Space Brief 25 Aug 2024
Today's Space Brief covers NASA's decision on Starliner, SpaceX's preparations for the Polaris Dawn mission, and updates on various space activities. Also featured is an in-depth look at the Hubble Space Telescope.
NOAA 7 (12553)
COSPAR: 1981-059A | Alt Name: NOAA 7
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 23, 1981
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3W
Launch Vehicle
Atlas F
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
12553
International Designator
1981-059A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:13:12 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
98.80°
Right Ascension
252.15°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
214.84°
Period
101.57 min
Mean Motion
14.18 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
NOAA 7
Alternative Name
NOAA 7
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
NOAA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 12553U 81059A 26185.17583573 .00000052 00000-0 47096-4 0 9997
2 12553 98.7950 252.1500 0010816 214.8434 145.2034 14.17793573327157
Source: Celestrak
Summary
NOAA 7, also known as OBJECT_ID 1981-059A, is a meteorology satellite based on the TIROS-N bus and operated by NOAA. Launched on June 23, 1981, from AFWTR at SLC3W using an Atlas F launch vehicle, it has dimensions of 3.7 meters in length, 1.9 meters in diameter, and a span of 4.9 meters. The satellite's dry mass is 685 kg, matching its launch mass. It was manufactured by RCA and equipped with AVHRR/1, TOVS (HIRS/2, SSU, MSU), SEM, DCPLS equipment for its meteorological mission. Power is supplied by a deployable solar array and batteries. Its shape is described as box + pan with an RCS of 2.878.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3.7
Diameter
1.9
Span
4.9
Dry Mass
685
Launch Mass
685
Shape
Box + Pan
Radar Cross Section
2.878
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
NOAA C
Purpose
Meteorology
Mission
Meteorology
Manufacturer
RCA
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Tiros N
Configuration
TIROS-N Bus
Motor
Star 37S
Equipment
AVHRR/1, TOVS (HIRS/2, SSU, MSU), SEM, DCPLS
Power System
Deployable solar array, 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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