MSD 6 & NOSS 6A to 6C

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

23:23:00

Thursday June 9, 1983

Mission Details

MSD 6

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 6A to 6C

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.

3 Payloads

Rocket

Retired
Atlas-H MSD

Active 1983 to 1987


Stages

2

Launch Site

SLC-3E

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

32 days 16 hours

Stats

Atlas-MSD


6th

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1983

1983


57th

Orbital launch attempt