🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
CANYON 5
Retired 1980CANYON 5 (NORAD 6317, COSPAR 1972-101A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1980, launched on 20 Dec 1972 on the CANYON 5 mission. It was operated by NRO / SAFSP as part of the CANYON programme. The spacecraft was built by LMSC? on the CANYON Block 2 bus, with a mass of 350 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1972
launched
1980
retired
54
years on orbit
350
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched20 Dec 1972 · on the CANYON 5 mission
Operational1 Jan 1980 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1980 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID6317
COSPAR1972-101A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / SAFSP
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerLMSC?
BusCANYON Block 2
Mass350 kg
ProgrammeCANYON
CategorySIG
OrbitGEO (GEO/NS)
Altitude31,012 × 40,728 km
Inclination9.7°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to CANYON 5?
CANYON 5 was retired from service around 1 Jan 1980 after launching in 1972. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built CANYON 5?
CANYON 5 was operated by NRO / SAFSP and built by LMSC? (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.