Syncom 2, the first geosynchronous communications satellite (Hughes HS-301), placed over the Atlantic near 55°W in a 33°-inclined 24-hour orbit. Thor-Delta B from Cape Canaveral LC-17A lofted it on 26 July 1963; it demonstrated voice, teletype, and TV relay and began regular service on 16 August.
- Outcome
- Success
- Orbit
- GSO
- Geosynchronous orbit
- Payload to orbit
- 66 kg
- Flight
- 6th
- of 9 Thor Delta B flights
- Date and time
- 26 July 1963, 14:33 UTC
- Rocket
- Thor Delta B
- Builder
- McDonnell Douglas
- Launch site
- Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
- Payload
- Communications
- International designator
- 1963-031
- Launches in 1963
- 40th of 69
See it in orbit
Space Atlas shows the satellites and rocket stages from this launch in 3D.
Object pages on Space Atlas: Syncom 2
View satellites in Space Atlas