USA 11 (16116)

COSPAR: 1985-092B | Alt Name: DSCS III B-4

Image
USA 11 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

October 3, 1985

Launch Pad

LC39A

Launch Vehicle

Space Shuttle

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

16116

International Designator

1985-092B

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:50:02 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

14.36°

Right Ascension

347.31°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

202.55°

Period

1449.83 min

Mean Motion

0.99 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

USA 11

Alternative Name

DSCS III B-4

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

AFSD/DCA

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 16116U 85092B   26184.95142105  .00000048  00000-0  00000-0 0  9999
2 16116  14.3625 347.3108 0002423 202.5539 146.9049  0.99321868 26086

Source: Celestrak

Summary
The satellite identified by NORAD CAT ID 16116 and OBJECT ID 1985-092B is known as USA 11 or DSCS III B-4, manufactured by GEVF. Launched on October 3, 1985, from LC39A at AFETR using a Space Shuttle launch vehicle, it serves a communication mission for the US Air Force Satellite Directorate (AFSD/DCA). This spacecraft is based on the DSCS-III bus with a configuration of 3-axis stabilization. It measures 2.1 meters in length and 1.9 meters in diameter, with a span of 9.5 meters and has a dry mass of 893 kilograms. Equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply, the satellite carries six SHF transponders along with one special purpose transponder operating on SHF and UHF frequencies. With an expected lifetime of ten years, its shape is described as "Box + 2 Pan." The launch mass was 1170 kilograms.
Physical Characteristics

Length

2.1

Diameter

1.9

Span

9.5

Dry Mass

893

Launch Mass

1170

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

DSCS III B-4

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

GEVF

Life Expectancy

10 years

Bus

DSCS III

Configuration

DSCS-3 Bus, 3-Axis stabilization

Motor

AOCS

Equipment

6 SHF transponders, 1 special purpose transponder (SHF and UHF)

Power System

2 deployable 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.
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.

$4.16B Space Force Contract Goes to SpaceX, X Report 30 May 2026

$4.16B Space Force Contract Goes to SpaceX, X Report 30 May 2026

SpaceX wins a $4.16B US Space Force contract for an airborne threat tracking satellite network. Starlink holds 10,413 satellites in orbit, 10,397 working.

Intel Partners on Musk's Terafab AI Chip Fab | KeepTrack X Report

Intel Partners on Musk's Terafab AI Chip Fab | KeepTrack X Report

Intel joins Terafab, Elon Musk's Austin AI chip complex, to supply SpaceX and Tesla as Falcon 9 prepares a Cygnus ISS run.

Vulcan Grounded as GEM 63XL Booster Passes Test | KeepTrack Space Brief

Vulcan Grounded as GEM 63XL Booster Passes Test | KeepTrack Space Brief

ULA's Vulcan remains grounded after February in-flight GEM 63XL booster anomaly. Northrop Grumman completed successful static fire test, but investigation ongoing with no return-to-flight date.

SpaceX Launches CAS500-2 and 44 Rideshares, Space Brief 3 May 2026

SpaceX Launches CAS500-2 and 44 Rideshares, Space Brief 3 May 2026

SpaceX CAS500-2 launch success: Falcon 9 flew May 3 at 0700 UTC from Vandenberg with South Korea's imaging satellite and 44 rideshare payloads.

Space Force Awards Orbital AMTI to 9 Companies | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force Awards Orbital AMTI to 9 Companies | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force confirmed 9 companies won orbital Air Moving Target Indication contracts. Capability shifts airborne surveillance to satellites for expanded coverage and survivability.

X Report 6 Nov 2025

X Report 6 Nov 2025

SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites, marking the start of a busy month for their satellite deployment efforts. The mission is part of an ongoing expansion of their broadband internet constellation.

Space Brief 17 May 2025

Space Brief 17 May 2025

Today's brief covers SES's satellite orchestration, SpaceX's defense role, cyber scorecards in DoD, and more.

Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO)

Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO)

Understanding the unique orbital sweet spot that keeps satellites perfectly positioned above Earth