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OPTUS A3 (AUSSAT 3) (18350)
COSPAR: 1987-078A | Alt Name: Aussat K3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 16, 1987
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA1
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 3
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
18350
International Designator
1987-078A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:19:10 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
14.38°
Right Ascension
351.12°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
18.16°
Period
1455.89 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
OPTUS A3 (AUSSAT 3)
Alternative Name
Aussat K3
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
AUSS
Country
Australia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 18350U 87078A 26185.22165067 -.00000198 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 18350 14.3828 351.1187 0005368 18.1600 350.4121 0.98908691 46218
Source: Celestrak
Summary
OPTUS A3 (AUSSAT 3), also known as Aussat K3, is an HS-376 configuration communication satellite owned by AUSS and manufactured by HSES. It was launched on September 16, 1987, from ELA1 launch pad at the Guiana Space Centre using an Ariane 3 launch vehicle. The satellite has a length of 6.6 meters, a diameter of 2.2 meters, and spans 6.6 meters with a dry mass of 500 kg and a launch mass of 653 kg. It is equipped with 15 Ku-band transponders operating at 14/12 GHz for communication purposes and powered by solar cells mounted on its body and drop-skirt, along with batteries. The satellite has an operational lifetime of 7 years and features a cylindrical shape with a radar cross-section (RCS) value of 15.8489.
Physical Characteristics
Length
6.6
Diameter
2.2
Span
6.6
Dry Mass
500
Launch Mass
653
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
15.8489
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Aussat K3
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
HSES
Life Expectancy
7 years
Bus
HS-376
Configuration
HS-376
Motor
TE-M-700-17
Equipment
15 Ku-band transponders operating at 14/12 GHz
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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