🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
West Ford Telemetry Package
Retired 1963West Ford Telemetry Package (NORAD 3121, COSPAR 1963-030F) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 5 Dec 1963, launched on 19 Jul 1963 on the Midas ETS-III F4 mission. It was operated by AFSSD as part of the Westford TP programme. The spacecraft was built by MITLL, with a mass of 8 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1963
launched
1963
retired
63
years on orbit
8
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched19 Jul 1963 · on the Midas ETS-III F4 mission
Operational5 Dec 1963 · entered service
Retired5 Dec 1963 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID3121
COSPAR1963-030F
TypeSatellite
OperatorAFSSD
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerMITLL
Mass8 kg
ProgrammeWestford TP
CategoryTECH
OrbitMEO (MEO)
Altitude3,665 × 3,736 km
Inclination88.4°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to West Ford Telemetry Package?
West Ford Telemetry Package was retired from service around 5 Dec 1963 after launching in 1963. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built West Ford Telemetry Package?
West Ford Telemetry Package was operated by AFSSD and built by MITLL (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.