🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
CTS
Retired 1979CTS (NORAD 8585, COSPAR 1976-004A) is a retired CA satellite, withdrawn from service around 8 Dec 1979, launched on 17 Jan 1976 on the CTS mission. It was operated by CRC as part of the CTS programme. The spacecraft was built by CRC on the CTS bus, with a mass of 336 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1976
launched
1979
retired
50
years on orbit
336
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched17 Jan 1976 · on the CTS mission
Operational8 Dec 1979 · entered service
Retired8 Dec 1979 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID8585
COSPAR1976-004A
TypeSatellite
OperatorCRC
Country / StateCA
ManufacturerCRC
BusCTS
Mass336 kg (311 kg dry)
ProgrammeCTS
CategoryCOM
OrbitGEO (GEO/S)
Altitude35,759 × 35,813 km
Inclination0.1°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to CTS?
CTS was retired from service around 8 Dec 1979 after launching in 1976. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built CTS?
CTS was operated by CRC and built by CRC (CA).
Historical record from the Orbital Radar satellite archive. Sources & methodology: data sources. Accessed 2026-09-06.