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Today’s Space Brief covers the deployment of a new optical sensor for the Space Force, SpaceX's recent Starlink satellite launch, and significant investment in space cargo vehicles.
JD 3 (14795)
COSPAR: 1984-012F | Alt Name: JD3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 5, 1984
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3E
Launch Vehicle
Atlas H
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
14795
International Designator
1984-012F
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:28:52 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
63.30°
Right Ascension
275.00°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
127.07°
Period
103.59 min
Mean Motion
13.90 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 3
Alternative Name
JD3
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
NRO/NRL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 14795U 84012F 26184.64505602 .00006913 00000-0 61084-3 0 9991
2 14795 63.3029 274.9964 0718025 127.0733 239.8201 13.90094840356959
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The satellite JD 3 (OBJECT_ID: 1984-012F) is a US-owned spacecraft operated by NRO/NRL for Ocean Surveillance and ELINT missions. It was launched on February 5, 1984, from AFWTR SLC3E using an Atlas H launch vehicle. The satellite measures approximately 0.9 meters in length, has a diameter of 0.4 meters, and spans about 10 meters when fully deployed. JD 3 weighs 200 kilograms both at launch and dry mass and is equipped with four deployable solar arrays and batteries for power generation. Its structure consists of a box shape augmented by an antenna, and it uses gravity gradient stabilization for orientation in space. The satellite's payload includes the PARCAE 7 SSU-3 system designed for its mission objectives.
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-3
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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