X Report 31 Dec 2025
Vandenberg Space Force Base opens a new launch site that may accommodate SpaceX's Starship. Meanwhile, Starlink continues to expand its service capabilities.
NIMBUS 5 (06305)
COSPAR: 1972-097A | Alt Name: Nimbus 5
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 11, 1972
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC2W
Launch Vehicle
Delta 0900
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
06305
International Designator
1972-097A
Epoch
Sun, 19 Jul 2026 16:07:25 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
99.80°
Right Ascension
98.66°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
71.35°
Period
107.12 min
Mean Motion
13.44 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
NIMBUS 5
Alternative Name
Nimbus 5
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 06305U 72097A 26200.67182035 -.00000027 00000+0 28553-4 0 9997
2 06305 99.8032 98.6620 0009228 71.3525 316.8769 13.44257401629099
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
3
Diameter
3.3
Span
3.6
Dry Mass
715
Launch Mass
715
Shape
Cone + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
2.9256
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Nimbus E
Purpose
Meteorology, experimental
Mission
Meteorology, experimental
Manufacturer
GEVF
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Nimbus
Configuration
Nimbus Bus
Motor
?
Equipment
THIR, ESMR, ITPR, NEMS, SCR, SCMR
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, 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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