🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
USA 59
Retired 2000USA 59 (NORAD 20641, COSPAR 1990-050A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 2000, launched on 8 Jun 1990 on the SLDCOM 1/INTRUDER 1 mission. It is catalogued as SLDCOM 1. It was operated by NRO / NRL as part of the SLDCOM programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the NOSS B bus, with a mass of 3,000 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1990
launched
2000
retired
36
years on orbit
3,000
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched8 Jun 1990 · on the SLDCOM 1/INTRUDER 1 mission
Operational1 Jan 2000 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2000 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID20641
COSPAR1990-050A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / NRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusNOSS B
Mass3,000 kg
ProgrammeSLDCOM
CategorySIG
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude1,239 × 11,517 km
Inclination63.4°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to USA 59?
USA 59 was retired from service around 1 Jan 2000 after launching in 1990. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built USA 59?
USA 59 was operated by NRO / NRL and built by NRL (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-18.