Skipper

retired

Technology DemonstrationLEOCOSPAR 1995-072BLaunched 12/28/1995

Admin Edit

Mission & Launch

Launch Mission: IRS-1C Mission
Launch Vehicle: Molniya 8K78M 2BL
Launch Date: 12/28/1995
Last Contact: 12/29/1995

Orbit & Mass

Orbit Class: LEO
Altitude: 808.5 km
Inclination: 98.56 deg
Dry Mass: 220 kg
Total Mass: 250 kg

Payload Classification

Organizations

Operator: U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA)
Manufacturer: NPO Lavotchkin

Registry

COSPAR ID: 1995-072B
UN Registration: ST/SG/SER.E/688

Mentions

All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.

Maritime intelligence confirmed that the Skipper was broadcasting falsified Automatic Identification System (AIS) data to conceal its true location.

GeneralValue 2.0Dec 11, 2025U.S. Forces Seize ‘Dark Fleet’ Tanker Skipper in Caribbean Raid Following AIS Spoofing Detection

DarkNESS will use cryogenically cooled Skipper Charged-Coupled Devices developed by Fermilab.

Capability

DarkNESS will use cryogenically cooled Skipper Charged-Coupled Devices developed by Fermilab.

CapabilityValue 4.0Mar 6, 2024Firefly Aerospace Announces Second Round of DREAM Payload Awardees

MEOLUT Next pinpointed the Asteria’s location within four minutes on 2022-11-18, enabling rescue crews to reach the yacht and save the skipper Tapio Lehtinen.

CapabilityValue 3.5Mar 21, 2023Thales Alenia Space to provide Vietnam with a search-and-rescue network