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Constellations
Constellation profile

DSCS

Defense Satellite Communications System spacecraft fleet.

U.S. Space Systems CommandService start: Not stated
Admin Edit
Linked spacecraft
30
Rows currently linked to this constellation.
Active linked
4
Derived from linked spacecraft status.
Future linked
0
Spacecraft rows marked future.
Planned target

Forecasted Satellites

0 forecast rows linked to this constellation.

0 satellitesUnknownForecast table
Forecast entryYearSatellitesOrbitVehicleManufacturerMissionLaunch likelihood

Linked Spacecraft

30 linked spacecraft shown.

SpacecraftStatusOrbitLaunch date
DSCS III A-3activeGEOMar 11, 2003
DSCS III B-11activeGEOOct 20, 2000
DSCS III B-13
Not stated
No active-share calculation available.

No forecast rows

No public forecast rows are currently linked to this constellation.

No forecast rows

No public forecast rows are currently linked to this constellation.

active
GEO
Oct 25, 1997
DSCS III B-6activeGEOAug 29, 2003
DSCS II F-1retiredGEONov 3, 1971
DSCS II F-10retiredsuborbitalMar 25, 1978
DSCS II F-11retiredGEODec 14, 1978
DSCS II F-12retiredGEODec 14, 1978
DSCS II F-13retiredGEONov 21, 1979
DSCS II F-14retiredGEONov 21, 1979
DSCS II F-15retiredGEOSep 4, 1989
DSCS II F-16retiredGEOOct 30, 1982
DSCS II F-2retiredGEONov 3, 1971
DSCS II F-3retiredGEODec 13, 1973
DSCS II F-4retiredGEODec 13, 1973
DSCS II F-5retiredLEOMay 20, 1975
DSCS II F-6retiredLEOMay 20, 1975
DSCS II F-7retiredGEOMay 12, 1977
DSCS II F-8retiredGEOMay 12, 1977
DSCS II F-9retiredsuborbitalMar 25, 1978
DSCS III A-1retiredGEOOct 30, 1982
DSCS III A-2retiredGEOSep 4, 1989
DSCS III B-10retiredGEONov 28, 1993
DSCS III B-12retiredGEOJul 2, 1992
DSCS III B-14retiredGEOFeb 11, 1992
DSCS III B-4retiredGEOOct 3, 1985
DSCS III B-5retiredGEOOct 3, 1985
DSCS III B-7retiredGEOJul 31, 1995
DSCS III B-8retiredGEOJan 21, 2000
DSCS III B-9retiredGEOJul 19, 1993
DSCS III A-3
GEO · Mar 11, 2003
active
DSCS III B-11
GEO · Oct 20, 2000
active
DSCS III B-13
GEO · Oct 25, 1997
active
DSCS III B-6
GEO · Aug 29, 2003
active
DSCS II F-1
GEO · Nov 3, 1971
retired
DSCS II F-10
suborbital · Mar 25, 1978
retired
DSCS II F-11
GEO · Dec 14, 1978
retired
DSCS II F-12
GEO · Dec 14, 1978
retired
DSCS II F-13
GEO · Nov 21, 1979
retired
DSCS II F-14
GEO · Nov 21, 1979
retired
DSCS II F-15
GEO · Sep 4, 1989
retired
DSCS II F-16
GEO · Oct 30, 1982
retired
DSCS II F-2
GEO · Nov 3, 1971
retired
DSCS II F-3
GEO · Dec 13, 1973
retired
DSCS II F-4
GEO · Dec 13, 1973
retired
DSCS II F-5
LEO · May 20, 1975
retired
DSCS II F-6
LEO · May 20, 1975
retired
DSCS II F-7
GEO · May 12, 1977
retired
DSCS II F-8
GEO · May 12, 1977
retired
DSCS II F-9
suborbital · Mar 25, 1978
retired
DSCS III A-1
GEO · Oct 30, 1982
retired
DSCS III A-2
GEO · Sep 4, 1989
retired
DSCS III B-10
GEO · Nov 28, 1993
retired
DSCS III B-12
GEO · Jul 2, 1992
retired
DSCS III B-14
GEO · Feb 11, 1992
retired
DSCS III B-4
GEO · Oct 3, 1985
retired
DSCS III B-5
GEO · Oct 3, 1985
retired
DSCS III B-7
GEO · Jul 31, 1995
retired
DSCS III B-8
GEO · Jan 21, 2000
retired
DSCS III B-9
GEO · Jul 19, 1993
retired
Track
Mentions
6
All verified mentions of this constellation in source documents.

In 1971 the Air Force launched the first Defense Satellite Communications System II (DSCS II) satellite, a larger spin-stabilized satellite placed in geosynchronous orbit.

GeneralCapabilityPlanValue 4.0Feb 16, 2026When second best is good enough: The Initial Defense Satellite Communications System

The Air Force focused on the Initial Defense Communication Satellite Program (IDCSP), later renamed the Initial Defense Satellite Communications System (IDSCS).

GeneralValue 3.2Feb 16, 2026When second best is good enough: The Initial Defense Satellite Communications System

The system was declared operational and renamed the Initial Defense Satellite Communications System (IDSCS) before the final launch of eight satellites.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Feb 16, 2026When second best is good enough: The Initial Defense Satellite Communications System

Airbus is partnering with Blacktree Technology in Team Maier as part of its bid to address Australia’s Joint Project JP 9102 to provide a Sovereign Defense Satellite Communications System.

RelationshipsPlanGeneralValue 4.0Feb 28, 2023Airbus selects Blacktree Technology to provide ground segment for UHF military satcom services across Australasia

Space Delta 8 has 635 personnel and operates 66 satellites, including 37 GPS, six Advanced EHF communications, five Milstar, two Enhanced Polar System hosted payloads, 10 Wideband Global Satcom (WGS), and six Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) satellites.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.3Jun 23, 2021Army, Navy satellite operations to consolidate under Space Force

Peraton helps ensure the safe operation of the Space Based Space Surveillance, Operationally Responsive Space-5, Advanced Extremely High Frequency, Milstar, Wideband Global SATCOM, and Defense Satellite Communications System satellites.

CapabilityValue 3.6Oct 27, 2020Peraton Obtains USSF Orbital Analysis Award