WSF 3 (24662)

COSPAR: 1996-065C | Alt Name: Wake Shield Facility

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

November 19, 1996

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

LC39B

Launch Vehicle

Space Shuttle

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

24662

International Designator

1996-065C

Decay Date

12/7/1996

Basic Satellite Info

Name

WSF 3

Alternative Name

Wake Shield Facility

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

SIIC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

The WSF 3, also known as the Wake Shield Facility, is an American satellite operated by SIIC and launched on November 19, 1996, from LC39B at AFETR using a Space Shuttle launch vehicle. It measures 1.8 meters in length with a diameter of 3.6 meters, and has a dry mass of 2109 kg. The satellite is disk-shaped and was designed for material research as a retrievable payload. Equipped with batteries for power, WSF 3 had a short operational lifetime of only two days from launch to stabilization on November 22, 1996.

Physical Characteristics

Length

1.8

Diameter

3.6

Span

3.6

Dry Mass

2109

Launch Mass

2109

Shape

Disk

Radar Cross Section

8.6063

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

WSF

Purpose

Material research, retrievable

Mission

Material research, retrievable

Manufacturer

SIIC

Life Expectancy

2 days

Bus

WSF

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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