Space Brief 22 Aug 2025
SpaceX's X-37B spaceplane launch, featuring advanced tech, highlights today’s space events. The launch of the first reprogrammable navigation satellite by the US Space Force is another significant milestone.
OPS 9845 (DMSP 5D-2 F6) (13736)
COSPAR: 1982-118A | Alt Name: DMSP F-6
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 21, 1982
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3W
Launch Vehicle
Atlas E
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
13736
International Designator
1982-118A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:06:46 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.59°
Right Ascension
12.42°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
277.73°
Period
100.66 min
Mean Motion
14.31 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
OPS 9845 (DMSP 5D-2 F6)
Alternative Name
DMSP F-6
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
AFSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 13736U 82118A 26185.00470255 .00000147 00000-0 73386-4 0 9998
2 13736 98.5931 12.4248 0006344 277.7317 82.3145 14.30526706267416
Source: Celestrak
Summary
OPS 9845 (DMSP 5D-2 F6), also known as DMSP F-6, is a meteorology satellite launched by the US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center on December 21, 1982, from Vandenberg AFB using an Atlas E launch vehicle. It has dimensions of 6.9 meters in length with a diameter of 1.5 meters and a span also measuring 6.9 meters. The satellite weighs 760 kg both at launch and dry mass. Equipped with a deployable solar array and batteries for power, it operates on the TIROS-N Bus configuration with a Block 5D design. Its mission is meteorological observation, and it was designed to operate for five years but reached 22 years in service as the fourteenth such satellite. The satellite's shape is described as Box + Pan, and its manufacturer is RCA.
Physical Characteristics
Length
6.9
Diameter
1.5
Span
6.9
Dry Mass
760
Launch Mass
760
Shape
Box + Pan
Radar Cross Section
3.3278
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
DMSP Block 5D-2 S-6
Purpose
Meteorology
Mission
Meteorology
Manufacturer
RCA
Life Expectancy
5 years (design); 22 years (reached, #14)
Bus
Block 5D
Configuration
TIROS-N Bus
Motor
Star 37S
Equipment
see above
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
SpaceX Targets 600th Falcon Booster Landing on Starlink 17-22 | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX attempts its 600th Falcon 9 booster landing during the Starlink 17-22 mission, adding 25 satellites from Vandenberg SFB.
Space Brief 11 Nov 2025
Record-breaking Chinese launches, SDA funding issues, and a new Starlink milestone highlight today's space news.
X Report 23 Oct 2025
SpaceX continues to break records with its Falcon 9 missions while facing public scrutiny from Elon Musk regarding NASA's leadership. Meanwhile, satellite spectrum battles heat up as Lynk Global and Omnispace prepare to merge.
Space Brief 14 Sep 2025
Today's highlights include SpaceX's 300th Starlink launch, NASA re-establishing contact with a TRACERS satellite, and budget concerns impacting the commercial remote sensing industry.
X Report 20 Feb 2025
SpaceX and Rocket Lab make headlines with simultaneous launches, while Musk's Starliner comments stir controversy.
Space Brief 10 Dec 2025
Today's brief covers China's intense launch schedule, a new Arctic military constellation, Muon Space's defense innovations, and SpaceX's classified NROL-77 mission.
X Report 14 Jul 2025
SpaceX successfully launched the Dror 1 satellite for Israel Aerospace Industries, marking another step forward in their launch capabilities.