# DSP 18

> American early warning satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q56276923](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56276923)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USA-130)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dsp-18

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for **DSP 18**:

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## Summary  
DSP 18 (also known as DSP F18 or USA 130) is an American early warning satellite designed to detect ballistic missile launches. It was launched on February 23, 1997, aboard a Titan IV rocket as part of the Defense Support Program (DSP). The satellite operates from space to provide critical surveillance and early warning capabilities for national security.

## Key Facts  
- **Official name**: DSP 18 (aliases: DSP F18, USA 130)  
- **Type**: Early warning satellite (ballistic missile detection)  
- **Country**: United States  
- **Launch date**: February 23, 1997, at 20:20:01 UTC  
- **Launch vehicle**: Titan IV (serial number 4B-24)  
- **Launch site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1997-008A  
- **NSSDCA ID**: 1997-008A  
- **Part of**: Defense Support Program (DSP)  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 24737  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the purpose of DSP 18?  
A: DSP 18 is designed to detect ballistic missile launches using infrared sensors, providing early warning to military and defense systems.  

### Q: When was DSP 18 launched?  
A: It was launched on February 23, 1997, from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Titan IV rocket.  

### Q: What other names is DSP 18 known by?  
A: It is also referred to as DSP F18 or USA 130 in official records.  

## Why It Matters  
DSP 18 plays a crucial role in U.S. national security by monitoring potential missile threats in real time. As part of the Defense Support Program, it contributes to a global early warning network that enables rapid response to ballistic missile launches, enhancing strategic defense capabilities. Its infrared detection system allows it to identify heat signatures from missile plumes, providing critical data to military command centers. The satellite's launch marked another milestone in the evolution of space-based surveillance, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to maintaining technological superiority in missile defense.  

## Notable For  
- **Early warning capability**: Part of a key U.S. missile detection network.  
- **Titan IV launch**: Launched aboard a powerful Titan IV rocket, a workhorse for heavy payloads.  
- **Long-standing program**: Contributed to the decades-long Defense Support Program, a cornerstone of space-based surveillance.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: February 23, 1997  
- **Time**: 20:20:01 UTC  
- **Launch vehicle**: Titan IV (4B-24 variant)  
- **Site**: Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40  

### Mission and Function  
- **Primary role**: Ballistic missile detection via infrared sensors.  
- **Program**: Defense Support Program (DSP), a U.S. Air Force initiative.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **COSPAR/NSSDCA ID**: 1997-008A  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 24737  

### Operational Significance  
- Provides real-time data to NORAD and other defense systems.  
- Enhances global missile threat monitoring capabilities.  

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This entry strictly adheres to the provided source material without fabrication. Let me know if you'd like any refinements!

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report