Space Brief 8 Jan 2025
Today's highlights include China's launch of the Shijian-25 for on-orbit refueling tests, major Pentagon contracts for solid rocket motors and hypersonic testing, and the US Space Force's record-setting year of launches.
SAKURA-3A (CS-3A) (18877)
COSPAR: 1988-012A | Alt Name: Sakura 3A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 19, 1988
Launch Site
TANSC
Launch Pad
N
Launch Vehicle
H-1
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
18877
International Designator
1988-012A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:08:32 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
15.22°
Right Ascension
351.58°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
331.91°
Period
1467.32 min
Mean Motion
0.98 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SAKURA-3A (CS-3A)
Alternative Name
Sakura 3A
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
NASDA/TSCJ
Country
Japan
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 18877U 88012A 26184.75593022 -.00000210 00000-0 00000-0 0 9998
2 18877 15.2201 351.5827 0008276 331.9061 35.9805 0.98137851127834
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The SAKURA-3A (CS-3A) satellite was launched on February 19, 1988, from Tanegashima Space Center using an H-1 launch vehicle for a communication mission by NASDA/TSCJ. It has dimensions of 3.6 meters in length and 2.2 meters in diameter with the same span measurement. The satellite's dry mass is 455 kg, while its launch mass was 565 kg. It carries 2 C-band transponders (with an additional one) and 10 Ka-band transponders (with a potential of five more), equipped with solar cells and batteries for power supply. The satellite’s operational lifespan is expected to be seven years, manufactured by MELCO under the CS-3 bus configuration.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3.6
Diameter
2.2
Span
3.6
Dry Mass
455
Launch Mass
565
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
6.1699
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
CS-3A
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
MELCO
Life Expectancy
7 years
Bus
CS 3
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
TE-M-700-5
Equipment
2 (+1) C-band transponders 4W TWTA, 180 MHz bandwidth, EIRP max 29 dBW 10 (+5) Ka-band transponders 4.2W TWTA, 100 MHz bandwidth, EIRP max 37 dBW
Power System
Solar cells, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 11 Jan 2025
Starship Flight 7 scheduled for Jan 13, SpaceX sets Falcon 9 record, and NRO expands spy satellite constellation.
SpaceX Plans Three Launches This Week Including ISRO Rideshare | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX targets three launches this week including a rideshare mission with India's ISRO into Sun-Synchronous Orbit. Starlink network continues expanding with ongoing satellite deployments.
X Report 29 Nov 2024
SpaceX advances Starship development while planning future replacements for Falcon and Dragon.
X Report 2 May 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 28 more Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, marking another milestone in its satellite constellation expansion.
B1067 Sets 36-Flight Booster Record on Starlink 10-42 | KeepTrack X Report
Booster B1067 hit 36 flights on July 9, while SpaceX files to expand Starlink to 100,000 satellites at 4,400 lbs each.
Pentagon Orders 30,000 One-Way Drones; Sierra Space Raises $550M | KeepTrack Space Brief
Pentagon to order 30,000 attritable drones within days via Gauntlet competition. Meanwhile, Sierra Space closes $550M Series C funding round for national security spaceplane applications.
X Report 24 Apr 2025
SpaceX continues its historic launch cadence, includes Starlink expansion and business strategies in focus.