Status
Success
DSP-18 (USA-130)
Launch Time
Sun Feb 23, 1997 20:20 UTC
Sun Feb 23, 1997 20:20 UTC
Rocket
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