Space Brief 6 Apr 2025
Today, we explore substantial U.S. defense contracts awarded for space launches, ESA's enigmatic Euclid images release, and SpaceX missions covering satellite launches and astronaut reentries.
OPS 6577 (VELA 5) (01458)
COSPAR: 1965-058A | Alt Name: Vela III-A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
July 20, 1965
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC13
Launch Vehicle
Atlas Agena D
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
01458
International Designator
1965-058A
Epoch
Tue, 21 Jul 2026 23:06:27 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
29.20°
Right Ascension
14.74°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
320.42°
Period
6721.80 min
Mean Motion
0.21 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
OPS 6577 (VELA 5)
Alternative Name
Vela III-A
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
AFSSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 01458U 65058A 26202.96281852 -.00001426 00000+0 00000+0 0 9997
2 01458 29.1988 14.7398 5110019 320.4208 356.9801 00.21422825 12129
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
1.4
Diameter
1.4
Span
1.4
Dry Mass
132
Launch Mass
132
Shape
Poly
Radar Cross Section
0.003
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Vela 3A
Purpose
Nuclear Detection
Mission
Nuclear Detection
Manufacturer
TRW
Life Expectancy
6 months (design)
Bus
Vela
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
BE-3A
Equipment
12 external X-ray detectors and 18 internal neutron and gamma-ray detectors
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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