DSP-15 (USA-65)

Launch Success

Liftoff Time (GMT)

00:37:00

Tuesday November 13, 1990

Watch Replay

24/7 Coverage

Mission Details

DSP-15 (USA-65)

Wiki

The DSP Block-3 (or DSP-I) satellites represent the third generation of DSP early warning satellites, each costing approximately $180 million. These spacecraft utilize slow spinning (6 rpm) around the nadir axis to enable Earth scanning by the detector system, while zero momentum (three-axis) stabilization is achieved using a reaction wheel to counter the spacecraft spin. With four deployed solar panels, they generate roughly 1300 W of power. DSP satellites are radiation hardened and feature a classified payload, likely consisting of a telescope with a 6000-element IR array, nuclear explosion detectors, and particle detection monitors.

Geostationary Earth Orbit

1 Payload

2,386 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Titan IV(402)A

Active 1989 to 1994


Rocket

Height: 54m

Payload to Orbit

GTO: 4,944 kg

Liftoff Thrust

14,200 Kilonewtons

Fairing

Diameter: 5.1m

Stages

4

Strap-ons

2

Launch Site

SLC-41

Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Fastest Turnaround

15 days 22 hours

Stats

Titan IV


3rd

Mission

2nd

Mission of 1990

1990


100th

Orbital launch attempt