Launch Overview
Vehicle
Titan 405A
Agency
United States Air Force
Site / Pad
CC / LC40
Outcome
Success
Flight
K-2 (45H-1)
COSPAR Designator
1996-038
Mission
Quasar 11 (Communications)
Satellite Data System (SDS) spacecraft are communication relay satellites for transmiting real-time data from US reconnaissance satellites (e.g. KH-11) in polar areas. They are also used for communications to USAF air craft on polar routes and connect the various ground stations of the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN). The spacecraft relay the downlinked KH-11 data to a ground station at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
Vehicle & Provider
Rocket
Titan 405A
Provider
United States Air Force
Agency launches
967 (9 YTD)
Site launches
515 (9 YTD)
Pad launches
43 (1 YTD)