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USA 124 (23937)
COSPAR: 1996-029F | Alt Name: USA 124
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 12, 1996
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC4E
Launch Vehicle
Titan 403A
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
23937
International Designator
1996-029F
Epoch
Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:55:58 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
63.24°
Right Ascension
215.53°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
72.63°
Period
87.50 min
Mean Motion
16.46 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
USA 124
Alternative Name
USA 124
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
NROC/NRL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 23937U 96029F 26111.74721026 .10528996 88026-5 20546-3 0 9999
2 23937 63.2433 215.5308 0016000 72.6256 287.6665 16.45774166106369
Source: Celestrak
Summary
USA 124, also known as TIPS (Tether Physics and Survivability), is an American satellite designed for tether technology testing launched on May 12, 1996, from the Air Force Eastern Test Range using a Titan 403A launch vehicle. The spacecraft consists of two end bodies connected by a 4 km tether and measures 0.2 meters in length and 0.7 meters in diameter. It has a dry mass of 16 kilograms, powered by batteries. Manufactured by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), it was owned jointly by NROC/NRL with the mission to explore tether technology. The launch site was SLC4E, and the satellite became stable on June 20, 1996.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.2
Diameter
0.7
Span
4000
Dry Mass
16
Launch Mass
16
Shape
Box + Tether
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
TIPS Norton/TIPS Tether
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
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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