USA 118 (23855)

COSPAR: 1996-026A | Alt Name: USA 118
DECAYED

Image
USA 118 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

April 24, 1996

Launch Pad

LC41

Launch Vehicle

Titan 401A/Centaur

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

23855

International Designator

1996-026A

Decay Date

Unknown

Basic Satellite Info

Name

USA 118

Alternative Name

USA 118

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

NROC/AFSMC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
USA 118, also known by its catalog ID 23855 and OBJECT_ID 1996-026A, is a satellite manufactured by HSES for the US government. Launched on April 24, 1996, from Launch Complex 41 at AFETR (Cape Canaveral Air Force Station), it used a Titan 401A/Centaur launch vehicle. The satellite weighs 4500 kg and is equipped with a large dish antenna and 3-axis stabilization for precise orientation in space. It measures 10 meters in length, has a diameter of 4 meters, and a span of 100 meters. Its power system includes solar arrays and batteries. USA 118 is owned by NROC/AFSMC and its payload is MERCURY 15. The satellite's mission involves SIGINT (Signals Intelligence), COMINT (Communications Intelligence), and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence).
Physical Characteristics

Length

10

Diameter

4

Span

100

Dry Mass

4500

Launch Mass

4500

Shape

Box + Dish

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

MERCURY 15

Purpose

SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT

Mission

SIGINT, COMINT, ELINT

Manufacturer

HSES

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Adv Vortex

Configuration

Large Dish Antenna, 3-Axis-Stabilization

Motor

?

Equipment

?

Power System

Solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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