🛰️ SATELLITE · HISTORICAL RECORD
PARCAE 1
Retired 1980PARCAE 1 (NORAD 8818, COSPAR 1976-038A) is a retired US satellite, withdrawn from service around 1 Jan 1980, launched on 30 Apr 1976 on the PARCAE 1 mission. It was operated by NRO / NRL as part of the PARCAE programme. The spacecraft was built by NRL on the NOSS MSD bus, with a mass of 559 kg. Historical record from Orbital Radar's satellite archive, cross-referenced with the live satellite catalogue.
1976
launched
1980
retired
50
years on orbit
559
kg mass
Lifecycle
Launched30 Apr 1976 · on the PARCAE 1 mission
Operational1 Jan 1980 · entered service
Retired1 Jan 1980 · end of operational service
StatusOn orbit (not live-tracked)
Specifications
NORAD ID8818
COSPAR1976-038A
TypeSatellite
OperatorNRO / NRL
Country / StateUS
ManufacturerNRL
BusNOSS MSD
Mass559 kg
ProgrammePARCAE
CategorySIG
OrbitLEO (LEO/I)
Altitude1,080 × 1,140 km
Inclination63.4°
Frequently asked questions
What happened to PARCAE 1?
PARCAE 1 was retired from service around 1 Jan 1980 after launching in 1976. It is no longer operational but remains catalogued.
Who operated and built PARCAE 1?
PARCAE 1 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.