🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
VORTEX 13
Historical recordVORTEX 13 (NORAD 19976, COSPAR 1989-035A) is a historical US catalogue entry no longer tracked in the live catalogue, launched on 10 May 1989 on the VORTEX 6 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.
1989
launched
37
years on orbit
1,000
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched10 May 1989 · on the VORTEX 6 mission
Specifications
NORAD ID19976
COSPAR1989-035A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusVortex
Mass1,000 kg (900 kg dry)
ProgrammeVORTEX
CategorySIG
OrbitGEO (GEO/NS)
Altitude31,000 × 41,000 km
Inclination10.0°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to VORTEX 13?
VORTEX 13 is a historical catalogue entry from a 1989 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 VORTEX 13?
VORTEX 13 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.