WESTFORD NEEDLES (03255)

COSPAR: 1963-014BV | Alt Name: West Ford dipoles

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

03255

International Designator

1963-014BV

Epoch

Fri, 17 Jul 2026 08:07:48 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

87.36°

Right Ascension

166.41°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

155.39°

Period

166.13 min

Mean Motion

8.67 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot

3D Visualization

Explore in the Catalog

United States satellites Debris

Basic Satellite Info

Name

WESTFORD NEEDLES

Alternative Name

West Ford dipoles

Type

Debris

Status

Space Junk

Owner

AFSSD

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 03255U 63014BV  26198.33875321  .00000005  00000+0  75066-3 0  9998

2 03255  87.3553 166.4105 0162773 155.3900 205.4830 08.66798764384031

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

Diameter

Span

Dry Mass

Launch Mass

Shape

N/A

Radar Cross Section

0.304

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

RCS 0.27

Purpose

Unknown

Mission

Unknown

Manufacturer

Unknown

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Unknown

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

Unknown

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Unknown

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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Latitude

Longitude

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