Space Brief 27 Oct 2024
Today's brief covers SpaceX's latest Starlink launch, updates on Crew-8's return, and preparations for the SLS Artemis II mission.
Launch Date
January 15, 1991
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 44L
NORAD ID
21055
International Designator
1991-003A
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 14:55:52 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
14.55°
Right Ascension
351.39°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
56.48°
Period
1440.45 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
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Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Name
ITALSAT 1
Alternative Name
Italsat 1
Type
Status
Owner
ASI
Country
Italy
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
1 21055U 91003A 26183.62213988 .00000085 00000-0 00000-0 0 9998
2 21055 14.5454 351.3854 0013391 56.4829 296.4817 0.99969071117239
Source: Celestrak
Length
3.5
Diameter
2.2
Span
21
Dry Mass
950
Launch Mass
1865
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
3.4358
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Payload
Italsat F1
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
ALEN
Life Expectancy
6 years (#1), 8 years (#2)
Bus
Italsat
Configuration
GeoBus (Italsat Bus)
Motor
R-4D-11
Equipment
9 (+6) Ka-band transponders (both), Ka-band propagation beacon (#1), L-band, Ku-band transponder
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Today's brief covers SpaceX's latest Starlink launch, updates on Crew-8's return, and preparations for the SLS Artemis II mission.
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