Space Brief 21 Jan 2025
Today's Space Brief highlights a SpaceX launch of Starlink satellites, international efforts to tackle space debris, and innovative lunar power solutions from China.
FLTSATCOM 7 (USA 20) (17181)
COSPAR: 1986-096A | Alt Name: FLTSATCOM F7
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 5, 1986
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36B
Launch Vehicle
Atlas G Centaur
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
17181
International Designator
1986-096A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:48:20 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
12.69°
Right Ascension
339.98°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
331.17°
Period
1455.57 min
Mean Motion
0.99 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
FLTSATCOM 7 (USA 20)
Alternative Name
FLTSATCOM F7
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
USNESC/AFSD
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 17181U 86096A 26185.11689840 -.00000131 00000-0 00000-0 0 9992
2 17181 12.6873 339.9824 0040587 331.1659 201.2105 0.98930397152138
Source: Celestrak
Summary
FLTSATCOM 7 (USA 20), also known as FLTSATCOM F7, is a communication satellite owned by USNESC/AFSD and operated by the US military. It was launched on December 5, 1986, from AFETR LC36B using an Atlas G Centaur launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 1.3 meters in length, 2.4 meters in diameter, and a span of 13.2 meters. Its dry mass is 822 kilograms, with a launch mass of 957 kilograms. FLTSATCOM 7 was manufactured by TRW and equipped with 12 transponders for UHF/SHF uplink and UHF downlink communications, along with an experimental EHF package. The satellite's power system includes two deployable solar arrays and batteries. It has a hexagonal cylindrical shape with dish and panel appendages, a radar cross-section of 38.9376 square meters, and was designed to operate for approximately 12 years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.3
Diameter
2.4
Span
13.2
Dry Mass
822
Launch Mass
957
Shape
Hex Cyl + Dish + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
38.9376
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
FLTSATCOM F7
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
TRW
Life Expectancy
12 years
Bus
FLTSATCOM
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
Star 37FM
Equipment
12 transponders with UHF/SHF uplink and UHF downlink, experimental EHF package
Power System
2 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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