🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
CANYON 3
Retired 1977CANYON 3 (NORAD 4510, COSPAR 1970-069A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1977, launched on 1 Sep 1970 on the CANYON 3 mission. It was operated by SAMSO as part of the CANYON programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC? on the CANYON bus, with a mass of 260 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1970
launched
1977
retired
56
years on orbit
260
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched1 Sep 1970 · on the CANYON 3 mission
Operational1 Jan 1977 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1977 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID4510
COSPAR1970-069A
TypeSatellite
OperatorSAMSO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC?
BusCANYON
Mass260 kg
ProgrammeCANYON
CategorySIG
OrbitGEO (GEO/NS)
Altitude31,947 × 39,855 km
Inclination10.3°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to CANYON 3?
CANYON 3 was retired from service around 1 Jan 1977 after launching in 1970. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built CANYON 3?
CANYON 3 was operated by SAMSO and built by LMSC? (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.