Educational Satellites: The ATS-6 Experiments

Abstract

On May 30, 1974, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration launched ATS-6, which NASA referred to as the most complex, versatile and powerful communications satellite developed to-date (Figure 1). Launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, the satellite assumed a geosynchronous orbit some 22,300 miles above the equator in order to match the Earth's 24-hour rotational period and remain over a fixed position on the globe. From its position at 94° west longitude, the same longitude as Des Moines, Iowa, ATS-6 is being used for a year-long series of education and health experiments. This paper describes the education activities, which are supported by the National Institute of Education (NIE).