DMSP 5D-2 F9 (USA 29) (18822)

COSPAR: 1988-006A | Alt Name: DMSP F-9

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

February 3, 1988

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC3W

Launch Vehicle

Atlas E

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

18822

International Designator

1988-006A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:36:25 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

98.36°

Right Ascension

351.08°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

29.74°

Period

100.78 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

DMSP 5D-2 F9 (USA 29)

Alternative Name

DMSP F-9

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

AFSD

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 18822U 88006A   26185.19195907  .00000256  00000-0  11794-3 0  9994

2 18822  98.3586 351.0823 0006832  29.7397 330.4172 14.28840295998739

Source: Celestrak

Summary

The DMSP 5D-2 F9 (USA 29), also known as DMSP F-9, is a meteorological satellite launched by the US Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (AFSD) on February 3, 1988, from Vandenberg AFB using an Atlas E launch vehicle. It measures 6.9 meters in length with a diameter of 1.5 meters and spans 6.9 meters. The satellite has a dry mass of 773 kg and utilizes a deployable solar array and batteries for power. Equipped with the DMSP Block 5D-2 S-8 payload, it was designed to operate for five years but surpassed expectations by operating for over 22 years. Manufactured by GEEW (General Electric Electronics Water), its shape is described as a box with a pan configuration and has an RCS of 3.341 square meters. The satellite's mission was dedicated to meteorology, providing valuable data for weather forecasting.

Physical Characteristics

Length

6.9

Diameter

1.5

Span

6.9

Dry Mass

773

Launch Mass

773

Shape

Box + Pan

Radar Cross Section

3.341

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

DMSP Block 5D-2 S-8

Purpose

Meteorology

Mission

Meteorology

Manufacturer

GEEW

Life Expectancy

5 years (design); 22 years (reached, #14)

Bus

Block 5D

Configuration

TIROS-N Bus

Motor

Star 37S

Equipment

see above

Power System

Deployable solar array, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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Longitude

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