Milstar 2-1

USA

Spacecraft n°:

USA satellite n°:

Also called: USA-143

Launch data:

Designation	25724 / 99023A
Launch date	30 Apr 1999
Launch site	CC, LC-40
Launch vehicle	Titan-401B/Centaur-T (#27)
Mission	Military:Telecommunications
Geostationary orbit on:
Perigee / Apogee	km
Eccentricity
Inclination	deg
Period	min

Centaur failed

End of life:

Out of service	30 Apr 1999
Cause	The top stage fired the intended 3 times but did so much too early. The satellite separated 4 hours early, and this caused the spacecraft to remain in LEO.

The spacecraft was raised to a slightly higher orbit, using its onboard thrusters. Satellite controllers then turned off all functions, deliberately exhausted the on-board liquid fuel supply and drained all remaining electrical power from the spacecraft. The decision to raise the satellite to a terminal orbit was made after controllers exhausted all possible options to salvage it or raise it to a geostationary orbit.

Ref: #15 - update: 06.01.11