Space Brief 16 Aug 2025
Today's brief covers ULA's new mission for the US Space Force, China's moon rocket test, delays in the DARC radar system, and SpaceX's Starlink launches.
EUTELSAT 48C (25673)
COSPAR: 1999-018A | Alt Name: Eutelsat W3
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 12, 1999
Launch Site
Launch Pad
SLC36A
Launch Vehicle
Atlas IIAS
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25673
International Designator
1999-018A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:45:48 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
10.59°
Right Ascension
50.56°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
108.58°
Period
1462.99 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
EUTELSAT 48C
Alternative Name
Eutelsat W3
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
EUTEL
Country
EUTELSAT
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25673U 99018A 26185.19847795 .00000017 00000-0 00000-0 0 9990
2 25673 10.5883 50.5558 0007680 108.5795 74.7775 0.98428809 41723
Source: Celestrak
Summary
EUTELSAT 48C (also known as Eutelsat W3) is a communication satellite built by ALC and operates under the ownership of EUTEL. Launched on April 12, 1999, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's SLC36A using an Atlas IIAS launch vehicle, it has a bus configuration Spacebus-3000B2 with dimensions measuring 4.6 meters in length and 2.5 meters in diameter. The satellite spans 29 meters when solar arrays are deployed and has a dry mass of 1380 kilograms. It was equipped with 24 (+10) Ku-band transponders for communication purposes, powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. EUTELSAT 48C has an expected lifetime of 12 years and its shape is described as "Box + 2 Pan" with a RCS (Reflectivity Cross Section) value of 19.3308.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4.6
Diameter
2.5
Span
29
Dry Mass
1380
Launch Mass
3177
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
19.3308
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Eutelsat W3
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
ALC
Life Expectancy
12 years
Bus
Spacebus 3000B2
Configuration
Spacebus-3000B2
Motor
S400
Equipment
24 (+10) Ku-band teansponders
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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