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USA 169 (MILSTAR-2 4) (27711)
COSPAR: 2003-012A | Alt Name: Milstar 6
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 8, 2003
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC40
Launch Vehicle
Titan 401B/Centaur
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
27711
International Designator
2003-012A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:05:55 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
12.37°
Right Ascension
29.70°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
10.03°
Period
1436.11 min
Mean Motion
1.00 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 169 (MILSTAR-2 4)
Alternative Name
Milstar 6
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
AFSMC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 27711U 03012A 26184.92078370 -.00000229 00000-0 00000-0 0 9995
2 27711 12.3732 29.7008 0100106 10.0266 5.8389 1.00271067 33123
Source: Celestrak
Summary
USA 169 (MILSTAR-2 4), also known as Milstar 6, is a military communications satellite operated by the AFSMC. It was launched on April 8, 2003, from the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) SLC40 using a Titan 401B/Centaur launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 15.5 meters in length and 5 meters in diameter with a span of 35 meters. It carries the Milstar DFS-6 payload, consisting of LDR, MDR, and Crosslink payloads. With a dry mass of 4200 kg and launch mass of 4500 kg, it was manufactured by LMMS and is equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power generation. The satellite’s mission involves providing secure military communications and has an expected lifetime of ten years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
15.5
Diameter
5
Span
35
Dry Mass
4200
Launch Mass
4500
Shape
Truss + Ant
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Milstar DFS-6
Purpose
Comsat
Mission
Comsat
Manufacturer
LMMS
Life Expectancy
10 years
Bus
Milstar
Configuration
Milstar Bus
Motor
AOCS
Equipment
LDR, MDR and Crosslink payloads
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, 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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