United States Air ForceThor Delta DSpace Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Early Bird
Launched
April 6, 1965
Image: NASA
Summary
Early Bird launched on an United States Air Force Thor Delta D from Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on April 6, 1965. It was United States Air Force's 251st launch, 20th this year and humanity's 425th orbital launch attempt. It was the 2nd Thor Delta D flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO). 2 objects from this launch are catalogued, one of them a payload.
- Watch
- No webcast on record.
- Vehicle
- Thor Delta D · United States Air Force
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Communications · Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO)
- Milestone
- 2nd Thor Delta D flight · 1st this yearUnited States Air Force's 251st launch20th this yearhumanity's 425th orbital launch attempt32nd orbital launch attempt this year
Flight preview
Catalogued objects
2 catalogued: 1 payload, 1 rocket stage; 1 still in orbit
- Early Bird · NORAD 1317
Delta 30 Stage 3 · in orbit
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
Early Bird, also known as Intelsat I, the world's first commercial communications satellite, was built for the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT) by the Space and Communications Group of Hughes Aircraft Company, later Hughes Space and Communications Company.
Pad
Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
28th launch from Space Launch Complex 17A, 2nd this year · 137th from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
145 launches from this pad · 1,131 from Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
74 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did Early Bird launch?
Early Bird launched on April 6, 1965. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch Early Bird?
No webcast is on record for this launch.
What rocket launched Early Bird?
Thor Delta D, flown by United States Air Force. Thor Delta D spec sheet
Where did Early Bird launch from?
Space Launch Complex 17A, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit was Early Bird going to?
Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO), a communications mission.
How many satellites did Early Bird launch?
1 payload from this launch is catalogued (Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org).