🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
RHYOLITE 1
Retired 1978RHYOLITE 1 (NORAD 4418, COSPAR 1970-046A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1978, launched on 19 Jun 1970 on the RHYOLITE 1 mission. It was operated by NRO / CIA as part of the RHYOLITE programme. The spacecraft was built by TRW on the RHYOLITE bus, with a mass of 700 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1970
launched
1978
retired
56
years on orbit
700
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched19 Jun 1970 · on the RHYOLITE 1 mission
Operational1 Jan 1978 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1978 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID4418
COSPAR1970-046A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / CIA
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerTRW
BusRHYOLITE
Mass700 kg (300 kg dry)
ProgrammeRHYOLITE
CategorySIG
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,700 × 35,850 km
Frequently asked questions
What happened to RHYOLITE 1?
RHYOLITE 1 was retired from service around 1 Jan 1978 after launching in 1970. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built RHYOLITE 1?
RHYOLITE 1 was operated by NRO / CIA and built by TRW (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.