ATS-1/3 type

Applications Technology
Satellite (ATS) series

ATS-2/4/5 type ATS-6
ATS-1/3 typeATS-2/4/5 typeATS-6

This page contains philatelic information on the ATS (Applications Technology Satellite) series. Catalog numbers, years of issue, and notes on the satellites featured are given when available. If readers know of additional information or images, please contact the authors using the e-mail addresses at the bottom of this page.

Launch information
(found elsewhere)
Launch covers
(including anniversary-of-launch covers, and launch-related event covers)
(farther below)
Other postal items
(stamps, souvenir sheets, aerogrammes, postal cards, etc.)
(immediately below)
ATS ATS ATS
ATS (on other than ATS launch covers)


Below is a list of ATS series postal items (stamps, souvenir sheets, aerogrammes, postal cards, etc.).

CountryCatalog NumberType of ItemYear of IssueNotes on Content
Applications Technology Satellite (ATS)
AustraliaNone(Purple rubber-stamp) cachet on cover1970"Applications Technology Satellite"
Central African Republic663 (BL283A)
i663 (BL283B)
In (right) margin of SS1
In (right) margin of imperforate SS1
1984ATS-2/4/5 type (small image, adjacent to stamp)
Denmark489 fdc (Mi521 fdc)(N) cachet on FDC1972"ATS-3" full-disk true-color image
Denmark627 fdc (Mi677 fdc)(N) cachet on FDC1979"ATS-3" full-disk true-color image
Ecuador772 (Mi1454)1969ATS-2/4/5 type (not "Applications Technology Satellite-3", as in text)
Ecuador772e (BL51)Imperforate MS3 (772-772A+772C)
France1725 maxi (Mi2253 maxi)(Multi-color printed) cachet on maxicard1981"ATS-III" (ATS-3) full-disk true-color image (on maxicard cachet, photo was taken 18 November 1967)
Franklin Mint (USA)None(Bronze) medallion, also reverse1970s"ATS-6"
Grenada494 (Mi520)1973"ATS-3"
Grenada494+496 fdcOne of two stamps on FDC (ArtCraft cachet)
Grenada567 (Mi594)1974ATS-1/3 type
Grenada Grenadines25 (Mi27)From MS5 (25a (5x 25 + label))1974ATS-1/3 type
Hungary2667+label (Mi3459A+label)
i2667+label (Mi3459B+label)
Label with stamp, also detail
Imperforate stamp and label
1980ATS-2/4/5 type
Hungary2667+label fdcLabel with stamp on FDC
Liberia665 (Mi909)
i665

Imperforate
1974ATS-1/3 type
Liberia665 dsDeluxe sheet (655)
Mexico2697 (Mi3589)2010ATS-1/3 type (but "Morelos-2" in text)
Mexico2697 fdcStamp on FDC
MongoliaC75 (Mi930)1975ATS-6
Panama490 (Mi1097)464 overprinted in black1968"ATS-3"
Panama490A (Mi1098)464D overprinted in black
Panama490-490A fdcTwo stamps on FDC
Panama490B (BL96A)
i490B (BL96B)
On both stamps of MS2 (490B (c-d)), 464Ef overprinted in gold
On both stamps of imperforate MS2 (i490B (c-d)), i464Ef overprinted in gold, changed colors
Panama490B fdc
i490B fdc
MS2 on FDC
Imperforate MS2 on FDC
PanamaC366 (Mi1143)1969"ATS-3" (but Early Bird / Intelsat-1 depicted)
PanamaC366a (BL105)SS1 (C366)
St. Lucia609 (Mi604)1983ATS-1/3 type
SpainNone(Orange and blue and black printed) cachet on cover1984"ATS" (in text only)
Tonga783b (Mi1176)One of strip of 3 (783 (a-c)) (Mi1175-1177)1991ATS-6
Tonga783b specimenOne of strip of 3 (783 specimen (a-c))
United Nations256-257 fdc (Mi279-280 fdc)(Orbit Covers) cachet on FDC1975"ATS-I" (ATS-1) and "ATS-III" (ATS-3)
United StatesNone(Orbit Covers) cachet on cover1968"ATS-3"
United States1410 fdc (Mi1012 fdc)(SCCS) cachet on FDC, also back1970ATS-3 full-disk true-color image
United States1413 fdc (Mi1015 fdc)(SCCS) cachet on FDC
United States1413a fdc (Mi1012-1015 fdc)(SCCS) cachet on FDC
United States1570a fdc (Mi1179-1180 fdc)(Motorola Stamp Club) cachet on FDC, also cachet detail1975ATS-6 served as a communications relay satellite during the ASTP mission. See this cover and here and here for some details. To the authors' knowledge, no other satellite was used during the mission.
United States1759 fdc
1710 cover
(Aeropex'77) cachet on FDC, also annotated1978
1977
"ATS"-1/3 type [#7 in annotated cachet image]
United StatesNone(GSFC multi-satellite blue rubber-stamp) cachet on cover1979"ATS"-1/3 type
Venezuela1184 (Mi2081)1978ATS-6
Venezuela1184 fdcStamp and (pictorial) cancel and (blue and black printed) cachet on FDC


Below is a list of ATS-series launch covers (including anniversary-of-launch covers, and launch-related event covers).

