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USA 69 (21147)
COSPAR: 1991-017A | Alt Name: USA 69
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 8, 1991
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC4E
Launch Vehicle
Titan 403A
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
21147
International Designator
1991-017A
Decay Date
Unknown
Basic Satellite Info
Name
USA 69
Alternative Name
USA 69
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
NRO/CIA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
USA 69 (1991-017A) is a US reconnaissance satellite, also known as ONYX 2, launched on March 8, 1991, from AFWTR SLC4E using the Titan 403A launch vehicle. The satellite measures 12 meters in length with a diameter of 4 meters and spans 50 meters due to its solar arrays. It has a dry mass of 8,500 kg and was launched with a total mass of 9,000 kg. Equipped with SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) equipment for radar reconnaissance, it is capable of transmitting data back to Earth. The satellite's power system consists of two deployable solar arrays and batteries, and its shape is described as a truss structure with a dish antenna. Operated by the NRO/CIA, USA 69 was manufactured by MMD and had an estimated operational lifetime of about 9 years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
12
Diameter
4
Span
50
Dry Mass
8500
Launch Mass
9000
Shape
Truss + Dish
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
ONYX 2
Purpose
Reconnaissance, Radar (Data transmission type)
Mission
Reconnaissance, Radar (Data transmission type)
Manufacturer
MMD
Life Expectancy
9 years ?
Bus
LACROSSE
Configuration
SA-Radar
Motor
Bus-1
Equipment
SAR
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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