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WESTFORD NEEDLES (00629)
COSPAR: 1963-014G | Alt Name: West Ford 3 Telem Package
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 9, 1963
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
LC1-2
Launch Vehicle
Atlas Agena B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00629
International Designator
1963-014G
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 09:42:15 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
87.35°
Right Ascension
188.39°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
313.28°
Period
166.37 min
Mean Motion
8.66 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
WESTFORD NEEDLES
Alternative Name
West Ford 3 Telem Package
Type
Debris
Status
Space Junk
Owner
AFSSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 00629U 63014G 26200.40434119 .00000007 00000+0 21656-2 0 9995
2 00629 87.3536 188.3858 0027312 313.2845 46.5732 08.65563815996988
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Space debris, also known as space junk, encompasses all non-functional objects orbiting Earth such as defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions or disintegrations. Over time, this debris can accumulate and create an increasingly hazardous environment in orbit. Even tiny fragments, traveling at extremely high velocities, can inflict significant damage on operational satellites and spacecraft. If left unmanaged, the density of debris raises the risk of catastrophic collisions and further fragmentation, compounding the problem and threatening the safety and sustainability of space activities.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.1
Diameter
0.1
Span
0.1
Dry Mass
8
Launch Mass
8
Shape
Box
Radar Cross Section
1.0664
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
West Ford Telemetry Package
Purpose
Unknown
Mission
Unknown
Manufacturer
MITLL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
Power System
Unknown
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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