22921 - NATO 4B

USA 98, a second of the NATO's NATO 4 series of encrypted communications satellites, was launched from Cape Canaveral by a Delta 2 rocket. The NATO Satellite Communications System provided immediate communication links between officials of the various NATO nations. As of 1998, one NATO 3 and two NATO 4 satellites were in earth orbit at an altitude of more than 23,000 miles. The satellites are ultra-high, super-high, and extremely-high frequency systems capable of providing secure voice and fax services to hundreds of users simultaneously. Members of an Air Force Space Command unit provided command and control for the NATO system.

Alternate Names

USA 98

Facts in Brief

Launch Date: 1993-12-08
Launch Vehicle: Delta II
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral, United States
Mass: 1430.0 kg