Defence Satellites, Card No 29 (RaceIntoSpace 1971)
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Card No. 29: Defence Satellites
The need for a system to provide strategic or tactical communication to her armed forces throughout the world gave rise to the American project known as IDCSP, the Interim Defence Communication Satellite Network.
A network of 26 satellites was established between 1967 and 1968, and this has provided a temporary capability, pending the introduction of a fully operational system. It has also provided a basis for research and development.
The 100 pound satellites were launched into near-synchronous orbits, up to eight at a time, by Titan 3 rockets.
At least one satellite is always in view of any given ground station. Future military comsats will be of the geo-stationary type, where the main advantage is the need for fewer satellites.
