Jim Cast
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.                        May 3, 1990
(Phone:  202/453-8536)

Jean Drummond Clough
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
(Phone:  804/864-6122)

Jan Bodanyi
Department of Defense, Washington, D.C.
(Phone:  202/695-0192)


RELEASE:  90-64

TWO COMMUNICATIONS SATELLLITES TO BE LAUNCHED IN MAY


     Two Mulitiple Access Communications Satellites (MACSATs) are 
scheduled to be launched by NASA aboard a Navy-owned Scout rocket 
on May 9 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.  The 90-minute 
launch window opens at 1:49 p.m., EDT.  The program is sponsored 
by the Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency 
(DARPA).

     The MACSATs, developed by Defense Systens Inc., will provide 
a global store-and-forward message relay capability at UHF 
frequencies for a variety of Department of Defense users during 
test demonstrations to be conducted this year by DARPA.

     The Scout program is managed by NASA's Langley Research 
Center, Hampton, Va.  The 73-feet-long, four stage, 
solid-propellant rocket motor launch vehicle is built by the 
Missiles Division of LTV Missiles and Electronics Group, Dallas, 
Texas.  First launched in 1960, Scout has had 98 successful 
missions in 112 attempts, including 56 successes in 57 launches 
since 1967. 

                            - end -

NOTE TO EDITORS:  The Scout/MACSAT launch will be carried live on 
NASA Select television via Satcom F-2R, Transponder 13, C-Band 
located at 72 degrees west longitude, frequency 3960.0 MHz, 
vertical polorization, audio monaural 6.8 MHz.  Media 
representatives may view the launch in the NASA Headquarters 
auditorium, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., 6th floor, room 6104.



TO:  MDS/PRA Group
     1615 L Street, N.W. - Suite 100
     Washington, D.C. 20036

DATE & TIME:  May 03, 1990  4:00pm

ORDERED BY:  Edward Campion
NASA Headquarters/LMD
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20546             PHONE:  202/453-8400

PROJECT TITLE:  Release No:  90-64

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