🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
NNS O-20
Retired 1995NNS O-20 (NORAD 6909, COSPAR 1973-081A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 31 Jan 1995, launched on 30 Oct 1973 on the NNS O-20 mission. It was operated by NAVAIR as part of the NNS R programme. The spacecraft was built by RCA on the Transit 5 bus, with a mass of 64 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1973
launched
1995
retired
53
years on orbit
64
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched30 Oct 1973 · on the NNS O-20 mission
Operational31 Jan 1995 · entered service
Retired31 Jan 1995 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID6909
COSPAR1973-081A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNAVAIR
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerRCA
BusTransit 5
Mass64 kg
ProgrammeNNS R
CategoryNAV
OrbitLEO (LEO/P)
Altitude897 × 1,144 km
Inclination90.2°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to NNS O-20?
NNS O-20 was retired from service around 31 Jan 1995 after launching in 1973. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built NNS O-20?
NNS O-20 was operated by NAVAIR and built by RCA (US).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.