X Report 26 Feb 2025
SpaceX progresses with Starship Flight 8 preparations, completes investigation into Flight 7 mishap, and prepares for upcoming launches.
USA 16 (16624)
COSPAR: 1986-014E | Alt Name: USA-16
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 9, 1986
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3E
Launch Vehicle
Atlas H
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
16624
International Designator
1986-014E
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:27:14 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
63.30°
Right Ascension
70.24°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
116.55°
Period
104.94 min
Mean Motion
13.72 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
USA 16
Alternative Name
USA-16
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
NRO/NRL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 16624U 86014E 26184.97725405 .00005409 00000-0 53331-3 0 9994
2 16624 63.3006 70.2367 0792653 116.5546 251.8949 13.72162610351257
Source: Celestrak
Summary
USA 16, also known as USA-16 and NORAD ID 16624, is a US satellite launched on February 9, 1986, from AFWTR SLC3E using an Atlas H launch vehicle. It serves for Ocean Surveillance and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) missions operated by NRO/NRL. The spacecraft is equipped with the PARCAE 8 SSU-1 payload and powered by four deployable solar arrays and batteries. Its dimensions include a length of 0.9 meters, diameter of 0.4 meters, and span of 10 meters. It has a dry mass of 200 kilograms and is stabilized using gravity gradient stabilization. The satellite's configuration includes a Box + Ant shape, and it was manufactured by MM (Martin Marietta).
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.9
Diameter
0.4
Span
10
Dry Mass
200
Launch Mass
200
Shape
Box + Ant
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
PARCAE 8 SSU-1
Purpose
Ocean Surveillance, ELINT
Mission
Ocean Surveillance, ELINT
Manufacturer
MM
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
NOSS SSU
Configuration
Gravity gradient stabilized
Motor
?
Equipment
?
Power System
4 deployable 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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