Space Brief 6 Jul 2025
Today’s brief covers the delayed launch of Australia's first orbital rocket, China's reusability programs, and the snow-enforced shutdown of a Chilean radio telescope.
MACSAT 2 (M 2) (20608)
COSPAR: 1990-043B | Alt Name: MACSAT 2
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
20608
International Designator
1990-043B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:29:11 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
89.75°
Right Ascension
244.68°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
108.46°
Period
97.25 min
Mean Motion
14.81 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 2 (M 2)
Alternative Name
MACSAT 2
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
DARPA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 20608U 90043B 26185.14526871 .00001172 00000-0 14098-3 0 9994
2 20608 89.7525 244.6842 0083891 108.4585 252.5781 14.80733233940900
Source: Celestrak
Summary
MACSAT 2 (M 2) is an experimental communication satellite designed and owned by DARPA, manufactured by DSI using a MAESTRO Bus configuration known as Ministar. Launched on May 9, 1990, from AFWTR SLC5 using the Scout G-1 launch vehicle, it measures 0.4 meters in length with a diameter of 0.6 meters and a span of 6.1 meters. The satellite has a dry mass of 70 kilograms and is equipped with two UHF transponders for digital store-and-forward communication systems. Its power comes from solar cells and batteries, and it operates using an experimental communication (store and forward) mission designed to last three years. MACSAT 2 features a cylindrical shape augmented by antennas and has a radar cross-section of 0.5296 square meters.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.4
Diameter
0.6
Span
6.1
Dry Mass
70
Launch Mass
70
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.5296
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
MACSAT 2
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
Map
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration
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