🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
POPPY 4 Alfa
Historical recordPOPPY 4 Alfa (NORAD 1291, COSPAR 1965-016D) is a historical US catalogue entry no longer tracked in the live catalogue, launched on 9 Mar 1965 on the Secor Type II S/N 1 mission. It was operated by NRO / NRL as part of the POPPY programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the NRL 24" bus, with a mass of 47 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1965
launched
61
years on orbit
47
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched9 Mar 1965 · on the Secor Type II S/N 1 mission
Operational1 Jul 1969 · entered service
Specifications
NORAD ID1291
COSPAR1965-016D
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / NRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusNRL 24"
Mass47 kg
ProgrammePOPPY
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude909 × 938 km
Inclination70.1°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to POPPY 4 Alfa?
POPPY 4 Alfa is a historical catalogue entry from a 1965 launch. It is not currently tracked in the live catalogue — typically meaning it has decayed, been retired, or its tracking elements have lapsed.
Who operated and built POPPY 4 Alfa?
POPPY 4 Alfa was operated by NRO / NRL and built by NRL (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.