SLDCOM 4

USA

Spacecraft n°:

USA satellite n°:

Also called USA 119

Launch data:

Designation23893 / 96029A
Launch date12 May 1996 - 21:32 UT
Launch site Va, SLC-4E
Launch vehicle  Titan-4(03)A (#17)
MissionMilitary: ocean reconnaissance (Triplet)
Earth orbit on:
Orbit 1022 km?
Inclination 63.4°?

SLDCOM under construction by NRL

Spacecraft data:

Prime contractor  NRL
Platform  
Operator NRO
Mass at launch   kg
Dry Mass  kg
Basic shape  
Dimension (m) 
Solar array  
Stabilization  
DC power  
Design lifetime  

Sub satellites


NOSS-2 4A / USA 120 (23907 / 96029B)
NOSS-2 4B / USA 121 (23908 / 96029C)
NOSS-2 4C / USA 122 (23862 / 96029D)

TiPS


A tether satellite was carried with this launch called: Tether Physics and Survivability (TiPS) This experiment consists of 2 small end-masses connected by a 4 km nonconductuve braided tether (total mass: 53 kg). TiPS was jettisoned from its "host vehicle" on 20 June. It is aimed to test the survivability of the tether. The tether is predicted to have a mean life of 5 years before it is cut by orbital debris. The observed life of TiPS will help understand and validate these theoretical predictions.

The two objects could be USA 123 (23936 / 96029E) & 124 (23937 / 96029F)

Ref: #7 - update: 07.03.09