USA 31 (19458)

COSPAR: 1988-077A | Alt Name: USA 31

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

September 2, 1988

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

LC40

Launch Vehicle

Titan 34D/Transtage

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

19458

International Designator

1988-077A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:55:09 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

27.71°

Right Ascension

6.65°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

187.11°

Period

717.26 min

Mean Motion

2.01 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 31

Alternative Name

USA 31

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

NRO/SAFSP

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 19458U 88077A   26185.07997645 -.00000103  00000-0  73885-2 0  9994

2 19458  27.7140   6.6515 7305474 187.1116 149.4400  2.00764525 15669

Source: Celestrak

Summary

USA 31, also known by its OBJECT_ID 1988-077A and NORAD_CAT_ID 19458, is a satellite manufactured by TRW for the NRO/SAFSP (National Reconnaissance Office/Special Activities Division). Launched on September 2, 1988, from Launch Pad LC40 at AFETR using a Titan 34D/Transtage launch vehicle, this SIGINT (Signal Intelligence), COMINT (Communications Intelligence), and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) satellite is equipped with a ~38 m diameter dish antenna and uses solar arrays and batteries for power. The spacecraft has a length of 6 meters, a diameter of 2.5 meters, and a span of 30 meters, with a launch mass of 1000 kg and a dry mass of 900 kg. It features 3-axis stabilization and is part of the VORTEX 12 payload system. The mission was stable from its launch date and had an operational lifetime of over 25 years.

Physical Characteristics

Length

Diameter

2.5

Span

Dry Mass

900

Launch Mass

1000

Shape

Box + 2 Pan + Dish

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

VORTEX 12

Purpose

SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT

Mission

SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT

Manufacturer

TRW

Life Expectancy

+25 years (reached #10)

Bus

Vortex

Configuration

~ 38 m ï¿½ Dish Antenna, 3-Axis-Stabilization

Motor

Equipment

Power System

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.

Latitude

Longitude

Next Pass

Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)

Start Azimuth

Max Elevation

Stop Azimuth

Time Until

Pass Duration

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