🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
NRL PL176
Retired 1971NRL PL176 (NORAD 4256, COSPAR 1969-082B) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1971, launched on 30 Sep 1969 on the P-11 No. 4407 mission. It was operated by NRL as part of the NRL C programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the NRL 24"? bus, with a mass of 23 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1969
launched
1971
retired
57
years on orbit
23
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched30 Sep 1969 · on the P-11 No. 4407 mission
Operational1 Jan 1971 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1971 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID4256
COSPAR1969-082B
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusNRL 24"?
Mass23 kg
ProgrammeNRL C
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude905 × 938 km
Inclination70.0°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to NRL PL176?
NRL PL176 was retired from service around 1 Jan 1971 after launching in 1969. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built NRL PL176?
NRL PL176 was operated by NRL and built by NRL (US).
Launched together
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.