Project Vanguard
How the U.S. Navy's Vanguard rocket became a Cold War icon, launched the world's oldest satellite still in orbit, and laid the groundwork for NASA's space exploration efforts.
ITAMSAT (IO-26) (22826)
COSPAR: 1993-061D | Alt Name: Healthsat 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 26, 1993
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 40
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
22826
International Designator
1993-061D
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:31:59 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
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Inclination
98.68°
Right Ascension
252.43°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
40.33°
Period
100.60 min
Mean Motion
14.31 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
ITAMSAT (IO-26)
Alternative Name
Healthsat 2
Type
Payload
Status
Partially operational
Owner
SATEL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 22826U 93061D 26185.10554604 .00000131 00000-0 66196-4 0 9993
2 22826 98.6821 252.4316 0009570 40.3301 319.8590 14.31374233709733
Source: Celestrak
Summary
ITAMSAT (IO-26), also known as Healthsat 2, is a US amateur radio communication satellite manufactured by SSTL and launched on September 26, 1993, from the ELA2 launch pad at FRGUI using an Ariane 40 launch vehicle. It has dimensions of 0.6 meters in length, 0.4 meters in diameter, and a span of 6.5 meters. The satellite weighs 50 kilograms both dry and at launch and is equipped with solar cells and batteries for power supply. ITAMSAT operates on the AMSAT-NA Microsat configuration and features a Digital Transponder - Mode JD as its equipment. Its shape is described as Box + Ant, and it has an RCS of 0.1624. The satellite's owner is SATEL, with SSTL noted as the manufacturer.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.6
Diameter
0.4
Span
6.5
Dry Mass
50
Launch Mass
50
Shape
Box + Ant
Radar Cross Section
0.1624
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Healthsat 2
Purpose
Amateur radio communication
Mission
Amateur radio communication
Manufacturer
SSTL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
UoSAT
Configuration
AMSAT-NA Microsat
Motor
None
Equipment
Digital Transponder - Mode JD
Power System
Solar cells, 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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