The Day America Gained New Eyes on Mars
Fifty-six years ago, a revolutionary spacecraft launched toward the Red Planet after being saved from disaster by two quick-thinking technicians who risked their lives to prevent a rocket collapse
ORFEUS-SPAS (24661)
COSPAR: 1996-065B | Alt Name: ORFEUS-SPAS
DECAYED
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 19, 1996
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC39B
Launch Vehicle
Space Shuttle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
24661
International Designator
1996-065B
Decay Date
12/7/1996
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ORFEUS-SPAS
Alternative Name
ORFEUS-SPAS
Type
Payload
Status
Decayed
Owner
DLR
Country
Germany
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Summary
The ORFEUS-SPAS satellite, with NORAD ID 24661 and OBJECT_ID 1996-065B, is an Astro-SPAS-Platform configured retrievable satellite designed for UV Astronomy missions. Launched on November 19, 1996, from LC39B at the Kennedy Space Center by a Space Shuttle, it became stable the following day. The satellite, manufactured by DASAO and owned by DLR (German Aerospace Center), measures 2.5 meters in length with a diameter and span of 4.5 meters each, weighing 3572 kg both at launch and dry mass. Equipped with FUV-Spectrometer, EUV-Spectrometer, and IMAPS, it uses batteries for power supply. Its shape is described as Box + Cyl, with an RCS value of 8.7299.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.5
Diameter
4.5
Span
4.5
Dry Mass
3572
Launch Mass
3572
Shape
Box + Cyl
Radar Cross Section
8.7299
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
ASTRO-SPAS
Purpose
UV Astronomy, retrievable satellite
Mission
UV Astronomy, retrievable satellite
Manufacturer
DASAO
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
SPAS
Configuration
Astro-SPAS-Platform
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
FUV-Spectrometer, EUV-Spectrometer, IMAPS
Power System
Batteries
ADCS
Unknown
Transmitter Frequency
Unknown
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