🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
West Ford 2 Dispenser
Retired 1962West Ford 2 Dispenser (NORAD 18603, COSPAR 1962 KAP 7) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 9 May 1962, launched on 9 Apr 1962 on the Midas ETS-II F3 mission. It is catalogued as West Ford Drag dispenser. It was operated by USAF SSD as part of the Westford programme. The spacecraft was built by MITLL on the Westford Drag bus, with a mass of 1 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1962
launched
1962
retired
64
years on orbit
1
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched9 Apr 1962 · on the Midas ETS-II F3 mission
Operational9 May 1962 · entered service
Retired9 May 1962 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID18603
COSPAR1962 KAP 7
TypeSatellite
OperatorUSAF SSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMITLL
BusWestford Drag
Mass1 kg
ProgrammeWestford
CategoryCOM
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude2,782 × 3,420 km
Inclination86.7°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to West Ford 2 Dispenser?
West Ford 2 Dispenser was retired from service around 9 May 1962 after launching in 1962. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built West Ford 2 Dispenser?
West Ford 2 Dispenser was operated by USAF SSD and built by MITLL (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-10-21.