CountryCancel DateCancel LocationType of ItemNotes on Content
Applications Technology Satellite (ATS)
1966-12-07: ATS-1
United States1966-12-06Kennedy Space Center FL(Swanson red rubber-stamp and black typed) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-06Kennedy Space Center FL(R. DuBeau blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-06Kennedy Space Center FL(DuBeau blue rubber-stamp) cachet (different) on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-06Kennedy Space Center FL(DuBeau cyan rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-06Kennedy Space Center FL(DuBeau/Jarrett? cyan and blue rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-06Kennedy Space Center FL(Black typed) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert or insert variation (slightly different labeling)ATS-1 launch (but ATS-2 depicted)
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet (and signature) on cover, also insert or insert variation (slightly different labeling)ATS-1 launch (but ATS-2 depicted)
United States1966-12-07Patrick AFB, FL(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert or insert variation (slightly different labeling)ATS-1 launch (but ATS-2 depicted)
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(Orbit Covers) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)(Orbit Covers) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL(Centennial) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL(Swanson purple rubber-stamp and black typed) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL(Swanson purple rubber-stamp) cachet (and signature) on cover, and (hand-written) insertATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-07Patrick AFB, FL(Swanson purple rubber-stamp and black typed) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL(HJM black and black typed) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL(HJM blue-green and Swanson purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(Sarzin) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)(Sarzin) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
United States1966-12-07Cape Canaveral FL(Sokalsky green and purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-1 launch
ATS-1 (events)
United States1967-06-25Satellite Beach FL(Rank velvet) cachet on coverEarly Bird (Intelsat-1), Intelsat-2-2, Intelsat-2-3, and ATS-1: "First worldwide TV show featuring the Beatles by satellite" (TIROS depicted)
1967-04-06: ATS-2
United States1967-04-05Kennedy Space Center FL(Cyan and red rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-2 launch (but ATS-1/3 type depicted)
United States1967-04-06Cape Canaveral FL(Orbit Covers) cachet on coverATS-2 launch
United States1967-04-06Cape Canaveral FL(Centennial) cachet on coverATS-2 launch
United States1967-04-06Cape Canaveral FL(HJM black and black typed) cachet on coverATS-2 launch
United States1967-04-06Patrick AFB, FL(HJM blue and Swanson purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-2 launch
United States1967-04-06Patrick AFB, FL(Swanson purple rubber-stamp and black typed) cachet on coverATS-2 launch
1967-11-05: ATS-3
United States1967-11-05Kennedy Space Center FL(R. DuBeau blue rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-05Kennedy Space Center FL(R. DuBeau blue rubber-stamp) cachet (slightly different) on coverATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-05Kennedy Space Center FL(Centennial red earth) cachet on coverATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-05Patrick AFB, FL (machine cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insertATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-05Patrick AFB, FL (hand cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insertATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-06Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insertATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-06Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet (and signature) on cover, also insertATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-06Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insertATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-06Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(Orbit Covers) cachet on coverATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-06Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)(Orbit Covers) cachet on coverATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-06Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)(Centennial red earth) cachet on coverATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-06Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(Centennial red earth) cachet on coverATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-06Cape Canaveral FL(HJM black and black typed) cachet on coverATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-06Cape Canaveral FL(Sarzin) cachet on coverATS-3 launch
United States1967-11-06Cape Canaveral FL(Whitney green and magenta and black) cachet on coverATS-3 launch
1968-08-10: ATS-4 [partial failure]
United States1968-08-10Kennedy Space Center FL(R. DuBeau red-brown rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-4 launch [partial failure]
