USA 101 (23030)

COSPAR: 1994-017A | Alt Name: STEP M0
DECAYED

Image
USA 101 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

March 13, 1994

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

576E

Launch Vehicle

ARPA Taurus

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

23030

International Designator

1994-017A

Decay Date

Unknown

Basic Satellite Info

Name

USA 101

Alternative Name

STEP M0

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

AFSMC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
USA 101 (also known as STEP M0) is an experimental satellite launched on March 13, 1994, from AFWTR using the ARPA Taurus launch vehicle from pad 576E. The spacecraft measures 2 meters in length and has a diameter of 1 meter with a span of 5 meters. It weighs approximately 502 kilograms at launch and 200 kilograms dry mass. Equipped with 10 TAOS experiments, the satellite is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The LEOStar T-200 bus configuration features an octagonal cylindrical shape plus two panels. The USA 101 was manufactured by TRWC/CTA for AFSMC and its propulsion system includes two 147 kN thrusters and four 4.45 kN thrusters.
Physical Characteristics

Length

2

Diameter

1

Span

5

Dry Mass

200

Launch Mass

502

Shape

Oct Cyl + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

STP P90-5

Purpose

Experimental

Mission

Experimental

Manufacturer

TRWC/CTA

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

LEOStar T-200

Configuration

LEOStar

Motor

2 x 147 kN thrusters + 4 x 4.45 kN thrusters

Equipment

10 TAOS experiments

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Falcon 9 Completes GPS III Constellation for Space Force | KeepTrack X Report

Falcon 9 Completes GPS III Constellation for Space Force | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX's Falcon 9 delivered GPS III SV-10 at 0653 UTC, capping Lockheed Martin's 10-satellite series as SpaceX eyes a $60B AI coding acquisition pre-IPO.

SpaceX Absorbs xAI in History's Largest Private Merger | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX Absorbs xAI in History's Largest Private Merger | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX officially merged with Elon Musk's xAI under the SpaceXAI brand, while a Falcon 9 lofted 81 rideshare payloads from Vandenberg on July 7.

Starship V3 Debut Slips as Booster 19 Rolls to Pad 2 | KeepTrack X Report

Starship V3 Debut Slips as Booster 19 Rolls to Pad 2 | KeepTrack X Report

Starship V3's maiden flight is delayed as SpaceX rolls Booster 19 to Pad 2 for Flight 9, while Falcon 9 completes its 30th mission of 2026.

Space Brief 20 Jan 2025

Space Brief 20 Jan 2025

Today's Space Brief highlights SpaceX's return to Starlink launches, a call to address space debris, and changes in NASA leadership under the new Trump administration.

Pentagon Orders 30,000 One-Way Drones; Sierra Space Raises $550M | KeepTrack Space Brief

Pentagon Orders 30,000 One-Way Drones; Sierra Space Raises $550M | KeepTrack Space Brief

Pentagon to order 30,000 attritable drones within days via Gauntlet competition. Meanwhile, Sierra Space closes $550M Series C funding round for national security spaceplane applications.

FCC Approves 7,500 More Starlink Satellites, SpaceX Wins $739M Launch Contract | KeepTrack X Report

FCC Approves 7,500 More Starlink Satellites, SpaceX Wins $739M Launch Contract | KeepTrack X Report

FCC approves 7,500 additional Starlink Gen2 satellites. Space Force awards SpaceX $739M for nine national security launches. NASA plans Crew-11 medical evacuation from ISS on January 14.

X Report 11 May 2025

X Report 11 May 2025

SpaceX successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites from Florida, marking a significant milestone in their deployment strategy. This follows the recent launch of 26 satellites from California, highlighting ongoing expansion efforts.

Space Brief 19 Apr 2025

Space Brief 19 Apr 2025

Today's brief covers SpaceX's potential government contract, the future of US Space Command headquarters, an auction record for Neil Armstrong's watch, and the volcanic history of Mars.