ITALSAT 1 (21055)

COSPAR: 1991-003A | Alt Name: Italsat 1

Image
ITALSAT 1 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

January 15, 1991

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA2

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 44L

Orbital Elements

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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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

ITALSAT 1

Alternative Name

Italsat 1

Type

Payload

Status

Unknown

Owner

ASI

Country

Italy

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
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

Summary
ITALSAT 1 was launched on January 15, 1991, from Guiana Space Centre using an Ariane 44L launch vehicle for communication purposes. The satellite, manufactured by ALEN and operated by ASI, measures 3.5 meters in length with a diameter of 2.2 meters and a span of 21 meters. It has a dry mass of 950 kilograms and was equipped with 9 (+6) Ka-band transponders (both), a Ka-band propagation beacon (#1), L-band, and Ku-band transponder for communication purposes. The satellite's power system consists of two deployable solar arrays and batteries. ITALSAT 1 has a box shape with two panels and an RCS of 3.4358. Its launch mass was 1865 kilograms and its expected lifetime was 6 years (#1), 8 years (#2).
Physical Characteristics

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

Technical Details

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

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