X Report 24 Nov 2025
SpaceX successfully launches 28 Starlink satellites on a new Falcon 9 rocket from California, marking a significant milestone for their satellite constellation.
EXPLORER 20 (00870)
COSPAR: 1964-051A | Alt Name: Explorer 20
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 25, 1964
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
PALC-D
Launch Vehicle
Scout X-4
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
00870
International Designator
1964-051A
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 02:15:36 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
79.90°
Right Ascension
242.93°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
196.57°
Period
103.46 min
Mean Motion
13.92 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
EXPLORER 20
Alternative Name
Explorer 20
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 00870U 64051A 26201.09417176 .00000062 00000+0 41081-4 0 9992
2 00870 79.8957 242.9279 0096852 196.5651 163.2336 13.91796851138017
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.8
Diameter
0.7
Span
37
Dry Mass
44
Launch Mass
44
Shape
DCone + 6 Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.4927
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
NASA S-48
Purpose
Research
Mission
Research
Manufacturer
CHAIL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
S-48
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
None
Equipment
Fixed-Frequency Ionosonde, Spherical Ion-Mass Spectrometer, six sounding antennas
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
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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