USA 17 (16625)

COSPAR: 1986-014F | Alt Name: USA-17

Image
USA 17 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

February 9, 1986

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC3E

Launch Vehicle

Atlas H

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

16625

International Designator

1986-014F

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:14:31 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

63.30°

Right Ascension

54.83°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

115.98°

Period

104.76 min

Mean Motion

13.75 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

USA 17

Alternative Name

USA-17

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

NRO/NRL

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 16625U 86014F   26184.92675830  .00006239  00000-0  59446-3 0  9991
2 16625  63.3021  54.8303 0784638 115.9822 252.4170 13.74611150345129

Source: Celestrak

Summary
The satellite USA 17 (OBJECT_ID: 1986-014F) is a US-owned spacecraft managed by NRO/NRL for ocean surveillance and ELINT purposes. Launched on February 9, 1986, from the AFWTR launch site using an Atlas H rocket, it has dimensions of approximately 0.9 meters in length and 0.4 meters in diameter with a span of 10 meters. It weighs about 200 kilograms at launch and is equipped with 4 deployable solar arrays for power generation along with batteries. The satellite's shape consists of a box structure with an antenna and it uses gravity gradient stabilization technology. Its payload includes the PARCAE 8 SSU-2 system, and it was manufactured by MM.
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-2

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

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