Space Brief 14 Mar 2025
Today’s highlights include new defense initiatives in the U.S., potential strategic shifts in Europe, and the establishment of council to counter security threats.
JD 2 (14729)
COSPAR: 1984-012D | Alt Name: JD2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 5, 1984
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3E
Launch Vehicle
Atlas H
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
14729
International Designator
1984-012D
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:15:12 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
63.31°
Right Ascension
350.37°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
128.80°
Period
104.63 min
Mean Motion
13.76 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
JD 2
Alternative Name
JD2
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
NRO/NRL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 14729U 84012D 26184.63556289 .00005476 00000-0 66364-3 0 9993
2 14729 63.3084 350.3681 0742221 128.8048 238.1706 13.76254728346177
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The JD 2 satellite, also known as JD2, is an ocean surveillance and ELINT (Electronic Intelligence) spacecraft operated by NRO/NRL. Launched on February 5, 1984, from the AFWTR SLC3E launch pad using an Atlas H vehicle, it has a configuration that includes gravity gradient stabilization. The satellite's dimensions are 0.9 meters in length and 0.4 meters in diameter, with a span of 10 meters. It carries the PARCAE 7 SSU-2 payload and weighs 200 kilograms at launch and dry mass. Its power system consists of four deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's shape is described as box-shaped with an antenna extension.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.9
Diameter
0.4
Span
10
Dry Mass
200
Launch Mass
200
Shape
Box + Ant
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
PARCAE 7 SSU-2
Purpose
Ocean Surveillance, ELINT
Mission
Ocean Surveillance, ELINT
Manufacturer
MM
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
NOSS SSU
Configuration
Gravity gradient stabilized
Motor
?
Equipment
?
Power System
4 deployable solar arrays, 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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