously used to transmit live television coverage of the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics to the United States. This event marked the first time a global audience could watch an Olympics live, demonstrating the incredible power of satellite television.
What made Syncom 3 different from earlier communications satellites?
Syncom 3 was the world's first geostationary satellite, meaning it orbited the Earth at the equator at the exact speed of the Earth's rotation. This allowed it to remain fixed in the sky relative to a point on the ground, unlike earlier satellites that drifted across the sky.
What orbital altitude was required to achieve Syncom 3's geostationary orbit?
To maintain its geostationary orbit, Syncom 3 was placed at an altitude of approximately 22,236 miles (35,786 kilometers) above the Earth. This specific altitude is known as the Clarke Belt, named after sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke who first proposed it for communications relays.
explore Explore More
Similar to Syncom 3
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
