USA 008

USA


Also called Magnum 1

Launch data:

Designation 15543 / 85010B
Launch date 24 Jan 1985
Launch site KSC, LC-39A
Launch vehicleShuttle STS-51C / IUS
MissionMilitary: SIGINT (Magnum)
Geostationary orbit:

Magnum type satellite, built by TRW. Carried a 76 m diameter antenna.

This type of satellite (SIGINT) has seen its performance increase with the diameter of the receiving antenna. Thus the Canyon satellites (1968-72) had 10 m antennas, the Rhyolite / Aquacade (1973-78) and the Jumpseat (1973-78) 18 m, the Vortex / Chalet (1978-89) 38 m and the Magnum / Orion 76 m.

Ref: #15 - update: 27.10.04