🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
CHALET 8
Retired 1988CHALET 8 (NORAD 10941, COSPAR 1978-058A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1988, launched on 10 Jun 1978 on the CHALET 1 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the VORTEX programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the Vortex bus, with a mass of 1,000 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1978
launched
1988
retired
48
years on orbit
1,000
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched10 Jun 1978 · on the CHALET 1 mission
Operational1 Jan 1988 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1988 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID10941
COSPAR1978-058A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusVortex
Mass1,000 kg (900 kg dry)
ProgrammeVORTEX
CategorySIG
OrbitGEO (GEO/NS)
Altitude29,929 × 42,039 km
Inclination12.0°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to CHALET 8?
CHALET 8 was retired from service around 1 Jan 1988 after launching in 1978. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built CHALET 8?
CHALET 8 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by TRW (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.