The improved Parcae satellites (also known by the unofficial designation NOSS-2 (Naval Ocean Surveillance System)) is the second generation of NOSS satellites.
These satellites carry ELINT equipment to pinpoint and track ships and aircraft via their radio transmissions. Positions of the origin of the transmissions are determined by triangulation. Each launch consists of three satellites of similar size in the same orbit. All three satellites maneuver to stationkeep relative to one another.
In contrast to the earlier Parcae (NOSS), the satellites are much more massive, indicated by the large Titan-4A launch vehicle. The improved Parcae series added the capability to collect against and recognize selected foreign communications systems.
The satellites were deployed by the TLD (Titan Launch Dispenser) propulsion module, which also had a secondary communications mission called SLDCOM.
Nation: | USA |
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Type / Application: | Ocean Surveillance, ELINT |
Operator: | NRO, US Navy |
Contractors: | Lockheed, Martin Marietta |
Equipment: | ? |
Configuration: | ? |
Propulsion: | ? |
Power: | |
Lifetime: | |
Mass: | |
Orbit: |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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Parcae 10A (NOSS-2 1A, Mission 7117A, USA 60) | 1990-050B | 08.06.1990 | CC LC-41 | Titan-4(05)A | with SLDCOM 1, Parcae 10B, Parcae 10C | |
Parcae 10B (NOSS-2 1B, Mission 7117B, USA 61) | 1990-050C | 08.06.1990 | CC LC-41 | Titan-4(05)A | with SLDCOM 1, Parcae 10A, Parcae 10C | |
Parcae 10C (NOSS-2 1C, Mission 7117C, USA 62) | 1990-050D | 08.06.1990 | CC LC-41 | Titan-4(05)A | with SLDCOM 1, Parcae 10A, Parcae 10B | |
Parcae 11A (NOSS-2 2A, Mission 7118A, USA 74) | 1991-076C | 08.11.1991 | Va SLC-4E | Titan-4(03)A | with SLDCOM 2, Parcae 11B, Parcae 11C | |
Parcae 11B (NOSS-2 2B, Mission 7118B, USA 76) | 1991-076D | 08.11.1991 | Va SLC-4E | Titan-4(03)A | with SLDCOM 2, Parcae 11A, Parcae 11C | |
Parcae 11C (NOSS-2 2C, Mission 7118C, USA 77) | 1991-076E | 08.11.1991 | Va SLC-4E | Titan-4(03)A | with SLDCOM 2, Parcae 11A, Parcae 11B | |
Parcae 12A (NOSS-2 3A, Mission 7119A) | 1993-F02 | 02.08.1993 | Va SLC-4E | F | Titan-4(03)A | with SLDCOM 3, Parcae 12B, Parcae 12C |
Parcae 12B (NOSS-2 3B, Mission 7119B) | 1993-F02 | 02.08.1993 | Va SLC-4E | F | Titan-4(03)A | with SLDCOM 3, Parcae 12A, Parcae 12C |
Parcae 12C (NOSS-2 3C, Mission 7119C) | 1993-F02 | 02.08.1993 | Va SLC-4E | F | Titan-4(03)A | with SLDCOM 3, Parcae 12A, Parcae 12B |
Parcae 13A (NOSS-2 4A, Mission 7120A, USA 119) | 1996-029A | 12.05.1996 | Va SLC-4E | Titan-4(03)A | with SLDCOM 4, Parcae 13B, Parcae 13C, TiPS 1a, TiPS 1b | |
Parcae 13B (NOSS-2 4B, Mission 7120B, USA 120) | 1996-029B | 12.05.1996 | Va SLC-4E | Titan-4(03)A | with SLDCOM 4, Parcae 13A, Parcae 13C, TiPS 1a, TiPS 1b | |
Parcae 13C (NOSS-2 4C, Mission 7120C, USA 121) | 1996-029C | 12.05.1996 | Va SLC-4E | Titan-4(03)A | with SLDCOM 4, Parcae 13A, Parcae 13B, TiPS 1a, TiPS 1b |