Space Brief 6 Sep 2025
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NIMBUS 2 (02173)
COSPAR: 1966-040A | Alt Name: Nimbus 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 15, 1966
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
75-1-1
Launch Vehicle
Thor SLV-2A Agena B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
02173
International Designator
1966-040A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:40:59 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
100.53°
Right Ascension
43.99°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
257.67°
Period
107.97 min
Mean Motion
13.34 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
NIMBUS 2
Alternative Name
Nimbus 2
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 02173U 66040A 26185.07013006 -.00000026 00000-0 44123-4 0 9995
2 02173 100.5276 43.9851 0054633 257.6717 258.2572 13.33719183925873
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3.6
Diameter
1.4
Span
3.6
Dry Mass
414
Launch Mass
414
Shape
Cone + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
1.959
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Nimbus C
Purpose
Meteorology, experimental
Mission
Meteorology, experimental
Manufacturer
GEVF
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Nimbus
Configuration
Nimbus Bus
Motor
?
Equipment
AVCS, APT, HRIR, MRIR (only #2)
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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