USA 121 (23908)

COSPAR: 1996-029C | Alt Name: USA 121

Image
USA 121 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

May 12, 1996

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Titan 403A

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

23908

International Designator

1996-029C

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:29:35 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

63.32°

Right Ascension

147.22°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

49.73°

Period

106.96 min

Mean Motion

13.46 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

USA 121

Alternative Name

USA 121

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

NROC/NRL

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 23908U 96029C   26185.14554826  .00002852  00000-0  46221-3 0  9990
2 23908  63.3176 147.2171 0852258  49.7336 317.5103 13.46301840105652

Source: Celestrak

Summary
The satellite USA 121, also known as 1996-029C, is a NOSS B SSU (Navy Ocean Surveillance Satellite) launched on May 12, 1996, from AFWTR SLC4E using the Titan 403A launch vehicle. It has dimensions of 1 meter in length and diameter with a span of 10 meters. The satellite's dry mass is 400 kilograms, which matches its launch mass. Its mission involves ocean surveillance and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence), featuring an Improved PARCAE 4 SSU-3 payload. Manufactured by NRL (Naval Research Laboratory) for NROC/NRL ownership, it was designed with a box plus antenna shape but lacks specified details on power systems or major events post-launch.
Physical Characteristics

Length

1

Diameter

1

Span

10

Dry Mass

400

Launch Mass

400

Shape

Box + Ant

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Improved PARCAE 4 SSU-3

Purpose

Ocean Surveillance, ELINT

Mission

Ocean Surveillance, ELINT

Manufacturer

Naval Research Laboratory

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

NOSS B SSU

Configuration

?

Motor

?

Equipment

?

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
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