 Set of IDCSP satellites in truss of Titan IIIC Transtage | |
| Manufacturer | TRW |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Operator | Defense Communications Agency |
| Applications | Satellite Communications |
| Specifications | |
| Spacecraft type | Small satellite |
| Launch mass | 45 kilograms (99 lb) |
| Equipment |
|
| Regime | Subsynchronous |
| Design life | 6 years |
| Production | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launched | 35 (8 launch failures, 27 in orbit) |
| Maiden launch | 16 June 1966 |
| Last launch | 13 June 1968 |
The Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program or IDCSP was the first United States Department of Defense communications satellite constellation and the first stage of the Defense Communications Satellite Program (DCSP). Launched in five groups by Titan IIIC launch vehicles to near equatorial, subsynchronous orbits between 1966 and 1968, they were intended to be experimental testbeds. They were so successful that, by the time of the launch of the last set of eight satellites, the IDCSP was deemed operational and renamed Initial Defense Satellite Communications System or IDSCS. This system allowed real-time collection of battlefield intelligence during the Vietnam War. A total of 35 IDCSP satellites were launched, 27 successfully.