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TELSTAR 303 (15826)
COSPAR: 1985-048D | Alt Name: Telstar 303
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 17, 1985
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39A
Launch Vehicle
Space Shuttle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
15826
International Designator
1985-048D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:41:45 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
14.19°
Right Ascension
346.15°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
250.89°
Period
1441.71 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
TELSTAR 303
Alternative Name
Telstar 303
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
ATTS
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 15826U 85048D 26185.15399707 .00000019 00000-0 00000-0 0 9990
2 15826 14.1911 346.1531 0002753 250.8922 116.0414 0.99881200 46676
Source: Celestrak
Summary
TELSTAR 303, also known as Telstar 3D, is a communication satellite launched on June 17, 1985, from Launch Pad LC39A at the Kennedy Space Center using a Space Shuttle launch vehicle. The spacecraft, manufactured by HSES and operated by ATTS, measures 6.8 meters in length with a diameter of 2.2 meters and has a span of 6.8 meters. Its dry mass is 522 kilograms while its launch mass was 619 kilograms. TELSTAR 303 carries 24 C-band transponders for communication purposes and is powered by solar cells and batteries. The satellite's shape is cylindrical with an RCS value of 5.1182, indicating its radar cross-section. Launched as part of the HS-376 configuration, TELSTAR 303 has a designed lifetime of 10 years for communication missions.
Physical Characteristics
Length
6.8
Diameter
2.2
Span
6.8
Dry Mass
522
Launch Mass
619
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
5.1182
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Telstar 3D
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
HSES
Life Expectancy
10 years
Bus
HS-376
Configuration
HS-376
Motor
TE-M-700-17
Equipment
24 C-band transponders
Power System
Solar cells (body mounted and drop-skirt), 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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