OPS 4029 (12930)

COSPAR: 1981-107A | Alt Name: OPS 4029

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

October 31, 1981

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

LC40

Launch Vehicle

Titan IIIC

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

12930

International Designator

1981-107A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:38:23 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

5.62°

Right Ascension

1.85°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

44.41°

Period

1434.47 min

Mean Motion

1.00 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot

3D Visualization

Basic Satellite Info

Name

OPS 4029

Alternative Name

OPS 4029

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

NRO/SAFSP

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 12930U 81107A   26185.02665906 -.00000318  00000-0  00000-0 0  9991

2 12930   5.6201   1.8523 1043178  44.4124 341.3994  1.00385752  8049

Source: Celestrak

Summary

OPS 4029, also known by its OBJECT_ID 1981-107A and NORAD_CAT_ID 12930, is a US satellite manufactured by TRW for the NRO/SAFSP (National Reconnaissance Office/Satellite and Space Forces Program). Launched on October 31, 1981, from LC40 at AFETR using a Titan IIIC launch vehicle, this Vortex bus spacecraft has a configuration featuring approximately a 38-meter diameter dish antenna and is 3-axis-stabilized. The satellite measures about 6 meters in length with a diameter of 2.5 meters and spans 30 meters. It had a launch mass of 1000 kg, including fuel, but its dry mass was around 900 kg. Equipped with solar arrays and batteries for power, OPS 4029's mission involved SIGINT (Signals Intelligence), COMINT (Communications Intelligence), and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence). The satellite operated effectively for over 25 years, reaching milestone #10 in its lifetime.

Physical Characteristics

Length

Diameter

2.5

Span

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 10

Purpose

SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT

Mission

SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT

Manufacturer

TRW

Life Expectancy

+25 years (reached #10)

Bus

Vortex

Configuration

~ 38 m ï¿½ Dish Antenna, 3-Axis-Stabilization

Motor

Equipment

Power System

Solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.

Latitude

Longitude

Next Pass

Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)

Start Azimuth

Max Elevation

Stop Azimuth

Time Until

Pass Duration

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Space Force Kills Resilient GPS Program, China Tests Reusable Long March 12B | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force terminates Resilient GPS satellite program. China successfully tests Long March 12B reusable first stage at Jiuquan. GE and Lockheed validate detonation ramjet for hypersonic missiles.

X Report 5 Dec 2025

SpaceX made significant strides with the launch of 28 Starlink satellites while navigating regulatory challenges regarding rural broadband funding. Additionally, developments on the Crew Dragon mission continue to evolve with a change in cosmonaut assignment.

SpaceX Wins $178.5M Space Force Contract, X Report 3 Apr 2026

SpaceX secured a $178.5M Space Force contract to launch missile-tracking satellites from 2027, backing the Missile Track Custody threat-tracking layer.

Falcon Heavy Returns After 18-Month Hiatus for ViaSat-3 | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy lifts off for the 12th time after 18 months grounded, delivering the final ViaSat-3 satellite from LC-39A at 10:21 a.m. EDT.

Starship Launch Site Construction Advances at Kennedy Space Center | KeepTrack X Report

Starship launch site construction progresses at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. Elon Musk trolls Ryanair after budget airline refuses to install Starlink on its fleet.

Space Brief 31 Jul 2025

Today's Space Brief brings updates on the U.S. Space Force's upcoming missions, in-space technology strategies, the challenges faced by new launchers, and advancements in satellite communication.

X Report 23 Nov 2025

SpaceX continues its robust launch cadence with new Starlink deployments and faces challenges in Starship development following the recent damage to its prototype booster.

Space Force Awards $437M to Viasat, SES for Military Satcom | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force contracts Viasat and SES for $437M Protected Tactical Satcom-Global program. Four new GEO satellites replace vulnerable single-satellite systems.