NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

DSP-18 (USA-130)

Launch Time
Sun Feb 23, 1997 20:20 UTC

Rocket

Titan IV(402)B
Lockheed
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 15,000 kN
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 2
Rocket Height: 54.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 5.1 m

Mission Details

DSP-18 (USA-130)

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.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 2,386.0 kg
Geostationary Earth Orbit

Location

SLC-40, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Stats

1997

9th orbital launch attempt

Titan IV

20th mission
1st mission of 1997
19th successful mission
13th consecutive successful mission