Space Brief 14 Dec 2024
Today’s Space Brief covers significant developments such as SpaceX’s latest Starlink launch, the US Space Force testing modular satellite technology, and key long-range missile tests by the Pentagon.
SPACENET 3R (18951)
COSPAR: 1988-018A | Alt Name: Spacenet 3R
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 11, 1988
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA1
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 3
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
18951
International Designator
1988-018A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:54:48 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
14.70°
Right Ascension
359.56°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
267.09°
Period
1444.84 min
Mean Motion
1.00 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
SPACENET 3R
Alternative Name
Spacenet 3R
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
GTE
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 18951U 88018A 26184.91306265 -.00000346 00000-0 00000-0 0 9996
2 18951 14.7002 359.5571 0002490 267.0920 117.5753 0.99665187124788
Source: Celestrak
Summary
SPACENET 3R is a communication satellite identified by NORAD as CAT ID 18951 and OBJECT ID 1988-018A. It was manufactured by GEEW and launched on March 11, 1988, from the ELA1 launch pad at FRGUI using an Ariane 3 rocket. The satellite has dimensions of 2.9 meters in length, 1.3 meters in diameter, and a span of 14.3 meters. It weighs 674 kg at launch and 350 kg dry mass. Equipped with 18 (+3) C-band and 6 (+1) Ku-band transponders for communication purposes, SPACENET 3R is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's shape is described as a box with two panels and has a radar cross-section of 7.7276 square meters. It is owned by GTE and operated for communication services.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.9
Diameter
1.3
Span
14.3
Dry Mass
350
Launch Mass
674
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
7.7276
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Spacenet 3R
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
GEEW
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
AS3000
Configuration
AS-3000
Motor
TE-M-700-18
Equipment
18 (+3) C-band, 6 (+1) Ku-band transponders
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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