The Day America Gained New Eyes on Mars
Fifty-six years ago, a revolutionary spacecraft launched toward the Red Planet after being saved from disaster by two quick-thinking technicians who risked their lives to prevent a rocket collapse
NPS-SCAT (39389)
COSPAR: 2013-064K | Alt Name: NPS-SCAT
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 20, 2013
Launch Site
WLPIS
Launch Pad
Pad 0B
Launch Vehicle
Minotaur I
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
39389
International Designator
2013-064K
Decay Date
10/28/2015
Basic Satellite Info
Name
NPS-SCAT
Alternative Name
NPS-SCAT
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
USNPS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
NPS-SCAT is a CubeSat (1U) technology satellite built by USNPS and owned by USNPS. It was launched on November 20, 2013, from the Wallops Flight Facility Launch Pad 0B using a Minotaur I launch vehicle. The satellite has dimensions of 0.1 meters in length, diameter, and span with a dry mass of 1 kilogram and launch mass also at 1 kilogram. It is powered by solar cells and batteries and operates in space for technology-related missions. The shape of the satellite is box-shaped with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.06 square meters.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.1
Diameter
0.1
Span
0.1
Dry Mass
1
Launch Mass
1
Shape
Box
Radar Cross Section
0.06
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
NPS-SCAT
Purpose
Technology
Mission
Technology
Manufacturer
USNPS
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Cubesat 1U
Configuration
CubeSat (1U)
Motor
None
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Brief 8 Jun 2025
A busy day in space as delays hit Boeing's Starliner launch, SpaceX continues its rapid launch cadence, new concerns arise with the discovery of bacteria on the Tiangong space station, and the European Space Agency supports a pivotal Moon mission.
Space Brief 20 Nov 2025
Today's briefing covers a DARPA award for Redwire's innovative satellite project, Ursa Major's expansion in defense engines, a Rocket Lab military test flight, and more.
X Report 24 Aug 2025
SpaceX successfully launched its CRS-33 Dragon cargo mission to the ISS, while preparations for the upcoming Starship Flight 10 continue, highlighting significant advancements in both cargo operations and test flight reliability.
Starlink Satellite Count Hits 10,168, X Report 5 Apr 2026
Starlink satellite count for April 2026: 10,177 in orbit, 10,168 working from 11,724 launched. No new anomalies, four reentries expected Apr 5-7.
Space Brief 10 Sep 2025
Today's highlights include China's launch of a mystery spysat, Maxar's terrain data for U.S. Army systems, and multiple U.S. defense firms enhancing satellite capabilities.
The Satellite That Found 22 Photons and Changed Astronomy
On April 27, 1961, a Scout rocket lifted a 37-kilogram NASA satellite into orbit from Wallops Island carrying the first serious instrument for detecting cosmic gamma rays. Explorer 11 operated for seven months before its tape recorder failed. In that time it registered 22 gamma-ray photons - a pitiful number by modern standards, but enough to launch an entire branch of astronomy.
Starship V3 Flight 12 Four Weeks Out, X Report 11 Mar 2026
Starship V3 timeline: Musk puts Flight 12 about 4 weeks out, early to mid April 2026. SpaceX also hit 30 missions of 2026 with the 15,000-lb EchoStar 25.