USA 123 (23936)

COSPAR: 1996-029E | Alt Name: USA 123

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

May 12, 1996

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Titan 403A

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

23936

International Designator

1996-029E

Decay Date

Unknown

Basic Satellite Info

Name

USA 123

Alternative Name

USA 123

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

NROC/NRL

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

The USA 123 satellite, also known as TIPS (Tether Physics and Survivability), was launched by the National Reconnaissance Office and Naval Research Laboratory on May 12, 1996, from AFWTR SLC4E using a Titan 403A launch vehicle. It consists of two end bodies connected by a 4 km tether for conducting tether technology experiments in space. The satellite measures 0.2 meters in length and 0.7 meters in diameter with a dry mass of 38 kg. Its power supply is batteries, and it has no motor or propulsion system. The shape of the spacecraft is box-like, and its mission was to study tether technology, remaining stable from June 20, 1996.

Physical Characteristics

Length

0.2

Diameter

0.7

Span

0.7

Dry Mass

Launch Mass

Shape

Box

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

TIPS Ralph

Purpose

Tether technology

Mission

Tether technology

Manufacturer

Naval Research Laboratory

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

TIPS

Configuration

2 end bodies connected by a 4 km tether

Motor

None

Equipment

Power System

Batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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