🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
USA 53
Retired 1995USA 53 (NORAD 20516, COSPAR 1990-019B) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1995, launched on 28 Feb 1990 on the OV-104 LEO deploy mission. It is catalogued as MISTY 1. It was operated by NRO as part of the AFP-731 programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC on the IC bus, with a mass of 16,900 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1990
launched
1995
retired
36
years on orbit
16,900
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched28 Feb 1990 · on the OV-104 LEO deploy mission
Operational1 Jan 1995 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1995 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID20516
COSPAR1990-019B
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC
BusIC
Mass16,900 kg (12,000 kg dry)
ProgrammeAFP-731
CategoryIMG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude800 × 808 km
Inclination65.0°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to USA 53?
USA 53 was retired from service around 1 Jan 1995 after launching in 1990. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built USA 53?
USA 53 was operated by NRO and built by LMSC (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-10-21.