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NEAR (23784)
COSPAR: 1996-008A | Alt Name: NEAR Shoemaker
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 17, 1996
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC17B
Launch Vehicle
Delta 7925-8
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
23784
International Designator
1996-008A
Decay Date
2/12/2001
Basic Satellite Info
Name
NEAR
Alternative Name
NEAR Shoemaker
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The NEAR (NEAR Shoemaker) satellite, designated 1996-008A by NORAD and manufactured by APL for GSFC, was launched on February 17, 1996, from Launch Pad LC17B at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station using a Delta 7925-8 launch vehicle. The spacecraft, with dimensions of approximately 2.8 meters in length and 1.5 meters in diameter, featured an octagonal prism shape with a 1.5 m dish antenna and four solar panels. It weighed 468 kilograms dry and had a launch mass of 805 kilograms. Equipped with the MSI, XGRS, NIS, and NLR instruments, NEAR was powered by four deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries, designed to serve as an asteroid orbiter and lander. The mission's propulsion system included a Leros 1 motor, and its primary objective was to conduct detailed studies of near-Earth asteroids. The satellite's operational lifetime was planned for five years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.8
Diameter
1.5
Span
5
Dry Mass
468
Launch Mass
805
Shape
Box + 4 Pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
NEAR
Purpose
Asteroid Orbiter / Lander
Mission
Asteroid Orbiter / Lander
Manufacturer
APL
Life Expectancy
5 years
Bus
NEAR
Configuration
Octagonal Prism, 1.5 m dish antenna
Motor
Leros 1
Equipment
MSI, XGRS, NIS, NLR
Power System
4 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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