USA 53 (20516)

COSPAR: 1990-019B | Alt Name: USA 53
DECAYED

Image
USA 53 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

February 28, 1990

Launch Pad

LC39A

Launch Vehicle

Space Shuttle

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

20516

International Designator

1990-019B

Decay Date

Unknown

Basic Satellite Info

Name

USA 53

Alternative Name

USA 53

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

NRO

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
USA 53, also known as MISTY 1, is an American reconnaissance satellite launched on February 28, 1990, from Launch Complex 39A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station using a Space Shuttle launch vehicle. It was manufactured by LMSC and owned by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The satellite has a cylindrical shape with two panels, measuring 10 meters in length and 3.1 meters in diameter. Its dry mass is 12,000 kilograms, and it weighed 16,900 kilograms at launch. USA 53 was designed for electro-optical reconnaissance and stealth purposes, with a mission lifetime of approximately 7.5 years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

10

Diameter

3.1

Span

10

Dry Mass

12000

Launch Mass

16900

Shape

Cyl + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

MISTY 1

Purpose

Reconnaissance, electro-optical, stealth

Mission

Reconnaissance, electro-optical, stealth

Manufacturer

LMSC

Life Expectancy

+ 7.5 years

Bus

IC

Configuration

?

Motor

?

Equipment

?

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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