April 6, 1965 11:47 pm
Early Bird
|
Thor Delta D
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds
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Last Updated:
2026-07-13 20:36:13
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.
Launch Overview
Window Open
23:47 UTC
Window Close
23:47 UTC
Lift Off
Apr 6, 1965 · 23:47 UTC
Launch Facility
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Launch Pad
Space Launch Complex 17A
Target Orbit
Geosynchronous Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer
United States Air Force
Payload
Early Bird
Rocket
Thor Delta D
Destination
Geosynchronous Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location
See Mission Notes
Landing Type
RTLS / Droneship
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.
Height
LEO Payload
Total Launches
Status
United States Air Force
Space Launch Complex 17A
Launch Overview
Window Open
23:47 UTC
Window Close
23:47 UTC
Lift Off
Apr 6, 1965 · 23:47 UTC
Launch Facility
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
Launch Pad
Space Launch Complex 17A
Target Orbit
Geosynchronous Orbit
Payload Overview
Customer
United States Air Force
Payload
Early Bird
Rocket
Thor Delta D
Destination
Geosynchronous Orbit
Recovery Overview
Landing Location
See Mission Notes
Landing Type
RTLS / Droneship
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