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GSTAR 4 (20946)
COSPAR: 1990-100B | Alt Name: Gstar 4
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 20, 1990
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 42P
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
20946
International Designator
1990-100B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:52:38 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
14.29°
Right Ascension
9.97°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
354.25°
Period
1452.45 min
Mean Motion
0.99 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
GSTAR 4
Alternative Name
Gstar 4
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
GTE
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 20946U 90100B 26185.11989166 .00000071 00000-0 00000-0 0 9992
2 20946 14.2881 9.9723 0007411 354.2525 16.0916 0.99142669 46982
Source: Celestrak
Summary
GSTAR 4, also known as Gstar 4, is a communication satellite owned by GTE and manufactured by GEEW. It was launched on November 20, 1990, from the ELA2 launch pad at the FRGUI site using an Ariane 42P rocket. The spacecraft measures 2.8 meters in length, has a diameter of 1.3 meters, and a span of 15.3 meters. It was equipped with 16 (+5) Ku-band transponders and powered by two deployable solar arrays along with batteries for energy storage. At launch, GSTAR 4 had a mass of 665 kilograms and a dry mass of 510 kilograms. Its shape is described as box-shaped with two panels, and it has an RCS (Reflectivity Cross Section) value of 8.5781. The satellite's motor type is TE-M-700-18, and its mission purpose was communication services.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.8
Diameter
1.3
Span
15.3
Dry Mass
510
Launch Mass
665
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
8.5781
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Gstar 4
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
GEEW
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
AS3000
Configuration
AS-3000
Motor
TE-M-700-18
Equipment
16 (+5) 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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