OLYMPUS (20122)

COSPAR: 1989-053A | Alt Name: Olympus

Image
OLYMPUS Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

July 12, 1989

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA1

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 3

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

20122

International Designator

1989-053A

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 22:03:33 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

12.22°

Right Ascension

333.81°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

354.11°

Period

1420.52 min

Mean Motion

1.01 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

OLYMPUS

Alternative Name

Olympus

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

ESA

Country

European Space Agency

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 20122U 89053A   26184.91913804 -.00000257  00000-0  00000-0 0  9993
2 20122  12.2245 333.8120 0011730 354.1108 194.5357  1.01371010121034

Source: Celestrak

Summary
Olympus was a communication and experimental satellite launched by ESA on July 12, 1989, from Guiana Space Centre using an Ariane 3 launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 5.6 meters in length with a diameter of 2.7 meters and span of 25.7 meters. It has a dry mass of 1200 kg and was launched with a total mass of 2595 kg. Olympus is equipped with multiple Ku-band and Ka-band transponders, including BSS and SMS-transponders as well as a propagation beacon operating in Ku-/Ka-bands. Power is supplied by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's design includes a box shape with two panels and was manufactured by BAES (British Aerospace). It had a planned lifetime of 5 years and used an R-4D-11 motor for propulsion, orbiting in support of communication purposes.
Physical Characteristics

Length

5.6

Diameter

2.7

Span

25.7

Dry Mass

1200

Launch Mass

2595

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

6.3246

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Olympus

Purpose

Communication, experimental

Mission

Communication, experimental

Manufacturer

BAES

Life Expectancy

5 years

Bus

L-SAT

Configuration

L-Sat Bus

Motor

R-4D-11

Equipment

2 Ku-band BSS transponder, 4 Ku-band SMS-transponders, 2 Ka-band transponders, Ku-/Ka-band propagation beacon

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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