Quasar (satellite)

From Free net encyclopedia

Quasar is the rumored BYEMAN code name for a communications satellite commonly called the Satellite Data System (SDS) operated by the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The first SDS satellites were placed into highly elliptical "Molniya" orbits to send images from KH-11 electro-optical reconnaissance satellites back to the DCEETA/Area 58 ground station at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia (38d44m10s N, 77d09m30s W). It is possible that some later SDS satellites were placed in geosynchronous orbits and may serve as relays for other NRO satellites, such as Lacrosse.

A recent Quasar may have been launched into a high-apogee orbit from Cape Canaveral on August 31, 2004 by an Atlas 2AS rocket.

External links

• Spacewarn Bulletin 611 (Quasar listed as USA 179)

Template:Spacecraft-stub