The Launching of Anik A1

At 8:13 EST, on the evening of 9 November 1972 a Thor-Delta launch vehicle stood poised on Pad 17-B at the eastern Test Range at Cape Kennedy, Florida.

Encased in a fairing near the top of the 119-foot rocket was a 1,238 pound payload - Telesat Canada's Anik I satellite - destined to become the world's first domestic communications satellite in synchronous orbit.

At 8:14 p.m., with a thunderous roar, and belching smoke and flame, the launch vehicle lifted slowly off its pad and accelerated into the clear night sky.

Twenty-six minutes later Anik I was in orbit.

Satellite Model Anik A - Technical details for Anik A.

Anik A - Design and Construction

Other sites for information on the Anik A:

Telesat -- Telesat Canada Web site