Space Brief 18 Nov 2025
Key updates on strategic military shifts, technological advancements, and a critical replacement mission for Chinese astronauts highlight today's space news.
Launch Date
August 10, 1981
Launch Site
TANSC
Launch Pad
N
Launch Vehicle
N-2
NORAD ID
12677
International Designator
1981-076A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:16:29 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
7.95°
Right Ascension
304.05°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
327.78°
Period
1446.51 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Name
HIMAWARI-2 (GMS-2)
Alternative Name
Himawari 2
Type
Status
Owner
NASDA
Country
Japan
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 12677U 81076A 26185.13645468 -.00000128 00000-0 00000-0 0 9996
2 12677 7.9466 304.0519 0010229 327.7800 339.2104 0.99549935132393
Source: Celestrak
Length
3.5
Diameter
2.2
Span
3.5
Dry Mass
284
Launch Mass
300
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
4.2567
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
GMS 2
Purpose
Meteorology
Mission
Meteorology
Manufacturer
NEC/HSES
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
HS-378
Configuration
HS-378
Motor
Star 27
Equipment
?
Power System
Solar cells (body mounted), batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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