MACSAT 1 (M 1) (20607)

COSPAR: 1990-043A | Alt Name: MACSAT 1

Image
MACSAT 1 (M 1) Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

May 9, 1990

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC5

Launch Vehicle

Scout G-1

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

20607

International Designator

1990-043A

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 21:54:06 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

89.75°

Right Ascension

243.81°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

299.61°

Period

97.61 min

Mean Motion

14.75 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

MACSAT 1 (M 1)

Alternative Name

MACSAT 1

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

DARPA

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 20607U 90043A   26184.91257757  .00000502  00000-0  67573-4 0  9994
2 20607  89.7516 243.8068 0086993 299.6051  59.6523 14.75197474916848

Source: Celestrak

Summary
MACSAT 1 (M 1) is an experimental communication satellite launched by DARPA on May 9, 1990, from AFWTR using a Scout G-1 launch vehicle from SLC5 pad. The spacecraft has dimensions of 0.4 meters in length and 0.6 meters in diameter with a span of 6.1 meters, featuring a Cyl + Ant shape and equipped with solar cells and batteries for power. It weighs 70 kilograms both at launch and dry mass. MACSAT 1 is based on the MAESTRO Bus configuration, uses 2 UHF transponders for digital store-and-forward communication, and was designed to operate for approximately three years. The satellite's RCS value is 0.3502, indicating its reflective properties.
Physical Characteristics

Length

0.4

Diameter

0.6

Span

6.1

Dry Mass

70

Launch Mass

70

Shape

Cyl + Ant

Radar Cross Section

0.3502

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

MACSAT 1

Purpose

Experimental communication (store and forward)

Mission

Experimental communication (store and forward)

Manufacturer

DSI

Life Expectancy

3 years (design)

Bus

Ministar

Configuration

MAESTRO Bus

Motor

None

Equipment

2 UHF transponders digital store and forward communications system

Power System

Solar cells, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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