Space Brief 24 Jan 2025
Today's highlights include China's launch of classified TJS-14 satellite, Boeing's defense program losses, and the fourth batch launch of Thousand Sails satellites.
DIRECTV 6 (TEMPO 2) (24748)
COSPAR: 1997-011A | Alt Name: Tempo 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
March 8, 1997
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC36A
Launch Vehicle
Atlas IIA
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
24748
International Designator
1997-011A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:35:20 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
13.15°
Right Ascension
22.62°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
324.65°
Period
1454.08 min
Mean Motion
0.99 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
DIRECTV 6 (TEMPO 2)
Alternative Name
Tempo 2
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
TEMPO
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 24748U 97011A 26185.19121010 -.00000030 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994
2 24748 13.1497 22.6176 0024580 324.6463 207.2575 0.99031503106659
Source: Celestrak
Summary
DIRECTV 6 (also known as TEMPO 2) is a communication satellite launched by TEMPO on March 8, 1997, from Launch Complex 36A at the Air Force Eastern Test Range using an Atlas IIA launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 5 meters in length and has a diameter of 2.4 meters with a span of 27.3 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. It was manufactured by LOR (Lockheed Martin) based on the FS-1300 bus configuration, SSL-1300 model. The satellite had a launch mass of 3558 kg and a dry mass of 1500 kg. Equipped with 32 Ku-band transponders for communication purposes, it uses two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply. Its shape is described as "Box + 2 Pan" with an RCS (Reaction Control System) value of 12.5892.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5
Diameter
2.4
Span
27.3
Dry Mass
1500
Launch Mass
3558
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
12.5892
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Tempo 2
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
LOR
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
FS-1300
Configuration
SSL-1300
Motor
R-4D-11
Equipment
32 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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
SpaceX Wins $4.16B Space Force Contract, X Report 3 Jun 2026
SpaceX wins a $4.16 billion Space Force satellite contract to track airborne threats worldwide, while dual-pad launches add 53 Starlink satellites.
Starship V3 Targets May 19 Debut; FCC OKs $2.4B Spectrum Deal | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX targets May 19 for Starship V3's first flight from Pad 2 as the FCC approves a $2.4B EchoStar spectrum deal for Starlink D2D.
Space Brief 16 Dec 2024
Today's briefing covers the ULA's military application for Vulcan's upper stage, FAA's efforts to expedite launch licensing, and a fascinating flyby of Mercury by BepiColombo.
Space Brief 10 Nov 2025
Today's brief covers China's record-breaking launch year, SpaceX's continued Starlink deployments, Blue Origin's launch challenges, and innovations in satellite maneuverability.
X Report 18 Sep 2025
SpaceX gears up for a busy week with new Starship testing and enhanced Starlink capabilities on the horizon.
X Report 27 Nov 2025
SpaceX's plans for the Transporter-15 mission are temporarily delayed as the Falcon 9 launch was scrubbed. The next launch attempt is now targeted for Friday, Nov. 28, with hopes of delivering 140 payloads into sun-synchronous orbit.
The Day America Reached Orbit
Sixty-three years ago, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth, piloting Friendship 7 through three historic orbits that transformed the Space Race