USA 81 (21949)

COSPAR: 1992-023A | Alt Name: USA 81

Image
USA 81 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

April 25, 1992

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4W

Launch Vehicle

Titan II SLV

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

21949

International Designator

1992-023A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:38:39 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

85.01°

Right Ascension

64.24°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

70.39°

Period

100.53 min

Mean Motion

14.32 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

USA 81

Alternative Name

USA 81

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

NRO

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 21949U 92023A   26185.11018099  .00000187  00000-0  61985-4 0  9991
2 21949  85.0061  64.2394 0002418  70.3911 289.7542 14.32402762111451

Source: Celestrak

Summary
USA 81, also known by its OBJECT_ID 1992-023A, is a US satellite launched on April 25, 1992, from AFWTR SLC4W using the Titan II SLV launch vehicle. It has a BUS type of NRO-T2 and utilizes a mod. P-11 bus / C-BUS configuration. The satellite measures 0.5 meters in length with a diameter of 1 meter and a span of 10 meters, indicating potential solar arrays or antenna deployment. At launch, it had a mass of 1450 kg and a dry mass of 1200 kg. It is operated by the NRO for ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) and SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) purposes with its payload designated as P-11 No. 5105. Power is provided by solar arrays and batteries, and it has a cylindrical shape augmented by antennas (Cyl + Ant).
Physical Characteristics

Length

0.5

Diameter

1

Span

10

Dry Mass

1200

Launch Mass

1450

Shape

Cyl + Ant

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

P-11 No. 5105

Purpose

ELINT, SIGINT

Mission

ELINT, SIGINT

Manufacturer

LMSC

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

NRO-T2

Configuration

mod. P-11 bus / C-BUS

Motor

?

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Falcon Heavy Returns | A Six-Ton Bet on Geostationary Broadband

Falcon Heavy Returns | A Six-Ton Bet on Geostationary Broadband

Falcon Heavy flew for the first time in eighteen months on April 29, 2026, expending its center core to push Viasat's final ViaSat-3 satellite toward geostationary orbit. The mission is a flagship rocket doing what only it can still do, for an operator betting six tons of high-throughput hardware on a market Starlink is rapidly redefining.

Space Brief 24 Aug 2024

Space Brief 24 Aug 2024

Blue Origin prepares for New Shepard flight, SpaceX completes second launch tower, Supreme Court ruling impacts space debris regulations, and updates on lunar habitats and NASA personnel. Plus, featuring CAPELLA-13 (ACADIA) as our Satellite of the Day.

SpaceX Launches 1,500th Starlink of 2026, Space Brief 15 Jun 2026

SpaceX Launches 1,500th Starlink of 2026, Space Brief 15 Jun 2026

SpaceX launches its 1,500th Starlink satellite of 2026 as shares jump 19% on Nasdaq debut day. Musk targets $1 trillion in annual revenue by 2030.

Space Brief 23 Apr 2025

Space Brief 23 Apr 2025

Today's brief highlights the US Space Force's new space conflict doctrine, Ukraine's search for Starlink alternatives, and updates on regional military activities affecting space dynamics.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

The bustling downtown of space: where most satellites operate, communication networks bloom, and the challenges of atmospheric drag and radiation shape our approach to space operations

X Report 17 Nov 2025

X Report 17 Nov 2025

SpaceX successfully launched the Sentinel-6B satellite, marking a significant milestone as its 500th mission with a reused rocket, furthering global sea level monitoring efforts.

Space Force Reassigns GPS III to Falcon 9 After Vulcan Grounding | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force Reassigns GPS III to Falcon 9 After Vulcan Grounding | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force shifts GPS III satellite launch from ULA's Vulcan to SpaceX Falcon 9 due to persistent solid rocket booster issues. Critical navigation asset reassignment signals operational consequences.

PrSM Used in Combat for First Time & Space Force Demands More Troops | KeepTrack Space Brief

PrSM Used in Combat for First Time & Space Force Demands More Troops | KeepTrack Space Brief

CENTCOM confirms first-ever combat use of PrSM against Iranian targets. Space Force VP calls for aggressive end strength growth. Artemis II boosters on pad.