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Jumpseat

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Status: Operational 1971. First Launch: 1971-03-21. Last Launch: 1983-07-31. Number: 7 . Gross mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb).

These orbits were very similar to those of SDS classified communications/data relay satellites, and identification of a launch in either series as SDS or Jumpseat may differ from analyst to analyst.

Jumpseat satellites were reportedly about 2 m x 2 m x 4 m in dimension, with two large solar wings and a large primary parabolic antenna. In their elliptical orbits they would move very slowly over the northern hemisphere for most of their orbital period, allowing interception of microwave line-of-sight communications beams. Since they would move slowly through the beams during their orbit, a constellation of such satellites was required to monitor Soviet communications throughout the day. What could be intercepted at any particular time of day would depend on which satellites were in a position to monitor which beams. The satellites also probably integrated ELINT and other SIGINT functions and intercepted up- or down-links from Soviet Molniya strategic communications satellites. Receiving stations were established in Pine Gap, near Alice Springs, Australia; Bad Aibling, Germany, Menwith Hill, Yorkshire, England; and Misawa, Japan. Jumpseat and other US COMINT satellites became less important during the 1980's, as the Soviet Union moved to replace interceptable radio communication links with conventional or fiber-optic cables.

• Jumpseat 1 - . Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Jumpseat. USAF Sat Cat: 5053 . COSPAR: 1971-021A. Apogee: 33,800 km (21,000 mi). Perigee: 390 km (240 mi). Inclination: 63.20 deg. Period: 596.70 min.

• Jumpseat 2 - . Payload: OPS 1844. Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Jumpseat.

• Jumpseat 3 - . Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Jumpseat. USAF Sat Cat: 6791 . COSPAR: 1973-056A. Apogee: 39,296 km (24,417 mi). Perigee: 460 km (280 mi). Inclination: 63.30 deg. Period: 705.70 min.

• Jumpseat 4 - . Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Jumpseat. USAF Sat Cat: 7687 . COSPAR: 1975-017A. Apogee: 39,337 km (24,442 mi). Perigee: 295 km (183 mi). Inclination: 63.50 deg. Period: 702.00 min.

• Jumpseat 5 - . Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Jumpseat. USAF Sat Cat: 10688 . COSPAR: 1978-021A. Apogee: 39,377 km (24,467 mi). Perigee: 311 km (193 mi). Inclination: 63.20 deg. Period: 703.70 min. Or Quasar..

• Jumpseat 6 - . Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Jumpseat. USAF Sat Cat: 12418 . COSPAR: 1981-038A. Apogee: 708 km (439 mi). Perigee: 188 km (116 mi). Inclination: 62.70 deg. Period: 93.00 min. SDS 4 not deployed..

• Jumpseat 7 - . Mass: 700 kg (1,540 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: NRO, USAF. Class: Surveillance. Type: SIGINT. Spacecraft: Jumpseat. USAF Sat Cat: 14237 . COSPAR: 1983-078A. Apogee: 39,321 km (24,432 mi). Perigee: 1,028 km (638 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 717.10 min. Or Quasar.