X Report 18 Jun 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites while preparing for the upcoming Ax-4 mission to the ISS. Significant progress continues in their ongoing space endeavors.
OPS 1948 (11558)
COSPAR: 1979-086A | Alt Name: OPS 1948
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
October 1, 1979
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Titan IIIC
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
11558
International Designator
1979-086A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:24:32 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
6.04°
Right Ascension
11.97°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
77.82°
Period
1437.40 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
OPS 1948
Alternative Name
OPS 1948
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
NRO/SAFSP
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 11558U 79086A 26185.22537736 .00000096 00000-0 00000-0 0 9992
2 11558 6.0388 11.9720 1314709 77.8167 302.7659 1.00180910 26389
Source: Celestrak
Summary
OPS 1948, also known as Vortex, is an intelligence satellite operated by NRO/SAFSP and manufactured by TRW. It was launched on October 1, 1979, from the AFETR launch site using a Titan IIIC vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 6 meters in length, 2.5 meters in diameter, and spans 30 meters due to its large dish antenna configuration. Weighing 1000 kg at launch with a dry mass of 900 kg, it is equipped with solar arrays and batteries for power supply. The satellite's mission includes SIGINT (Signals Intelligence), COMINT (Communications Intelligence), and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence). It features 3-axis stabilization and is shaped like a box with two panels and a dish antenna, designed to capture intelligence data from various sources. The satellite has operated for over 25 years since its launch.
Physical Characteristics
Length
6
Diameter
2.5
Span
30
Dry Mass
900
Launch Mass
1000
Shape
Box + 2 Pan + Dish
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
VORTEX 9
Purpose
SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT
Mission
SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT
Manufacturer
TRW
Life Expectancy
+25 years (reached #10)
Bus
Vortex
Configuration
~ 38 m � Dish Antenna, 3-Axis-Stabilization
Motor
?
Equipment
?
Power System
Solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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