UFO 3 (USA 104) (23132)

COSPAR: 1994-035A | Alt Name: UHF F/O F3

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

June 24, 1994

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

LC36B

Launch Vehicle

Atlas I

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

23132

International Designator

1994-035A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:17:18 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

12.38°

Right Ascension

5.61°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

267.27°

Period

1436.12 min

Mean Motion

1.00 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot

3D Visualization

Basic Satellite Info

Name

UFO 3 (USA 104)

Alternative Name

UHF F/O F3

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

HCI

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 23132U 94035A   26185.22035067 -.00000095  00000-0  00000-0 0  9994

2 23132  12.3750   5.6052 0001371 267.2677  78.7274  1.00269962131867

Source: Celestrak

Summary

UFO 3 (USA 104), also known as UHF F/O F3, is a communication satellite built by HSES and operated by HCI for the US government. Launched on June 24, 1994, from Launch Complex 36B at AFETR using an Atlas I launch vehicle, it has a bus configuration of HS-601 with dimensions including a length of 4 meters, diameter of 3 meters, and span of 18.3 meters. The satellite's dry mass is 1000 kg, and its launch mass was 2840 kg. Equipped with UHF and SHF transponders, it uses two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply. Its mission involves communication services and it has a lifetime of 14 years. The satellite's shape is described as box-like with two panels, and its reflective cross-sectional area (RCS) is 12.6191 square meters.

Physical Characteristics

Length

Diameter

Span

18.3

Dry Mass

1000

Launch Mass

2840

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

12.6191

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

UFO F3

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

HSES

Life Expectancy

14 years

Bus

HS-601

Configuration

HS-601

Motor

R-4D-11-300

Equipment

UHF, SHF transponders

Power System

2 deployable 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.

Latitude

Longitude

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.

Space Brief 24 Mar 2025

Historic launches mark a transformative week in aerospace, with major milestones achieved by Isar Aerospace, SpaceX, and Botswana's entry into space. Significant advancements in reusability and European capabilities highlight key developments.

Space Brief 25 Oct 2024

Today's highlights include Crew-8's return amid weather delays, new space tourism announcements by Deep Blue Aerospace, and Europe's efforts to combat space debris. Plus, another successful SpaceX launch and the ESA backed Zero Debris Charter gains international traction.

X Report 2 Apr 2025

SpaceX's Fram2 mission marks a historic first in polar orbit travel, while DARPA unexpectedly detects Falcon 9 reentry using atmospheric listening.

X Report 18 Dec 2025

SpaceX carried out a double-header Starlink launch from both coasts while milestones from Max Space and Lux Aeterna signal growth in the commercial space sector.

The Day Fiery Failure Launched NASA

Sixty-eight years ago, America's first satellite exploded on the launchpad in front of the entire world. But from the ashes of Vanguard TV-3 came the determination that would eventually win the Space Race.

X Report 27 Nov 2025

SpaceX's plans for the Transporter-15 mission are temporarily delayed as the Falcon 9 launch was scrubbed. The next launch attempt is now targeted for Friday, Nov. 28, with hopes of delivering 140 payloads into sun-synchronous orbit.

STS-30 | When Atlantis Sent a Radar to Venus

On May 4, 1989, Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off from LC-39B carrying Magellan, NASA's first interplanetary mission since 1978. The eleven-year drought ended in a payload bay, and the radar that emerged would map ninety-eight percent of Venus through clouds that no camera could ever see through.

X Report 16 Jun 2025

SpaceX progresses with plans for Starship launches from a ULA site while continuing its Starlink expansion. New satellite tracking update enhances user engagement.