UFO 9 (USA 140) (25501)

COSPAR: 1998-058A | Alt Name: UHF F/O F9

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

October 20, 1998

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

SLC36A

Launch Vehicle

Atlas IIA

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

25501

International Designator

1998-058A

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 19:48:33 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

11.33°

Right Ascension

21.21°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

356.72°

Period

1466.71 min

Mean Motion

0.98 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

UFO 9 (USA 140)

Alternative Name

UHF F/O F9

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

PMW146

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 25501U 98058A   26184.82538991 -.00000210  00000-0  00000-0 0  9993

2 25501  11.3254  21.2081 0011235 356.7186 357.0532  0.98178709 99982

Source: Celestrak

Summary

UFO 9 (USA 140), also known as UHF F/O F9, is a communication satellite manufactured by HSES and launched on October 20, 1998, from the AFETR launch site using an Atlas IIA vehicle at SLC36A. The satellite has dimensions of 6 meters in length, 3.3 meters in diameter, and spans 26.2 meters. It carries UHF, EHF, GBS (Ka-Band) transponders for its communication mission. At launch, it weighed 3200 kg with a dry mass of 1350 kg. The satellite is equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries to power its systems, and its RCS value is 12.1149. Its shape consists of a box design plus two panels. Launched by PMW146 for the US government, it was designed to operate for 14 years.

Physical Characteristics

Length

Diameter

3.3

Span

26.2

Dry Mass

1350

Launch Mass

3200

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

12.1149

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

UFO F9

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

HSES

Life Expectancy

14 years

Bus

HS-601

Configuration

HS-601

Motor

R-4D-11-300

Equipment

UHF, EHF, GBS (Ka-Band) transponders

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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