# DSP 16

> American early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q111499553](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111499553)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dsp-16

## Summary
DSP 16 is an American early warning satellite designed primarily for ballistic missile detection. Launched on November 24, 1991, it was deployed into orbit using the Space Shuttle during the STS-44 mission. The satellite is also identified by the designations USA 75 and DSP F16.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Early warning satellite (classification: ballistic missile detection satellite).
- **Launch Date:** November 24, 1991, at 23:44:00.
- **Launch Vehicle:** Space Shuttle (STS-44 mission).
- **Launch Site:** Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
- **Country of Origin:** United States.
- **Alternate Names:** USA 75, DSP F16.
- **Identifiers:** COSPAR ID / NSSDCA ID: 1991-080B; Satellite Catalog Number (SCN): 21805.
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** `Entity["Satellite", "21805"]`.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary mission of DSP 16?
A: DSP 16 was an early warning satellite developed by the United States to detect ballistic missile launches.

### Q: How was DSP 16 launched into space?
A: The satellite was launched aboard the Space Shuttle from the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A on November 24, 1991, as part of the STS-44 mission.

### Q: What are the international identifiers for DSP 16?
A: DSP 16 is tracked under the COSPAR ID and NSSDCA ID 1991-080B, and it carries the Satellite Catalog Number 21805.

### Q: What does the "DSP" in DSP 16 stand for?
A: Based on its classification as an "American early warning satellite" and "ballistic missile detection satellite," DSP refers to the Defense Support Program, though the source text explicitly classifies it as a ballistic missile detection satellite.

## Why It Matters
DSP 16 serves as a critical component of the United States' space-based surveillance architecture. As an early warning satellite, its core function is the detection of ballistic missile launches, providing strategic alert capabilities essential for national defense. The deployment of DSP 16 represents a specific intersection of military satellite technology and reusable launch systems, having been delivered to orbit via the Space Shuttle rather than an expendable rocket.

Launched in late 1991, DSP 16 (USA 75) belongs to a class of satellites that act as sentinels against missile attacks. The data provided confirms its integration into the STS-44 mission profile, highlighting the era's reliance on the Space Shuttle fleet for deploying sensitive defense assets. By verifying the precise launch coordinates (Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A) and timing, the entry solidifies the historical record of U.S. space operations during this period.

## Notable For
- **Shuttle Deployment:** Unlike many satellites launched on expendable rockets, DSP 16 was deployed via the Space Shuttle (STS-44).
- **Specific Orbital Designation:** It is uniquely identified by the SCN value 21805 and the designation USA 75.
- **Defense Role:** It is explicitly classified for ballistic missile detection, a high-priority defense sector.
- **Launch Precision:** The launch was conducted with a specific time stamp of 23:44:00 on November 24, 1991.

## Body
### Technical Identity and Classification
DSP 16 is an artificial satellite operated by the United States. In knowledge bases, it is formally defined by the Wolfram Language entity code `Entity["Satellite", "21805"]`. The satellite falls under the specific class of "ballistic missile detection satellite," a specialized type of "early warning satellite." This classification indicates that the spacecraft's instrumentation is optimized for identifying the thermal signatures of rocket plumes during missile boost phases.

### Launch Operations
The satellite was successfully launched on November 24, 1991. The launch event is classified as a "rocket launch" and utilized the Space Shuttle as the delivery system.
*   **Mission:** STS-44
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Space Shuttle
*   **Location:** Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
*   **Time:** 23:44:00

This specific launch event is documented in references such as the Wikidata item Q6272367.

### Designations and Identifiers
DSP 16 is associated with several identifiers used for tracking and cataloging:
*   **USA 75:** This is the military designation for the satellite.
*   **DSP F16:** This is an alternative designation referencing its series and flight number.
*   **1991-080B:** This is the COSPAR International Designator and NSSDCA ID, indicating it was the second object cataloged from the 080th launch of 1991.
*   **SCN 21805:** The Satellite Catalog Number assigned by the U.S. Space Force.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report