X Report 12 Jul 2025
SpaceX prepares for the Crew-11 astronaut mission launch, while Starlink continues to expand its satellite network in orbit.
PALAPA C2 (23864)
COSPAR: 1996-030A | Alt Name: Palapa C2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 16, 1996
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 44L
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
23864
International Designator
1996-030A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:18:08 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
11.70°
Right Ascension
38.42°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
112.04°
Period
1454.49 min
Mean Motion
0.99 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
PALAPA C2
Alternative Name
Palapa C2
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
SINDO/PSN
Country
Indonesia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 23864U 96030A 26184.76260359 -.00000053 00000-0 00000-0 0 9999
2 23864 11.6950 38.4202 0007528 112.0395 244.7714 0.99003876109875
Source: Celestrak
Summary
PALAPA C2 is a communication satellite launched on May 16, 1996, from ELA2 at Kourou Launch Site using an Ariane 44L launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 4.5 meters in length and has a diameter of 2.8 meters with a span of 20 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. It was manufactured by HSES (Hughes Space and Communications Company) for the mission purpose of communication, equipped with 30 C-band transponders and 4 Ku-band transponders to facilitate this goal. The satellite has a dry mass of 1669 kg and a launch mass of 2989 kg, powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. It operates on an R-4D-11-300 motor and is owned by SINDO/PSN (Indonesian Satellite Company). The satellite's shape consists of a box with two panels and has an RCS value of 25.1188. PALAPA C2 was designed for a 15-year lifetime, serving its mission purpose since its launch date in 1996.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4.5
Diameter
2.8
Span
20
Dry Mass
1669
Launch Mass
2989
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
25.1188
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Palapa C2
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
HSES
Life Expectancy
15 years
Bus
HS-601
Configuration
HS-601
Motor
R-4D-11-300
Equipment
30 C-band transponders, 4 Ku-band transponders
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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