ESA's Proba-3 Formation-Flyer Goes Silent | KeepTrack Space Brief
ESA's Proba-3 spacecraft lost contact last month, grounding the dual-satellite solar eclipse mission. Formation flying between both craft is critical for coronagraph science.
INTELSAT 3-F6 (04297)
COSPAR: 1970-003A | Alt Name: INTELSAT III F-6
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 15, 1970
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17A
Launch Vehicle
Thor Delta M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
04297
International Designator
1970-003A
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 20:14:35 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
1.17°
Right Ascension
88.73°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
267.13°
Period
1452.27 min
Mean Motion
0.99 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
INTELSAT 3-F6
Alternative Name
INTELSAT III F-6
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
INTEL
Country
INTELSAT
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 04297U 70003A 26201.84346367 .00000095 00000+0 00000+0 0 9996
2 04297 1.1714 88.7300 0009673 267.1337 303.6705 00.99154854177192
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
1.5
Diameter
1.5
Span
1.5
Dry Mass
113
Launch Mass
135
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
4.4668
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
INTELSAT III F-6
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
TRW
Life Expectancy
5 years
Bus
INTELSAT 3
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
MRE-4
Equipment
2 transponders
Power System
Solar cells (body mounted), 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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