USA 24 (18010)

COSPAR: 1987-043F | Alt Name: USA-24

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

May 15, 1987

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC3E

Launch Vehicle

Atlas H

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

18010

International Designator

1987-043F

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:28:15 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

63.30°

Right Ascension

312.46°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

104.92°

Period

103.82 min

Mean Motion

13.87 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 24

Alternative Name

USA-24

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

NRO/NRL

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 18010U 87043F   26184.81128856  .00012773  00000-0  74797-3 0  9999

2 18010  63.2986 312.4553 0784500 104.9194 264.0006 13.87038183347768

Source: Celestrak

Summary

USA 24, also known as USA-24, is an ocean surveillance and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) satellite belonging to the NRO/NRL. It was launched on May 15, 1987, from AFWTR SLC3E using an Atlas H launch vehicle. The satellite has a configuration of gravity gradient stabilized with dimensions of 0.9 meters in length and 0.4 meters in diameter, with a span of 10 meters. It weighs approximately 200 kilograms at launch and in its dry state. USA 24 is equipped with four deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply. The spacecraft's shape consists of a box configuration with an antenna attached, known as the NOSS SSU (Navy Ocean Surveillance Satellite Subordinate Spacecraft). It was manufactured by MM and is designated under OBJECT_ID 1987-043F with NORAD catalog ID 18010.

Physical Characteristics

Length

0.9

Diameter

0.4

Span

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 9 SSU-2

Purpose

Ocean Surveillance, ELINT

Mission

Ocean Surveillance, ELINT

Manufacturer

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

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Latitude

Longitude

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