🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
Improved PARCAE 4 SSU-1
Retired 2010Improved PARCAE 4 SSU-1 (NORAD 23862, COSPAR 1996-029D) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 2010, launched on 12 May 1996 on the SLDCOM 4/INTRUDER 4 mission. It was operated by NROC / NRL as part of the NOSS2 programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the NOSS B SSU bus, with a mass of 400 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1996
launched
2010
retired
30
years on orbit
400
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched12 May 1996 · on the SLDCOM 4/INTRUDER 4 mission
Operational1 Jan 2010 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 2010 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID23862
COSPAR1996-029D
TypeSatellite
OperatorNROC / NRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusNOSS B SSU
Mass400 kg
ProgrammeNOSS2
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude1,051 × 1,165 km
Inclination63.4°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Improved PARCAE 4 SSU-1?
Improved PARCAE 4 SSU-1 was retired from service around 1 Jan 2010 after launching in 1996. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built Improved PARCAE 4 SSU-1?
Improved PARCAE 4 SSU-1 was operated by NROC / NRL and built by NRL (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.