DMSP 5D-2 F12 (USA 106) (23233)

COSPAR: 1994-057A | Alt Name: DMSP F-12

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

August 29, 1994

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC3W

Launch Vehicle

Atlas E

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

23233

International Designator

1994-057A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:55:12 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

98.67°

Right Ascension

234.95°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

219.67°

Period

101.69 min

Mean Motion

14.16 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

DMSP 5D-2 F12 (USA 106)

Alternative Name

DMSP F-12

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

AFSMC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 23233U 94057A   26185.16333602  .00000052  00000-0  48176-4 0  9991

2 23233  98.6678 234.9502 0010219 219.6715 140.3713 14.16074911644375

Source: Celestrak

Summary

The DMSP 5D-2 F12 (USA 106), also known as DMSP F-12, is a meteorological satellite launched by the United States on August 29, 1994, from Vandenberg Air Force Base using an Atlas E launch vehicle. It operates with a design lifetime of 5 years but has reached 22 years in service, making it part of mission number 14. The spacecraft measures 3.4 meters in length and 1.2 meters in diameter, with a span of 5 meters. It weighs approximately 760 kilograms at launch and during its dry mass phase. Equipped with deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply, the satellite's shape consists of a box structure augmented by panels. Launched as part of the Block 5D series, it uses the TIROS-N Bus configuration and is owned by AFSMC (Air Force Space Command). The mission payload includes DMSP Block 5D-2 S-11 equipment for meteorological purposes. Manufactured by MMAS (Martin Marietta AstroSpace), it employs a Star 37S motor for its operations.

Physical Characteristics

Length

3.4

Diameter

1.2

Span

Dry Mass

760

Launch Mass

760

Shape

Box + Pan

Radar Cross Section

3.254

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

DMSP Block 5D-2 S-11

Purpose

Meteorology

Mission

Meteorology

Manufacturer

MMAS

Life Expectancy

5 years (design); 22 years (reached, #14)

Bus

Block 5D

Configuration

TIROS-N Bus

Motor

Star 37S

Equipment

see above

Power System

Deployable solar array, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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