// technology · 1996

TiPS 1a

American research satellite, and half of a space tether experiment. TiPS 1a was launched on May 12, 1996 aboard a Titan 403A from Vandenberg. Latest status in GCAT: reentered (orbital decay) (2026).

COSPAR 1996-029ENORAD 23936United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: USA 123
Common name: TiPS 1a
Payload designation: TIPS Ralph
International designator: 1996-029E
NORAD catalog number: 23936
GCAT identifier: S23936
UN registration: ST/SG/SER.E/319

Mission

Mission type: Technology
Use: Defense
Program: TIPS
Owner: NRO
Country: United States
Builder: Naval Research Lab
Platform (bus): TIPS

Launch

Date: May 12, 1996 · 21:32 UTC
Launch record: 1996-029Success
Rocket: Titan 403A
Spaceport: Vandenberg · pad SLC4E

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LEO/I
Perigee: 1,055 km
Apogee: 1,160 km
Inclination: 63.42°
Status: Reentered (orbital decay)
Status date: 2026
Last known active: Jun 20, 1996
End of operations: Jun 20, 1996

Size

Mass: 38 kg
Dry mass: 38 kg
Length: 0.2 m
Diameter: 0.70 m
Span: 0.7 m

Launched together

Parcae 13ASignals intelligence · NRO SLDCOM 4Signals intelligence · NRO Parcae 13BSignals intelligence · NRO Parcae 13CSignals intelligence · NRO TiPS 1bTechnology · NRO

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q111498910 (CC0).