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INMARSAT 3-F1 (23839)
COSPAR: 1996-020A | Alt Name: INMARSAT III F-1
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 3, 1996
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36A
Launch Vehicle
Atlas IIA
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
23839
International Designator
1996-020A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:47:40 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
10.64°
Right Ascension
46.48°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
75.32°
Period
1440.31 min
Mean Motion
1.00 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
INMARSAT 3-F1
Alternative Name
INMARSAT III F-1
Type
Payload
Status
Backup
Owner
INMAR
Country
INMARSAT
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 23839U 96020A 26185.19977796 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 9999
2 23839 10.6356 46.4766 0004053 75.3170 119.1638 0.99978382110428
Source: Celestrak
Summary
INMARSAT 3-F1, also known as INMARSAT III F-1, is a communication satellite launched on April 3, 1996, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's LC36A pad using an Atlas IIA launch vehicle. The satellite measures 7.6 meters in length and has a diameter of 2.1 meters with a span of 20.7 meters. It weighs 1032 kilograms at launch and has a dry mass of 792 kilograms. Equipped with 22 (+11) L-band transponders (22W power amplifiers), it also supports C-band uplink communications. The satellite's power system includes two deployable solar arrays and batteries, while its shape is described as box-like with two panels. Manufactured by LMTEW, INMARSAT 3-F1 has an operational lifetime of 13 years and was owned by INMAR for the purpose of communication services.
Physical Characteristics
Length
7.6
Diameter
2.1
Span
20.7
Dry Mass
792
Launch Mass
1032
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
1.1784
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
INMARSAT III F-1
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
LMTEW
Life Expectancy
13 years
Bus
AS4000
Configuration
AS-4000
Motor
Star 37
Equipment
22 (+11) L-band transponders (22W Power amplifiers), C-band uplink
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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