USA 6 (15423)

COSPAR: 1984-122A | Alt Name: USA 6
DECAYED

Image
USA 6 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

December 4, 1984

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Titan 34D

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

15423

International Designator

1984-122A

Decay Date

Unknown

Basic Satellite Info

Name

USA 6

Alternative Name

USA 6

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

NRO/CIA

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
The satellite identified by NORAD catalog ID 15423, also known as USA 6 or OBJECT_ID 1984-122A, is a KH-11 reconnaissance satellite configured under Bus-1, manufactured by TRW for the NRO/CIA. It was launched on December 4, 1984, from SLC4E at AFWTR (Cape Canaveral Air Force Station) using a Titan 34D launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 19 meters in length with a diameter of 3 meters and a span of 30 meters when fully deployed. It has a dry mass of 8,556 kg, the same as its launch mass. The satellite is equipped with deployable solar arrays and batteries for power generation. Its purpose is electro-optical reconnaissance, carrying the CRYSTAL 6 payload. The structure consists of a cylindrical body plus two panels, with no specific details provided on its ADCS system or RCS capabilities.
Physical Characteristics

Length

19

Diameter

3

Span

30

Dry Mass

8556

Launch Mass

8556

Shape

Cyl + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

CRYSTAL 6

Purpose

Reconnaissance, electro-optical

Mission

Reconnaissance, electro-optical

Manufacturer

TRW

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

KH-11

Configuration

Bus-1

Motor

?

Equipment

?

Power System

Deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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