X Report 2 May 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 28 more Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, marking another milestone in its satellite constellation expansion.
USA 159 (DSP 21) (26880)
COSPAR: 2001-033A | Alt Name: DSP F21
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 6, 2001
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC40
Launch Vehicle
Titan 402B/IUS
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
26880
International Designator
2001-033A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:35:20 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
12.80°
Right Ascension
16.33°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
133.19°
Period
1451.60 min
Mean Motion
0.99 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 159 (DSP 21)
Alternative Name
DSP F21
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
AFSMC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 26880U 01033A 26185.19121010 -.00000006 00000-0 00000-0 0 9995
2 26880 12.7976 16.3255 0001957 133.1880 44.6937 0.99200799 33123
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The USA 159 (DSP 21), also known as DSP F21, is an Early Warning satellite operated by AFSMC and launched on August 6, 2001, from SLC40 at the Air Force Eastern Test Range using a Titan 402B/IUS launch vehicle. It was manufactured by TRW and has dimensions of 10 meters in length, 3.3 meters in diameter, and an 11.5-meter span. The satellite has a dry mass of 2,200 kg and a launch mass of 2,360 kg. Its power source consists of four deployable fixed solar arrays, solar cells, and batteries. The spacecraft is shaped as a cylinder with two pans and its mission is to provide early warning capabilities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
10
Diameter
3.3
Span
11.5
Dry Mass
2200
Launch Mass
2360
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
DSP 21
Purpose
Early Warning
Mission
Early Warning
Manufacturer
TRW
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
DSP B18
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
MRE-4
Equipment
?
Power System
4 deployable fixed solar arrays, solar cells, 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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