2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
  1. Home
  2. Spacecraft
  3. Parcae 13A
// signals intelligence · 1996

Parcae 13A

American military ocean surveillance and SIGINT satellite. Parcae 13A was launched on May 12, 1996 aboard a Titan 403A from Vandenberg. Latest status in GCAT: in orbit.

COSPAR 1996-029DNORAD 23862United States

Identity

Name in GCAT
USA 119
Common name
Parcae 13A
Payload designation
Improved PARCAE 4 SSU-1
Other names
NRO Mission 7120
International designator
1996-029D
NORAD catalog number
23862
GCAT identifier
S23862
UN registration
ST/SG/SER.E/319

Mission

Mission type
Signals intelligence
Use
Defense
Program
NOSS2
Owner
NRO
Country
United States
Builder
Naval Research Lab
Platform (bus)
NOSS B SSU

Launch

Date
May 12, 1996 · 21:32 UTC
Launch record
1996-029Success
Spaceport
Vandenberg · pad SLC4E

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT)
LEO/I
Perigee
1,051 km
Apogee
1,165 km
Inclination
63.41°
Status
In orbit
Last known active
2010
End of operations
2010

Size

Mass
400 kg
Dry mass
400 kg
Length
1.0 m
Diameter
1.00 m
Span
10.0 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q136089415 (CC0).