MSD 1 & NOSS 1A to 1C

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

19:12:00

Friday April 30, 1976

Mission Details

MSD 1

Wiki

MSD (Multiple Satellite Dispenser) were dispensers for the Parcae (NOSS) satellite triplets. These satellites were developed by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL). Each launch on top of an modified Atlas-E/F rocket consisted of the MSD mother satellite, which also acted as an upper stage for the stack using an integrated FW-4D solid rocket motor. In orbit, three NOSS satellites were separated and flew together in a triangle formation.

1 Payload

NOSS 1A to 1C

Wiki

NOSS (Naval Ocean Surveillance Satellites), which were also referred to by the code names White Cloud and Parcae, are constellations of passive ELINT satellites, which pinpoint the location of ships by triangulation of their Radar emissions. The first two sets of satellites were manufactured by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), then the production of the satellites had been turned over to Martin Marietta under the direction of USAF’s Space and Missile Systems Organization, with technical assistance provided by the Naval Research Laboratory. The follow-on system used the larger NOSS-2 satellite triplets.

1 Payload

Rocket

Retired
Atlas-E/F MSD

Active 1976 to 1980


Payload to Orbit

LEO: 800 kg

Stages

2

Launch Site

SLC-3W

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

17 days 21 hours

Stats

Atlas-MSD


1st

Mission

1st

Mission of 1976

1976


39th

Orbital launch attempt