The Day America Pioneered Polar Orbits
Sixty-six years ago, a Thor-Agena rocket thundered into the California sky carrying Discoverer 1, the first satellite attempt at polar orbit and the secret vanguard of Americas space reconnaissance program
PALAPA 2 (09862)
COSPAR: 1977-018A | Alt Name: Palapa A2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 10, 1977
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17A
Launch Vehicle
Delta 2914
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
09862
International Designator
1977-018A
Epoch
Fri, 17 Jul 2026 02:55:41 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
8.61°
Right Ascension
310.12°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
137.28°
Period
1439.19 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
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Basic Satellite Info
Name
PALAPA 2
Alternative Name
Palapa A2
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
PER
Country
Indonesia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 09862U 77018A 26198.12200977 -.00000179 00000+0 00000+0 0 9998
2 09862 8.6056 310.1196 0004194 137.2833 234.9269 01.00056328143411
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
1.6
Diameter
2.2
Span
3.7
Dry Mass
208
Launch Mass
282
Shape
Cyl + Dish
Radar Cross Section
5.5241
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Palapa A2
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
HSES
Life Expectancy
7 years
Bus
HS-333
Configuration
HS-333D
Motor
FW5
Equipment
12 C-band 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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