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NATO 4A (21047)
COSPAR: 1991-001A | Alt Name: NATO IVA
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 8, 1991
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17B
Launch Vehicle
Delta 7925
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
21047
International Designator
1991-001A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:33:34 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
13.02°
Right Ascension
354.68°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
223.83°
Period
1465.12 min
Mean Motion
0.98 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
NATO 4A
Alternative Name
NATO IVA
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
NATO
Country
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 21047U 91001A 26185.23165459 -.00000194 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 21047 13.0240 354.6846 0004440 223.8322 118.0506 0.98285384128285
Source: Celestrak
Summary
NATO 4A, also known as NATO IVA, is a military communication satellite with NORAD catalog ID 21047 and object ID 1991-001A. Launched on January 8, 1991, from Launch Complex 17B at the Air Force Eastern Test Range using a Delta 7925 launch vehicle, it operates with a configuration known as ECS-Bus. The satellite has dimensions of 2.1 meters in length and 1.9 meters in diameter, with a span of 16 meters when its components are deployed. It weighs 731 kg dry and had an initial launch mass of 1430 kg. Equipped with four SHF transponders and two UHF transponders for communication, it is powered by two deployable solar arrays along with batteries. Manufactured by BAES and owned by NATO, its purpose is military communication, and it has a reported lifetime of 7 years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.1
Diameter
1.9
Span
16
Dry Mass
731
Launch Mass
1430
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
5.0119
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
NATO 4A
Purpose
Military communication
Mission
Military communication
Manufacturer
BAES
Life Expectancy
7 years
Bus
ECS
Configuration
ECS-Bus
Motor
TE-M-700-19
Equipment
4 SHF transponders, 2 UHF 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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