X Report 9 Dec 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 29 Starlink satellites on the record-breaking 32nd flight of its Falcon 9 rocket. Elon Musk discusses a potential future as a Type II civilization, emphasizing the role of AI and satellite technology.
METEOR 2-17 (18820)
COSPAR: 1988-005A | Alt Name: Meteor-2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 30, 1988
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC32/1
Launch Vehicle
Tsiklon-3
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
18820
International Designator
1988-005A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:53:21 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
82.54°
Right Ascension
310.04°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
35.84°
Period
103.92 min
Mean Motion
13.86 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
METEOR 2-17
Alternative Name
Meteor-2
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
UNKS/GMS
Country
USSR
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 18820U 88005A 26185.28705392 .00000096 00000-0 71184-4 0 9998
2 18820 82.5439 310.0355 0017177 35.8421 348.5002 13.85661043942559
Source: Celestrak
Summary
METEOR 2-17, also known as Meteor-2 No. 20, is a meteorology satellite operated by UNKS/GMS and manufactured by VNIEM. Launched on January 30, 1988, from the PLMSC LC32/1 launch pad using the Tsiklon-3 vehicle, it carries equipment including TV, IR, SM, and RMK-2 sensors for meteorological purposes. The satellite measures 4.5 meters in length with a diameter of 1.4 meters and a span of 4.5 meters, has a dry mass of 1500 kg, and was also launched at this same mass. Its power is supplied by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. METEOR 2-17 uses a Cyl + 2 Pan shape design with an SP-1 bus configuration and a RCS value of 5.0379.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4.5
Diameter
1.4
Span
4.5
Dry Mass
1500
Launch Mass
1500
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
5.0379
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Meteor-2 No. 20
Purpose
Meteorology
Mission
Meteorology
Manufacturer
VNIEM
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Meteor-2
Configuration
SP-1 bus
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
TV, IR, SM, RMK-2
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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