Space Brief 11 Nov 2025
Record-breaking Chinese launches, SDA funding issues, and a new Starlink milestone highlight today's space news.
USA 60 (20682)
COSPAR: 1990-050B | Alt Name: USA 60
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 8, 1990
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC41
Launch Vehicle
Titan 405A
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
20682
International Designator
1990-050B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:26:53 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
63.29°
Right Ascension
162.10°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
83.26°
Period
105.40 min
Mean Motion
13.66 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 60
Alternative Name
USA 60
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
NRO/NRL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 20682U 90050B 26184.93533769 .00008511 00000-0 55150-3 0 9992
2 20682 63.2930 162.0982 0874070 83.2632 286.6977 13.66192977106149
Source: Celestrak
Summary
USA 60, also known as 1990-050B, is an ocean surveillance and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) satellite launched by the US on June 8, 1990, from Air Force Eastern Test Range Launch Complex 41 using a Titan 405A launch vehicle. Manufactured by NRL (Naval Research Laboratory), it has a configuration of Bus type NOSS B SSU and carries an Improved PARCAE 1 SSU-1 payload for its mission objectives. The satellite measures approximately 1 meter in length and diameter, with a span of 10 meters. It had a launch mass of 400 kg, which is also its dry mass. USA 60 was stabilized by June 9, 1990, shortly after launch. Its shape is described as Box + Ant, though specific details on power and motor systems are not provided in the data.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1
Diameter
1
Span
10
Dry Mass
400
Launch Mass
400
Shape
Box + Ant
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Improved PARCAE 1 SSU-1
Purpose
Ocean Surveillance, ELINT
Mission
Ocean Surveillance, ELINT
Manufacturer
Naval Research Laboratory
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
NOSS B SSU
Configuration
?
Motor
?
Equipment
?
Power System
Unknown
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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