Syncom IV/Leasat

Author(s): DaveBowman2001

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The Leased Satellite (Leasat) program, also known as Syncom-IV, were the first satellites designed to be specifically launched by a Space Shuttle. Weighing 3.4 tons and measuring 6.17 m when fully deployed, these satellites provided communications for the US military and its allies during the later years of the Cold War. Designated internally as HS-381 satellites, a total of four were built (with an additional spare) by Hughes Communications, each one launching from 1984 to 1990. All satellites were decommissioned into their respective graveyard orbits since 2015

NOTES:

  • Requires the Space Shuttle addon installed for this addon to work
  • Shuttle missions STS-41-D, STS-51-A, STS-51-D, STS-51-I, and STS-32 will be modified by this addon upon installation

Syncom-IV/Leasat
(1984-2015)
Mission Start End
Leasat 2 (Syncom IV-2) 1984-Aug-301996
Launched from STS-41-D (Discovery)
Leasat 1 (Syncom IV-1) 1984-Nov-081994
Launched from STS-51-A (Discovery)
Leasat 3 (Syncom IV-3) 1985-Apr-121996
Launched from STS-51-D (Discovery), stranded in LEO before being repaired by the crew of STS-51-I (Discovery)
Leasat 4 (Syncom IV-4) 1985-Aug-271985-Sept
Launched from STS-51-I (Discovery), failed shortly afterwards
Leasat 5 (Syncom IV-5) 1990-Jan-092015-Sept-24
Launched from STS-32 (Columbia)

Bill Fisher repairing the crippled Leasat 3 satellite during STS-51-I (Discovery), 1985-Sept-1

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