Space Brief 16 Jan 2025
Explore today's pivotal news in space with highlights on record government space budgets, military satellite developments, and significant industry shifts.
SSU 3 (08884)
COSPAR: 1976-038J | Alt Name: SSU 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 30, 1976
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3W
Launch Vehicle
Atlas F/MSD
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
08884
International Designator
1976-038J
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:00:52 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
63.36°
Right Ascension
123.11°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
183.25°
Period
103.74 min
Mean Motion
13.88 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SSU 3
Alternative Name
SSU 2
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
NRO/NRL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 08884U 76038J 26185.25060890 .00000034 00000-0 69572-4 0 9994
2 08884 63.3583 123.1113 0369290 183.2549 176.6094 13.88054039364479
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.9
Diameter
0.4
Span
10
Dry Mass
200
Launch Mass
200
Shape
Box + Ant
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
PARCAE 1 SSU-2
Purpose
Ocean Surveillance, ELINT
Mission
Ocean Surveillance, ELINT
Manufacturer
Naval Research Laboratory
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
NOSS SSU
Configuration
Gravity gradient stabilized
Motor
?
Equipment
?
Power System
4 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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
First Nuclear-Powered Commercial Satellite Flies on Transporter-17 | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX's Transporter-17 rideshare carried 81 payloads including history's first nuclear-powered commercial satellite on July 7.
Space Brief 15 Feb 2025
Today's highlights include SpaceX's record-setting Starlink launch, Redwire's contract for USSF, and military satellite developments.
Europe's First Starlink Direct-to-Smartphone Service Goes Live | KeepTrack X Report
Virgin Media O2 launches Europe's first Starlink direct-to-smartphone service in the UK. SpaceX launches 29 more Starlink satellites. Dragon cargo capsule returns after 6-month ISS mission.
Space Brief 24 Oct 2024
Today's Space Brief highlights SpaceX Crew-8's return, Intelsat-33e satellite breakup, SpaceX's upcoming Starship tests, and notable launches including China's new mega-constellation.
The Day Space Station Crews Gained Their Window on the World
Fifteen years ago, Space Shuttle Endeavour launched on a mission that would give International Space Station astronauts their most spectacular view of Earth through the innovative Cupola observatory
Space Force Forecasts 25 Extra Heavy-Lift Missions Through 2029 | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force projects 25 additional high-energy missions in 2027–2029 window, straining capacity at Vulcan and Falcon Heavy. Capacity constraints will drive military-NASA prioritization debates.
The International Scientific Optical Network (ISON)
How a controversial telescope network has become a significant player in tracking the increasingly crowded orbital environment, raising important questions about transparency, dual-use technologies, and the future of space situational awareness.