# Parcae 13A

> American military ocean surveillance and SIGINT satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q136089415](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136089415)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/parcae-13a

## Summary  
Parcae 13A is an American military ocean surveillance and signals intelligence (SIGINT) satellite operated by the National Reconnaissance Office and the U.S. Navy. Launched on May 12, 1996, it forms part of the Naval Ocean Surveillance System (NOSS), designed to gather intelligence through electronic signal monitoring from low Earth orbit.

## Key Facts  
- Official designation: Parcae 13A; also known as USA-119, NOSS-2 4A, and Improved Parcae 4 SSU-1  
- Launched on May 12, 1996, at 21:32 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East  
- Part of the Naval Ocean Surveillance System (NOSS), a U.S. Navy SIGINT program  
- Operated jointly by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the United States Navy  
- Manufacturer: Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta  
- Launch vehicle: Titan IV (serial K-22)  
- COSPAR ID: 1996-029D  
- Satellite catalog number (SCN): 23862  
- Orbit: Low Earth orbit  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is Parcae 13A used for?  
A: Parcae 13A is a signals intelligence (SIGINT) satellite used for ocean surveillance and electronic intelligence gathering. It monitors radio frequency emissions to support U.S. military operations.

### Q: When was Parcae 13A launched?  
A: Parcae 13A was launched on May 12, 1996, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East aboard a Titan IV rocket.

### Q: Who operates Parcae 13A?  
A: The satellite is operated jointly by the National Reconnaissance Office and the United States Navy as part of the Naval Ocean Surveillance System (NOSS).

## Why It Matters  
Parcae 13A represents a key asset in the United States' space-based intelligence infrastructure. As part of the Naval Ocean Surveillance System, it contributes to maritime domain awareness by collecting electronic signals from naval and other targets across the globe. These capabilities are essential for strategic military planning, force protection, and tactical decision-making. Its deployment reflects the U.S. military's reliance on space systems for persistent global surveillance during the post-Cold War era.

## Notable For  
- Part of the Improved Parcae series under the NOSS-2 constellation, enhancing SIGINT collection precision  
- One of several payloads launched alongside TiPS and SLDCOM satellites on a single Titan IV mission  
- Operated by both the NRO and U.S. Navy, reflecting inter-agency collaboration in national security space operations  
- Launched using the powerful Titan IV rocket, among the largest U.S. expendable launch vehicles  
- Represents evolution in ocean surveillance technology with improved signal interception and geolocation capabilities  

## Body  

### Overview  
Parcae 13A is a classified U.S. military satellite developed for signals intelligence (SIGINT) and ocean surveillance purposes. It belongs to the Naval Ocean Surveillance System (NOSS), a long-running program managed by the U.S. Navy and executed in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The system supports maritime intelligence operations critical to national defense.

### Technical Details  
- **Satellite Catalog Number**: 23862  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1996-029D  
- **Orbit**: Low Earth orbit  
- **Launch Date**: May 12, 1996  
- **Launch Time**: 21:32 UTC  
- **Launch Site**: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Titan IV (K-22)  
- **Manufacturer(s)**: Lockheed Corporation, Martin Marietta  

### Operational Role  
As part of NOSS, Parcae 13A contributes to the detection, tracking, and geolocation of maritime and terrestrial emitters. The system typically operates in clusters of satellites to triangulate signals, enabling precise emitter location and signal analysis. This capability is vital for understanding adversary communications and movements, especially in contested maritime zones.

### Launch Context  
The satellite was launched alongside multiple co-passengers including TiPS 1a, TiPS 1b, SLDCOM 4, and Parcae 13B and 13C. This multi-payload configuration was typical for large-scale Titan IV missions supporting national security payloads.

### Program Affiliation  
Parcae 13A is categorized under the Improved Parcae series within the second generation of the Naval Ocean Surveillance System (NOSS-2). These satellites represent advancements over earlier NOSS platforms in terms of signal processing, resolution, and operational flexibility.

## References

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