🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
POPPY 6 Alfa
Retired 1970POPPY 6 Alfa (NORAD 4259, COSPAR 1969-082D) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Oct 1970, launched on 30 Sep 1969 on the P-11 No. 4407 mission. It was operated by NRO / NRL as part of the POPPY programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the NRL MULTI bus, with a mass of 100 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1969
launched
1970
retired
57
years on orbit
100
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched30 Sep 1969 · on the P-11 No. 4407 mission
Operational1 Oct 1970 · entered service
Retired1 Oct 1970 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID4259
COSPAR1969-082D
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / NRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusNRL MULTI
Mass100 kg
ProgrammePOPPY
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude906 × 938 km
Inclination70.0°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to POPPY 6 Alfa?
POPPY 6 Alfa was retired from service around 1 Oct 1970 after launching in 1969. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built POPPY 6 Alfa?
POPPY 6 Alfa 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 2026-09-06.