SATCOM K1 (16482)

COSPAR: 1986-003B | Alt Name: Satcom K1

Image
SATCOM K1 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

January 12, 1986

Launch Pad

LC39A

Launch Vehicle

Space Shuttle

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

16482

International Designator

1986-003B

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:03:18 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

14.68°

Right Ascension

350.96°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

190.47°

Period

1446.45 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 K1

Alternative Name

Satcom K1

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

AMCG

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 16482U 86003B   26184.91896471 -.00000089  00000-0  00000-0 0  9992
2 16482  14.6781 350.9642 0003107 190.4720 339.7483  0.99554313124613

Source: Celestrak

Summary
SATCOM K1, also known as Satcom K-1, is a communication satellite with the NORAD catalog ID 16482 and object identifier 1986-003B. Launched on January 12, 1986, from Launch Pad LC39A at AFETR using a Space Shuttle as its launch vehicle, it was manufactured by GEEW for AMCG. The satellite has a configuration of AS-4000 and a BUS type of AS4000. It measures 2.1 meters in length, 1.5 meters in diameter, and has a span of 20 meters. With a dry mass of 850 kg and launch mass of 1008 kg, its mission was to provide communication services through 16 (+4) Ku-band transponders powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's shape is described as "Box + 2 Pan" with an RCS value of 7.6761. Equipped with a Star 37XFP motor, its intended operational lifetime was 10 years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

2.1

Diameter

1.5

Span

20

Dry Mass

850

Launch Mass

1008

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

7.6761

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Satcom K-1

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

GEEW

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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