United States1968-08-10Patrick AFB, FL (hand cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert or insert variation (slightly different line lengths)ATS-4 launch [partial failure]
United States1968-08-10Patrick AFB, FL (machine cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert or insert variation (slightly different line lengths)ATS-4 launch [partial failure]
United States1968-08-10Patrick AFB, FL (machine cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet (and signature) on cover, also insert or insert variation (slightly different line lengths)ATS-4 launch [partial failure]
United States1968-08-10Patrick AFB, FL(HJM blue and Whitney blue and green) cachet on coverATS-4 launch [partial failure]
United States1968-08-10Kennedy Space Center FL(Centennial-like) cachet on coverATS-4 launch [partial failure]
United States1968-08-11Cape Canaveral FL(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert or insert variation (slightly different line lengths)ATS-4 launch [partial failure]
United States1968-08-11Cape Canaveral FL(Centennial) cachet on coverATS-4 launch [partial failure]
United States1968-08-11Cape Canaveral FL(Centennial-like) cachet on coverATS-4 launch [partial failure]
United States1968-08-11Cape Canaveral FL(Centennial-like) cachet (different) on coverATS-4 launch [partial failure]
United States1968-08-11Cape Canaveral FL(Sarzin) cachet on coverATS-4 launch [partial failure]
United States1968-08-11Cape Canaveral FL(Swanson/DuBeau? magenta rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-4 launch [partial failure]
ATS-4 (events)
United States1968-08-21Cape Canaveral FL(Orbit Covers) cachet on coverATS-4 ion engine test
1969-08-12: ATS-5
Australia1969-08-12Darling Downs QLD(Text) cancel and (Royal) cachet on coverATS-5 launch (but Intelsat depicted)
United States1969-08-12Patrick AFB, FL (hand cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert1 and insert2 and insert2 backATS-5 launch; (also "ATS-1", "ATS-2", "ATS-3", and "ATS-4" on insert2 back)
United States1969-08-12Patrick AFB, FL (machine cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert1 and insert2 and insert2 backATS-5 launch; (also "ATS-1", "ATS-2", "ATS-3", and "ATS-4" on insert2 back)
United States1969-08-12Cape Canaveral (hand cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert1 and insert2 and insert2 backATS-5 launch; (also "ATS-1", "ATS-2", "ATS-3", and "ATS-4" on insert2 back)
United States1969-08-12Cape Canaveral (machine cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert1 and insert2 and insert2 backATS-5 launch; (also "ATS-1", "ATS-2", "ATS-3", and "ATS-4" on insert2 back)
United States1969-08-12Cape Canaveral (machine cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet (and signature) on cover, also insert1 and insert2 and insert2 backATS-5 launch; (also "ATS-1", "ATS-2", "ATS-3", and "ATS-4" on insert2 back)
United States1969-08-12Cape Canaveral (machine cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet (but no stamp) on cover, also insert1 and insert2 and insert2 backATS-5 launch; (also "ATS-1", "ATS-2", "ATS-3", and "ATS-4" on insert2 back)
United States1969-08-12Kennedy Space Center FL(SpaceCraft/Swanson) cachet on cover, also insert1 and insert2 and insert2 backATS-5 launch; (also "ATS-1", "ATS-2", "ATS-3", and "ATS-4" on insert2 back)
United States1969-08-12Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)(Orbit Covers, no logo) cachet on coverATS-5 launch
United States1969-08-12Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(Orbit Covers, no logo) cachet on coverATS-5 launch
United States1969-08-12Cape Canaveral FL(Centennial) cachet on coverATS-5 launch
United States1969-08-12Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(Whitney blue and black) cachet on coverATS-5 launch
United States1969-08-12Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)(Whitney blue and black) cachet on coverATS-5 launch
United States1969-08-12Patrick AFB, FL(Whitney blue and black) cachet on coverATS-5 launch
United States1969-08-12Kennedy Space Center FL(Black rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-5 launch (but Apollo depicted)
United States1969-08-12Cape Canaveral FL(Sarzin) cachet on coverATS-5 launch
United States1969-08-12Cape Canaveral FL(C. Swanson/DuBeau? dark red rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-5 launch
1974-05-30: ATS-6
Spain1974-05-30Madrid(NASA rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Greenbelt MD(GSFC Stamp Club) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Cape Canaveral FL(Orbit Covers) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Kennedy Space Center FL(Centennial) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Cape Canaveral FL(Centennial) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Patrick AFB, FL(Whitney black and magenta) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(Whitney black and magenta) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)(Whitney black and magenta) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Kennedy Space Center FL(SCPS ser.74/5) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Kennedy Space Center FL(SCPS ser.74/5) cachet (and signature) on cover, also backATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Cape Canaveral FL(SCCS) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Greenbelt