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USA 56 (20560)
COSPAR: 1990-031A | Alt Name: POGS
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 11, 1990
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3W
Launch Vehicle
Atlas E Altair
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
20560
International Designator
1990-031A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:08:04 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
89.86°
Right Ascension
260.75°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
205.06°
Period
97.45 min
Mean Motion
14.78 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 56
Alternative Name
POGS
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
AFSSD2
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 20560U 90031A 26185.21394488 .00000991 00000-0 13202-3 0 9997
2 20560 89.8613 260.7465 0059767 205.0580 154.7739 14.77704635115214
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The USA 56 satellite, also known as POGS (Performance of GPS), was launched on April 11, 1990, from AFWTR SLC3W using the Atlas E Altair launch vehicle. It is a Ministar configuration with the MAESTRO Bus design and belongs to the US. The spacecraft measures 0.4 meters in length, has a diameter of 0.6 meters, and a span of 6.1 meters. Its dry mass and launch mass are both 60 kilograms. USA 56 was designed for a one-year lifetime with a goal of three years and is powered by solar cells and batteries. The satellite's mission is technological testing, and it was manufactured by DSI (Defense Systems Inc.) for AFSSD2 (Air Force Space Test Program). It has a cylindrical shape with antennas and does not have an RCS system or motors.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.4
Diameter
0.6
Span
6.1
Dry Mass
60
Launch Mass
60
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
POGS
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
DSI
Life Expectancy
1 year (design); 3 years (goal)
Bus
Ministar
Configuration
MAESTRO Bus
Motor
None
Equipment
see above
Power System
Solar cells, 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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