🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
West Ford
Retired 1961West Ford (NORAD 194, COSPAR 1961 A DEL 3) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 21 Oct 1961, launched on 21 Oct 1961. It was operated by AFSSD as part of the Westford programme. The spacecraft was built by MITLL on the Westford bus, with a mass of 30 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1961
launched
1961
retired
65
years on orbit
30
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched21 Oct 1961
Operational21 Oct 1961 · entered service
Retired21 Oct 1961 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID194
COSPAR1961 A DEL 3
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFSSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMITLL
BusWestford
Mass30 kg
ProgrammeWestford
CategoryCOM
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude3,503 × 3,715 km
Inclination95.9°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to West Ford?
West Ford was retired from service around 21 Oct 1961 after launching in 1961. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built West Ford?
West Ford was operated by AFSSD and built by MITLL (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.