MD(GSFC STDN purple rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Cape Canaveral FL(Space Voyage) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Cape Canaveral FL(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Kennedy Space Center FL(Space Voyage) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Kennedy Space Center FL(InterSpace Cover) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Patrick AFB, FL("unauthorized" Swanson red rubber-stamp used by Goldcraft) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Kennedy Space Center FL(Red rubber-stamp) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Kennedy Space Center FL(Red rubber-stamp) cachet on (airmail) coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Cape Canaveral FL(Centennial-like) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Cape Canaveral FL(Centennial-like) cachet (different) on coverATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30Kennedy Space Center FL(Dexter Press Inc.) cachet on postcard, also backATS-6 launch
United States1974-05-30
1975-07-15
Cape Canaveral FL
Kennedy Space Center FL
(Space Voyage) cachet (different) on coverATS-6 launch
USA 1570 fdc
United States1974-05-30
1975-07-17
Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)
Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)
(Space Voyage) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
Apollo-Soyuz "First international link-up"
United States1974-05-30
1975-07-17
Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)
Houston TX (hand cancel)
(Space Voyage) cachet on coverATS-6 launch
Apollo-Soyuz "First international link-up"
ATS-6 (events)
United States1974-07-01Patrick AFB, FL(Goldcraft) cachet on coverATS-6 first "day of transmission"
United States1974-10-23Houston TX(Black printed) cachet on coverATS-6 "NASA-JSC tests Apollo-Soyuz satellite communications relay"
ATS (on other than ATS launch covers)
United States1968-08-08Lompoc CA, Vandenberg AFB(SpaceCraft/Swanson sticker) cachet on Explorer-39 and Explorer-40 launch cover, also insertATS-2/4/5 type (in background of sticker)
United States1968-11-08Cape Canaveral FL(Sarzin) cachet on Pioneer-9 and TETR-2 launch cover, also annotatedATS-3
United States1969-02-05Patrick AFB, FL (hand cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) insert2 from Intelsat-3-3 launch cover, also front and insert1"ATS" (in text only)
United States1969-02-05Patrick AFB, FL (machine cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) insert2 from Intelsat-3-3 launch cover, also front and insert1
United States1969-02-06Cape Canaveral FL(SpaceCraft/Swanson) insert2 from Intelsat-3-3 launch cover, also front and insert1
United States1969-07-25Patrick AFB, FL(SpaceCraft/Swanson) insert1 from Intelsat-3-5 launch cover, also front and insert2 (partial)"ATS-1" and "ATS-3"
United States1969-07-26Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) insert1 from Intelsat-3-5 launch cover, also front and insert2 (partial)
United States1969-07-26Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(SpaceCraft/Swanson) insert1 from Intelsat-3-5 launch cover, also front and insert2 (partial)
United States1970-01-15Cape Canaveral FL (machine cancel)(Orbit Covers) cachet on Intelsat-3-6 launch cover"ATS-1" and "ATS-3"
United States1970-01-15Cape Canaveral FL (hand cancel)(Orbit Covers) cachet on Intelsat-3-6 launch cover
United States1970-03-07Colorado Springs CO(R.E. Nichol black and blue and magenta rubber-stamp) cachet on (sub-orbital rocket launch cover, also back"ATS-3 moved to photo[graph] [the] Moon's shadow on the Earth" (during the solar eclipse)
Spain1975-04-10Madrid(Black printed) cachet on GEOS-3 launch cover"ATS-6 (ATS-F)"
Spain1975-07-17Madrid(Estacion Espacial de Madrid) cachet on Apollo-ASTP and Soyuz-19 ASTP docking cover"ATS-F" (ATS-6)
United States1975-09-25Cape Canaveral FL(Orbit Covers) cachet on Intelsat-4A-1 launch cover"ATS-1" and "ATS-3"
United States1976-03-16Auburn MA(GSFC Stamp Club blue printed) cachet on 50th anniv. first liquid fuel rocket flight/launch cover"ATS"-1/3 type
United States1976-09-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? red variation satellite-launch rubber-stamp) cachet on KH8-47 launch coverATS-6
United States1976-09-15Vandenberg AFB, CA(Vandy?/DuBeau? red variation satellite-launch rubber-stamp) cachet on KH8-47 launch (airmail) cover
United States1977-06-16Cape Canaveral FL(Orbit Covers) cachet on GOES-2 launch cover"ATS-6"
United States1977-11-22Cape Canaveral FL(Orbit Covers) cachet on Meteosat-1 launch cover"ATS-6"
United States1978-05-20GSFC, MD(GSFC multi-satellite blue rubber-stamp) cachet (same design as five above) on Pioneer-12 launch cover"ATS"-1/3 type
United States1978-06-16Cape Canaveral FL(Orbit Covers) cachet on GOES-3 launch cover"ATS-6" (in text only)
United States1978-10-24GSFC, MD(GSFC multi-satellite blue rubber-stamp) cachet (same as two above) on Nimbus-7 and CAMEO launch cover"ATS"-1/3 type
United States1983-01-25Greenbelt MD(GSFC multi-satellite blue rubber-stamp) cachet (same) on IRAS and PIX-2 launch cover"ATS"-1/3 type
United States1985-04-01Washington DC(Purple printed) cachet on TIROS-1 anniversary cover"ATS" (in logo text)


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