Space Brief 26 Aug 2024
Today's briefing covers an exciting new satellite launch, a significant reentry, and unexpected space debris from a fragmentation event.
PAS 6 (24891)
COSPAR: 1997-040A | Alt Name: PAS 6
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 8, 1997
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 44P
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
24891
International Designator
1997-040A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:50:57 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
8.86°
Right Ascension
328.69°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
253.82°
Period
1536.85 min
Mean Motion
0.94 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
PAS 6
Alternative Name
PAS 6
Type
Payload
Status
Unknown
Owner
PAN
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 24891U 97040A 26185.11871840 -.00000138 00000-0 00000-0 0 9999
2 24891 8.8611 328.6949 0683317 253.8153 306.5268 0.93697995 77063
Source: Celestrak
Summary
PAS 6 is a communication satellite with a NORAD catalog ID of 24891 and an object ID of 1997-040A. It was manufactured by LOR, using the SSL-1300 configuration, and launched on August 8, 1997, from ELA2 launch pad at FRGUI with an Ariane 44P rocket. The satellite measures 5.3 meters in length, has a diameter of 2.7 meters, and a span of 27 meters. Its dry mass is 1285 kg, and it was launched with a total mass of 3420 kg. PAS 6 is equipped with 36 Ku-band transponders for communication purposes, powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's shape consists of a box with two panels and has a radar cross-section (RCS) value of 18.6316. It was launched into orbit for the owner PAN to provide communication services.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5.3
Diameter
2.7
Span
27
Dry Mass
1285
Launch Mass
3420
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
18.6316
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
PAS 6
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
LOR
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
FS-1300
Configuration
SSL-1300
Motor
R-4D-11
Equipment
36 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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