INTELSAT 26 (IS-26) (24732)

COSPAR: 1997-007A | Alt Name: JCSAT R

Image
INTELSAT 26 (IS-26) Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

February 17, 1997

Launch Pad

LC36B

Launch Vehicle

Atlas IIAS

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

24732

International Designator

1997-007A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:26:24 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

12.30°

Right Ascension

29.40°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

292.71°

Period

1455.90 min

Mean Motion

0.99 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

INTELSAT 26 (IS-26)

Alternative Name

JCSAT R

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

JSAT

Country

Japan

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 24732U 97007A   26185.22667737 -.00000073  00000-0  00000-0 0  9994
2 24732  12.3048  29.3994 0009102 292.7092  64.2798  0.98907955107216

Source: Celestrak

Summary
INTELSAT 26 (IS-26), also known as JCSAT R, is a communication satellite operated by JSAT. It was launched on February 17, 1997, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's LC36B using an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 4 meters in length and 2.8 meters in diameter with a span of 26.2 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. It has a dry mass of 1,600 kilograms and was launched with a total mass of 3,090 kilograms. Equipped with 12 C-band transponders and 28 Ku-band transponders for communication purposes, the satellite is powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The spacecraft design follows the HS-601 bus configuration manufactured by HSES. Its primary mission lasted for about 12 years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

4

Diameter

2.8

Span

26.2

Dry Mass

1600

Launch Mass

3090

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

25.1486

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

JCSAT 4

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

HSES

Life Expectancy

12 years

Bus

HS-601

Configuration

HS-601

Motor

R-4D-11-300

Equipment

12 C-band transponders, 28 Ku-band transponders

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Space Brief 23 Nov 2024

Space Brief 23 Nov 2024

Today's highlights include Canada's and Australia's investment in hypersonic defense, China's successful test of an inflatable space module, and Sweden's support of Ukrainian missile and drone production.

Space Brief 21 Nov 2025

Space Brief 21 Nov 2025

Today's brief covers the Space Force's strategic roadmap, a groundbreaking DARPA mission in Very Low Earth Orbit, and enhanced cyber defenses due to AI-driven threats.

SpaceX Lofts 45 Payloads Including Korean CAS500-2 | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX Lofts 45 Payloads Including Korean CAS500-2 | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rideshare lifted 45 satellites including South Korea's CAS500-2 Earth observer from Vandenberg at 0700 UTC May 3.

SpaceX IPO Surges 20%; China Debuts Tallest Rocket | KeepTrack Space Brief

SpaceX IPO Surges 20%; China Debuts Tallest Rocket | KeepTrack Space Brief

SpaceX shares jump 20% on first trading day after historic IPO. China launches tallest rocket while LandSpace preps second landing attempt. Tracking data.

Space Brief 28 Aug 2024

Space Brief 28 Aug 2024

A Falcon 9 booster fails to land, increasing GPS and PNT significance for national security, and NASA's SLS mobile launch platform costs soar.

Space Force Cancels OCX GPS Ground System, Space Brief 21 Apr 2026

Space Force Cancels OCX GPS Ground System, Space Brief 21 Apr 2026

Space Force cancels the OCX GPS ground system after RTX failures and stands up a cislunar task force. SpaceX launches the 10th and final GPS III.

The Day the Soviets Built a World in Orbit

The Day the Soviets Built a World in Orbit

Forty years ago today, the USSR launched a 20-ton aluminum cylinder into low Earth orbit and called it 'Peace.' Over the next 15 years, Mir would host 104 people from 12 countries, survive a fire and a collision, and quietly teach humanity how to live in space.

X Report 29 Jul 2025

X Report 29 Jul 2025

Today’s brief highlights developments including the Crew-11 launch preparations and the impact of Starlink satellites on radio telescope observations.