🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
MISTY 1
Retired 1995MISTY 1 (NORAD 20516, COSPAR 1990-019B) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1995, launched on 28 Feb 1990 on the OV-104 LEO deploy mission.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 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 MISTY 1?
MISTY 1 was retired from service around 1 Jan 1995 after launching in 1990. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built MISTY 1?
MISTY 1 was operated by NRO and built by LMSC (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.