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FORTE (24920)
COSPAR: 1997-047A | Alt Name: FORTE
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 29, 1997
Launch Site
WRAS
Launch Pad
RW30/12
Launch Vehicle
Pegasus XL
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
24920
International Designator
1997-047A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:04:39 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
69.95°
Right Ascension
336.41°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
257.24°
Period
100.84 min
Mean Motion
14.28 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
FORTE
Alternative Name
FORTE
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
STP
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 24920U 97047A 26184.83657087 .00000207 00000-0 10666-3 0 9990
2 24920 69.9545 336.4132 0024581 257.2440 102.5935 14.27951947501069
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The FORTE satellite, also known as 1997-047A and NORAD CAT ID 24920, was launched on August 29, 1997, from the Wallops Flight Facility (WRAS) using a Pegasus XL launch vehicle. It is owned by STP and manufactured by LANL for experimental purposes. The satellite has dimensions of approximately 2.1 meters in length with a diameter of 0.4 meters and spans 11 meters when its antennas are deployed. FORTE weighs 212 kilograms at launch, the same as its dry mass. It is powered by solar cells and batteries and has a shape described as cylindrical with two antennas attached. The satellite's radar cross-section (RCS) is measured to be 1.3502 square meters. Additional details such as equipment configuration and specific mission objectives are not specified in the provided data.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.1
Diameter
0.4
Span
11
Dry Mass
212
Launch Mass
212
Shape
Cyl + 2 Ant
Radar Cross Section
1.3502
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
FORTE
Purpose
Experimental
Mission
Experimental
Manufacturer
LANL
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
FORTE
Configuration
?
Motor
?
Equipment
?
Power System
Solar cells, 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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