LOCKHEED MARTIN

Atlas IIAS | Superbird 3

SUCCESS Atlas IIAS →
Jul 28, 1997 at 01:15 UTC
Geostationary Orbit Communications Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA 100% success
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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADLaunch Complex 36B
SITECape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA →
ORBITGeostationary Orbit
TYPECommunications

Japanese communications satellite

VEHICLE
Atlas IIAS
MISSION
Superbird 3
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Geostationary Orbit
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: fad589a7-f523-424c-8f0d-cb3e2dbd7ef1
Reported date: Jul 28, 1997 at 01:15 UTC
Last synced: 2 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
Lockheed Martin
VARIANT
IIAS
FLIGHTS
30
SUCCESSES
30
SUCCESS RATE
100%

Atlas II was a member of the Atlas family of launch vehicles, which evolved from the successful Atlas missile program of the 1950s. It was designed to launch payloads into low earth orbit, geosynchronous transfer orbit or geosynchronous orbit. Sixty-three launches of the Atlas II, IIA and IIAS models were carried out between 1991 and 2004; all sixty-three launches were successes, making the Atlas II the most reliable launch system in history.

When is the Atlas IIAS | Superbird 3 launch?
The Atlas IIAS | Superbird 3 is scheduled for Monday, July 28, 1997 at 1:15 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for Superbird 3?
The Atlas IIAS | Superbird 3 mission uses the Atlas IIAS rocket, manufactured by Lockheed Martin. The Atlas IIAS has flown 30 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Atlas IIAS | Superbird 3 launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 36B at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit is Superbird 3 going to?
The Superbird 3 mission is targeting Geostationary Orbit.
Who is launching Superbird 3?
The Atlas IIAS | Superbird 3 is operated by Lockheed Martin.
Can I watch the Atlas IIAS | Superbird 3 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch date set: Jul 28, 1997 at 01:15 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Lockheed Martin
Mar 29, 2026 01:15 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 2 minutes ago
Launch Library 22 minutes ago
Launch ID: fad589a7-f523-424c-8f0d-cb3e2dbd7ef1
Open-Meteo Weather3 days ago
Pad weather at 28.47, -80.54

Mission Profile

Superbird 3 was a Atlas IIAS mission operated by Lockheed Martin that lifted off from Launch Complex 36B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on July 28, 1997. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Geostationary Orbit. The launch was a success.