Intelsat II F-1 (Blue Bird), the first Intelsat II commercial communications satellite, launched by Thor Delta E1 from Cape Canaveral LC-17B on 26 October 1966. The launch succeeded, but its SVM-1 apogee motor failed after about four seconds, leaving it short of geostationary orbit.
- Outcome
- Success
- Orbit
- GSO
- Geosynchronous orbit
- Payload to orbit
- 162 kg
- Flight
- 3rd
- of 17 Thor Delta E1 flights
- Date and time
- 26 October 1966, 23:05 UTC
- Rocket
- Thor Delta E1
- Builder
- McDonnell Douglas
- Launch site
- Space Launch Complex 17B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
- Payload
- Communications
- International designator
- 1966-096
- Launches in 1966
- 106th of 131
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