Space Brief 26 Nov 2024
Today's headlines include new launch schedules, military industrial base challenges, and NASA's exploration of historic Cold War sites. Discover significant space events and satellite insights.
COBE (20322)
COSPAR: 1989-089A | Alt Name: COBE
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 18, 1989
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC2W
Launch Vehicle
Delta 5920-8
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
20322
International Designator
1989-089A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:43:28 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.90°
Right Ascension
187.05°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
38.69°
Period
102.46 min
Mean Motion
14.05 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
COBE
Alternative Name
COBE
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 20322U 89089A 26185.28018584 .00000152 00000-0 12066-3 0 9997
2 20322 98.8962 187.0535 0009217 38.6881 332.1797 14.05468759877064
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The COBE satellite, officially designated as 1989-089A and NORAD_CAT_ID 20322, was launched on November 18, 1989, from AFWTR SLC2W using a Delta 5920-8 launch vehicle. It is owned and operated by GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center) in the United States for cosmology purposes. The spacecraft has a hexagonal prism configuration with three deployable solar arrays and a deployable sunshade, measuring 4.9 meters in length and 2.2 meters in diameter, with a span of 8.4 meters. COBE's dry mass is 2,206 kg, which is also its launch mass. Its payload includes FIRAS, DMR, DIRBE, and Cryostat equipment for cosmological observations. The satellite uses three deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries for power supply.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4.9
Diameter
2.2
Span
8.4
Dry Mass
2206
Launch Mass
2206
Shape
Hex Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
11.2647
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
COBE
Purpose
Cosmology
Mission
Cosmology
Manufacturer
GSFC
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
COBE
Configuration
Hexaginal prism, 3 solar arrays, deployable sunshade
Motor
?
Equipment
FIRAS, DMR, DIRBE, Cryostat
Power System
3 deployable fixed 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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