ELINT home
topic index
Program: ELINT. Objective: ELINT. Overview: Various US electronic intelligence satellites, most of them from the Naval Research Laboratory, were orbited in the 1960's and still remain classified.
Major Events:

  • 1962 December 13 - Black Sphere.  Spacecraft: NRL ELINT. Mass: 23 kg (50 lb). Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Delta.

    Identified by McDowell as probable NRL ELINT satellite.

  • 1962 December 13 - Calsphere 1A.  Spacecraft: NRL ELINT. Mass: 23 kg (50 lb). Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Delta.

    Identified by McDowell as probable NRL ELINT satellite.

  • 1963 June 15 - USN satellite.  Spacecraft: NRL ELINT. Mass: 35 kg (77 lb). Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Delta.

    Identified by McDowell as probable NRL ELINT satellite.

  • 1964 January 11 - Agena D 2354.  Spacecraft: Ferret. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Delta.

    Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • 1964 January 11 - Unidentified.  Spacecraft: NRL ELINT. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Delta.

    Identified by McDowell as probable NRL ELINT satellite.

  • 1964 December 21 - OPS 3762/Agena D 2355.  Spacecraft: Ferret. Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Delta.

    Unknown mission. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • 1965 March 9 - Solrad 6B.  Spacecraft: NRL ELINT. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Delta.

    Identified by McDowell as probable NRL ELINT satellite.

  • 1969 September 30 - Surcal.  Spacecraft: NRL ELINT. Mass: 40 kg (88 lb). Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Vehicle: Delta.

    Identified by McDowell as probable NRL ELINT satellite.

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© Mark Wade, 1997 - 2008 except where otherwise noted.