Graveyard Orbit
The final resting place for retired satellites, a disposal orbit where defunct spacecraft are sent to stay out of the way
NOAA 10 (16969)
COSPAR: 1986-073A | Alt Name: NOAA 10
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 17, 1986
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3W
Launch Vehicle
Atlas E
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
16969
International Designator
1986-073A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:48:26 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
98.70°
Right Ascension
178.46°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
310.25°
Period
100.76 min
Mean Motion
14.29 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
NOAA 10
Alternative Name
NOAA 10
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
NOAA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 16969U 86073A 26185.24197117 .00000126 00000-0 67244-4 0 9995
2 16969 98.7040 178.4572 0011141 310.2538 61.3116 14.29182817 71857
Source: Celestrak
Summary
NOAA 10 is a meteorology satellite with the NORAD identifier 16969 and OBJECT_ID 1986-073A, operating under the ATN bus configuration based on the TIROS-N Bus design. Launched by NOAA from AFWTR (SLC3W) using an Atlas E launch vehicle on September 17, 1986, it has a dry mass of 1030 kg and carries the payload known as NOAA G/S03. The satellite measures 4.2 meters in length with a diameter of 1.9 meters and spans up to 8 meters when its deployable solar array is extended. Its shape is described as a box with a pan configuration, and it has an RCS value of 4.165. Powered by a deployable solar array and batteries, NOAA 10 was designed for a minimum operational lifetime of two years and uses Star 37S motors to achieve its mission objectives in meteorology.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4.2
Diameter
1.9
Span
8
Dry Mass
1030
Launch Mass
1030
Shape
Box + Pan
Radar Cross Section
4.165
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
NOAA G/S03
Purpose
Meteorology
Mission
Meteorology
Manufacturer
GEEW
Life Expectancy
2 years minimum
Bus
ATN
Configuration
TIROS-N Bus
Motor
Star 37S
Equipment
?
Power System
Deployable solar array, 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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