X Report 5 Apr 2025
SpaceX secures major U.S. military contracts, Fram2 concludes historic mission, and preparations for another Starlink launch.
NATO 2B (04902)
COSPAR: 1971-009A | Alt Name: NATO IIB
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 3, 1971
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17A
Launch Vehicle
Thor Delta M
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
04902
International Designator
1971-009A
Epoch
Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:20:32 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
1.07°
Right Ascension
243.55°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
253.86°
Period
1436.10 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Explore in the Catalog
Basic Satellite Info
Name
NATO 2B
Alternative Name
NATO IIB
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
NATO
Country
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 04902U 71009A 26201.59759867 -.00000089 00000+0 00000+0 0 9995
2 04902 1.0734 243.5549 0003396 253.8580 271.3320 01.00271819118979
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
0.8
Span
1.6
Dry Mass
107
Launch Mass
118
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
1.8141
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
NATOSAT-II
Purpose
Military communication
Mission
Military communication
Manufacturer
PHFO
Life Expectancy
5 years
Bus
Skynet
Configuration
Skynet-1 Bus
Motor
Star 17A
Equipment
One 2 MHz and one 20 MHz bandwidth double-conversion repeater
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
SpaceX Launches 2 Starlink Batches in 48 Hours, Both Coasts | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX launched Starlink batches from Vandenberg and Cape Canaveral within 48 hours, pushing the active constellation toward 10,000 operational satellites.
Space Brief 16 Jan 2025
Explore today's pivotal news in space with highlights on record government space budgets, military satellite developments, and significant industry shifts.
SpaceX Acquires xAI, Starlink Bypasses Iran Internet Blackouts | KeepTrack Space Brief
SpaceX acquires xAI to develop orbital data centers. Starlink terminals bypass Iran's government internet blackouts. Blue Origin escalates defense procurement criticism.
Space Force Activates Cyber Squadrons at Launch Sites | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force stands up 2 cyber defense squadrons at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg to protect launch operations against adversary interference targeting pad networks and telemetry systems.
Space Brief 27 Oct 2025
Today's space highlights include the US Space Force's advanced tracking contract, a milestone in SpaceX's Starlink program, and a new initiative to remove space debris.
X Report 30 Dec 2024
SpaceX wraps up the year with significant launches, including a record-setting Astranis deployment and Starlink missions signaling the year's end.
X Report 25 Jul 2025
SpaceX successfully launched NASA's TRACERS mission while Starlink faced a brief global outage, affecting users worldwide.