SATCOM K2 (16276)

COSPAR: 1985-109D | Alt Name: Satcom K2

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

November 27, 1985

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

LC39A

Launch Vehicle

Space Shuttle

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

16276

International Designator

1985-109D

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:18:19 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

14.71°

Right Ascension

352.26°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

269.61°

Period

1445.68 min

Mean Motion

1.00 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

SATCOM K2

Alternative Name

Satcom K2

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

AMC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 16276U 85109D   26185.05439252  .00000074  00000-0  00000-0 0  9998

2 16276  14.7077 352.2603 0008708 269.6082 272.3696  0.99607204125760

Source: Celestrak

Summary

SATCOM K2, also known as Satcom K-2, is a communication satellite with the OBJECT_ID 1985-109D and NORAD_CAT_ID 16276. Launched on November 27, 1985, from Launch Complex 39A (LC39A) at AFETR using a Space Shuttle as its launch vehicle, the satellite is owned by AMC and was manufactured by RCA in the US. It has dimensions of approximately 2.1 meters in length and 1.5 meters in diameter, with a span of 20 meters due to its solar arrays. Equipped with a dry mass of 850 kg and a launch mass of 966 kg, SATCOM K2 is powered by two deployable solar arrays along with batteries. Its primary mission involves communication using 16 (+4) Ku-band transponders, supporting an operational lifetime of 10 years. The satellite has a box shape with two panels and an RCS (Reflective Coefficient Surface) value of 10.

Physical Characteristics

Length

2.1

Diameter

1.5

Span

Dry Mass

850

Launch Mass

966

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Satcom K-2

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

RCA

Life Expectancy

10 years

Bus

AS4000

Configuration

AS-4000

Motor

Star 37XFP

Equipment

16 (+4) Ku-band transponders

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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