ESSA-3


ESSA-3 was a spin-stabilized operational meteorological satellite. Its name was derived from that of its oversight agency, the Environmental Science Services Administration.

Launch

ESSA-3 was launched on October 2, 1966 at 10:34 UTC. It was launched atop a Delta rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The spacecraft had a mass of at the time of launch. ESSA-3 had an inclination of 100.9°, and an orbited the earth once every 114 minutes. Its perigee was and its apogee was.