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The Ka-band frequencies used on ACTS, 30 GHz uplink and 20 GHz downlink, are new capabilities for U.S. communications satellites (however, the Japanese were first to launch a 30/20 GHz satellite). The use of these high frequencies makes wide bandwidth channels (900 MHz) available.
The ACTS system is available for experiments by industry, universities, and other government agencies as well as for demonstrations that evaluate new service applications. Around 100 experiments are being planned or executed.
ACTS had a long and tortuous existance through the 1980's as Congress and the White House debated the philosophy of having NASA develop technology for the U.S. satellite communications industry. For several years in the design phase, the administration deleted ACTS from its budget only to have Congress reinstate the project.
ACTS was launched on September 12, 1993. The spacecraft was built by Lockheed Martin Astro-Space. At the time the ACTS project started, Astro-Space was owned by RCA. Later GE bought RCA and renamed the company GE Astro-Space Division. Martin Marietta bought Astro-Space from GE in April 1993 and renamed it Martin Marietta Astro Space. Continuing the consolidation that it has pursued in the difficult economic times that faced the aerospace industry following the end of the Cold War, Martin Marietta merged with Lockheed and the new company is known as Lockheed Martin.
NASA ACTS image numbers: 93-hc-380, 93-hc-527, C-1987-1695, C-1992-6108, C-1993-2151