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USA 57 (20561)
COSPAR: 1990-031B | Alt Name: TEX
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
20561
International Designator
1990-031B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:26:13 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
89.85°
Right Ascension
264.49°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
359.55°
Period
97.74 min
Mean Motion
14.73 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
USA 57
Alternative Name
TEX
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
AFSSD2
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 20561U 90031B 26185.18488345 .00000624 00000-0 90879-4 0 9999
2 20561 89.8515 264.4921 0066214 359.5467 0.5681 14.73267269117688
Source: Celestrak
Summary
USA 57, also known as TEX, is a technology satellite developed by DSI (Defense Systems Inc) for AFSSD2 (Air Force Space Test Program). It was launched on April 11, 1990, from AFWTR (Cape Canaveral Air Force Station), using an Atlas E Altair launch vehicle from SLC3W. The satellite is based on the Ministar Bus with a MAESTRO configuration and has dimensions of 0.4 meters in length and 0.6 meters in diameter, with a span of 6.1 meters when deployed. It weighs 67 kilograms at launch and operates primarily through solar cells and batteries for power. USA 57 was designed to last one year but aimed for three years of operation. Its primary mission is technology testing, and it has a cylindrical shape with antennas extending from its body.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.4
Diameter
0.6
Span
6.1
Dry Mass
67
Launch Mass
67
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
TEX
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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