# DSP 11

> American missile launch warning satellite launched in 1984

**Wikidata**: [Q113172567](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q113172567)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dsp-11

## Summary
DSP 11 was an American missile launch warning satellite, part of the Defense Support Program. Launched in 1984 by the United States Air Force, its primary mission was ballistic missile detection from a geostationary orbit.

## Key Facts
*   Launched: April 14, 1984, at 16:52:02 UTC.
*   Type: Early warning satellite, specifically for ballistic missile detection.
*   Operator: United States Air Force.
*   Part of: Defense Support Program.
*   Launch Vehicle: Titan 34D (vehicle 34D-11).
*   Manufacturer: TRW Inc.
*   Orbit: Geostationary orbit.
*   Mass: 1170 kilograms (launch weight).
*   Aliases include DSPF11, DSP F11, DSP SVN-12, and OPS 7641.

## FAQs
### Q: What was DSP 11's primary purpose?
A: DSP 11 was an American missile launch warning satellite. Its primary purpose was ballistic missile detection as an early warning satellite.

### Q: When and where was DSP 11 launched?
A: DSP 11 was launched on April 14, 1984, at 16:52:02 UTC. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.

### Q: Who operated DSP 11?
A: DSP 11 was operated by the United States Air Force. It was manufactured by TRW Inc.

### Q: What program was DSP 11 a part of?
A: DSP 11 was a component of the Defense Support Program. It was designed to operate in a geostationary orbit.

## Why It Matters
DSP 11 is significant as a component of the Defense Support Program (DSP), a critical system for the United States' national security. As an early warning satellite, its role was to detect ballistic missile launches, providing crucial time for response in potential conflict scenarios. The launch of DSP 11 in 1984, aboard a Titan 34D rocket, contributed to the continuous surveillance capabilities necessary during the Cold War era and beyond. Its operation by the United States Air Force underscored the military importance of space-based assets for strategic defense. By maintaining a geostationary orbit, DSP 11, along with other DSP satellites, offered persistent coverage over vast areas, enabling the detection of missile threats from their earliest stages. This capability was, and remains, fundamental to deterrence and global stability, ensuring that the United States and its allies have the earliest possible notification of missile attacks. The technology and operational experience gained from satellites like DSP 11 have been foundational for subsequent generations of missile warning systems, highlighting its lasting legacy in space-based intelligence and defense.

## Notable For
*   Being an American missile launch warning satellite launched in 1984.
*   Its role as an early warning satellite specifically for ballistic missile detection.
*   Being a part of the Defense Support Program (DSP).
*   Its launch by a Titan 34D rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.
*   Operating in a geostationary orbit for continuous surveillance.

## Body

### Overview
DSP 11 was an American missile launch warning satellite. It was launched in 1984 and served as an early warning satellite for ballistic missile detection. The satellite was a component of the broader Defense Support Program.

### Launch Details
*   **Launch Date:** April 14, 1984, at 16:52:02 UTC.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Titan 34D, specifically vehicle 34D-11.
*   **Launch Site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.
*   **Space Tug:** A Transtage (05D-2) was utilized.
*   The launch was recorded as a significant event.

### Operational Characteristics
*   **Operator:** United States Air Force.
*   **Manufacturer:** TRW Inc.
*   **Orbit:** Geostationary orbit.
*   **Mass:** 1170 kilograms (launch weight).
*   **Country:** United States.

### Identifiers and Aliases
*   **SCN:** 14930
*   **COSPAR ID:** 1984-037A
*   **NSSDC ID:** 1984-037A
*   **Aliases:** DSPF11, DSP F11, DSP SVN-12, OPS 7641.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/dsp-2mp.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report