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SWAS (25560)
COSPAR: 1998-071A | Alt Name: SWAS
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 6, 1998
Launch Site
WRAS
Launch Pad
RW30/12
Launch Vehicle
Pegasus XL
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25560
International Designator
1998-071A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:49:52 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
69.89°
Right Ascension
183.53°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
242.69°
Period
95.38 min
Mean Motion
15.10 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
SWAS
Alternative Name
SWAS
Type
Payload
Status
Backup
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25560U 98071A 26185.24297071 .00002799 00000-0 17967-3 0 9997
2 25560 69.8939 183.5320 0008275 242.6949 117.3373 15.09703087499843
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The Satellite with Autonomous Weights in Space (SWAS) is an astronomy satellite, specifically designed for sub-millimeter wave observations, launched on December 6, 1998, from the Wallops Flight Facility using a Pegasus XL launch vehicle. It has a NORAD catalog ID of 25560 and an object ID of 1998-071A. The satellite is owned by GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center) and was manufactured by the same entity. Its dimensions are 1.7 meters in length, 1 meter in diameter, and it has a span of 2 meters with a dry mass of 282 kilograms. SWAS is equipped with a 55 x 71 cm elliptical off-axis Cassegrain telescope and submillimeter radiometers for its mission purposes. The satellite's configuration includes three-axis stabilization and two deployable fixed solar panels, complemented by body-mounted solar arrays and batteries for power generation. Its shape consists of a cylinder with two panels, and it has an RCS (Reflective Cross Section) value of 1.8056 square meters.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.7
Diameter
1
Span
2
Dry Mass
282
Launch Mass
282
Shape
Cyl+2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
1.8056
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
SWAS
Purpose
Astronomy, sub-mm wave
Mission
Astronomy, sub-mm wave
Manufacturer
GSFC
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
SMEX
Configuration
3 axis stabilized, 4 deployable, fixed solar panels and one body-mounted
Motor
?
Equipment
55 x 71 cm elliptical off-axis Cassegrain telescope, submillimeter radiometers
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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