IRAS (13777)

COSPAR: 1983-004A | Alt Name: IRAS

Image
IRAS Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

January 26, 1983

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC2W

Launch Vehicle

Delta 3910

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

13777

International Designator

1983-004A

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:05:52 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

99.06°

Right Ascension

6.29°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

280.43°

Period

102.79 min

Mean Motion

14.01 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

IRAS

Alternative Name

IRAS

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

JPL/NIVR

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 13777U 83004A   26184.79574713  .00000305  00000-0  23371-3 0  9991
2 13777  99.0579   6.2911 0017744 280.4269  79.4896 14.00931405888700

Source: Celestrak

Summary
The IRAS satellite, officially known as Infrared Astronomical Satellite, was launched by NASA on January 26, 1983, from Vandenberg Air Force Base using a Delta 3910 launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 3.6 meters in length and diameter with a span of 3.6 meters. It had a dry mass of 954 kilograms and was launched with a total mass of 1027 kilograms. IRAS featured a 0.6-meter Ritchey-Chretien infrared telescope housed within a cryostat, enabling astronomical observations in the infra-red spectrum. The satellite's power system consisted of solar cells complemented by batteries for energy storage. Designed and manufactured by FOKKS/BALL under the ownership of JPL/NIVR, IRAS operated for approximately ten months, conducting significant infra-red astronomy missions before its deactivation.
Physical Characteristics

Length

3.6

Diameter

2

Span

3.6

Dry Mass

954

Launch Mass

1027

Shape

Cyl + Pan

Radar Cross Section

3.9914

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

IRAS

Purpose

Astronomy, Infra-Red

Mission

Astronomy, Infra-Red

Manufacturer

FOKKS/BALL

Life Expectancy

10 months

Bus

IRAS

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

None

Equipment

0.6 m Ritchey-Chretien IR telescope, cryostat

Power System

Solar cells, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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