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POLAR (23802)
COSPAR: 1996-013A | Alt Name: Polar
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
February 24, 1996
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC2W
Launch Vehicle
Delta 7925-10
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
23802
International Designator
1996-013A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:34:23 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
79.88°
Right Ascension
226.85°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
208.50°
Period
1109.01 min
Mean Motion
1.30 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
POLAR
Alternative Name
Polar
Type
Payload
Status
Partially operational
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 23802U 96013A 26184.98221311 .00000203 00000-0 00000-0 0 9997
2 23802 79.8755 226.8535 6487344 208.5029 90.9548 1.29846112145077
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The POLAR satellite, also known as Wind and designated by NORAD CAT ID 23802, was a scientific mission operated by GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center) under the US ownership. Launched on February 24, 1996, from AFWTR (Cape Canaveral Air Force Station), SLC2W pad, using a Delta 7925-10 launch vehicle, POLAR weighed 1274 kg at launch and had dimensions of 2.1 meters in length, 2.4 meters in diameter, with a span of 130 meters. The satellite was equipped with various scientific instruments such as TIMAS, PWI, Hydra, CEPPAD, CAMMICE, PIXIE, EFI, UVI, VIS, TIDE, and MFE. It was powered by solar cells and batteries and featured a cylindrical shape with antennas. The planned lifetime of POLAR was 2 years but it reached an extended operational period of 12 years. The satellite was manufactured by LMTEW (Lockheed Martin Tactical Defense Systems) and used MR-50 x 4 motors for propulsion.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.1
Diameter
2.4
Span
130
Dry Mass
1005
Launch Mass
1274
Shape
Cyl + Ant
Radar Cross Section
6.0269
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Polar
Purpose
Scientific
Mission
Scientific
Manufacturer
LMTEW
Life Expectancy
2 years (planned), 12 years reached
Bus
Wind
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
MR-50 x 4
Equipment
TIMAS, PWI, Hydra, CEPPAD, CAMMICE, PIXIE, EFI, UVI, VIS, TIDE, MFE
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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