TRACE (25280)

COSPAR: 1998-020A | Alt Name: TRACE

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

April 2, 1998

Launch Site

WRAS

Launch Pad

RW30/12

Launch Vehicle

Pegasus XL

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

25280

International Designator

1998-020A

Decay Date

7/18/2025

Basic Satellite Info

Name

TRACE

Alternative Name

TRACE

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

GSFC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

TRACE (1998-020A) is a solar observatory satellite operated by GSFC and launched on April 2, 1998, from the Wallops Flight Facility using a Pegasus XL launch vehicle. It features a 3-axis stabilized configuration with four solar panels for power generation. The spacecraft measures 1.6 meters in length, has a diameter of 0.5 meters, and spans 2.5 meters across its solar arrays. Its dry mass is 250 kilograms, and it was equipped with a 30 cm Cassegrain UV telescope for observations. Designed to operate for one year, TRACE surpassed expectations by operating for twelve years. The satellite's shape consists of a box with cylindrical elements and two panels.

Physical Characteristics

Length

1.6

Diameter

0.5

Span

2.5

Dry Mass

250

Launch Mass

250

Shape

Box + Cyl + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

1.5228

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

TRACE

Purpose

Solar observatory

Mission

Solar observatory

Manufacturer

GSFC

Life Expectancy

1 year (design), 12 years reached

Bus

SMEX

Configuration

3-axis stabilized, 4 solar panels

Motor

Equipment

30 cm Cassegrain UV telescope

Power System

4 deployable fixed solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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