MISSION NAME
IDCSP 20 to 27 27
Status
Success
DATE
13 JUN 1968
LAUNCH PROVIDER
United States Air Force
Launch Pad
Space Launch Complex 41
Description
The IDCSP (Initial Defense Communications satellite Program) provided the Pentagon with its first near-geosynchronous communications system and replaced the cancelled ADVENT project.
Titan IIIC
Rocket Description
The Titan IIIC was an expendable launch system used by the United States Air Force from 1965 until 1982. It was the first Titan booster to feature large solid rocket motors and was planned to be used as a launcher for the Dyna-Soar, though the spaceplane was cancelled before it could fly. The majority of the launcher's payloads were DoD satellites, for military communications and early warning, though one flight (ATS-6) was performed by NASA. The Titan IIIC was launched exclusively from Cape Canaveral while its sibling, the Titan IIID, was launched only from Vandenberg AFB.