The Day Earth Became a Pale Blue Dot
Thirty-five years ago, Voyager 1 captured a revolutionary series of images from the edge of our solar system, forever changing how humanity sees its place in the cosmos
GLOBALSTAR M050 (25908)
COSPAR: 1999-049B | Alt Name: Globalstar M050
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
September 22, 1999
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC1
Launch Vehicle
Soyuz-U-PVB
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
25908
International Designator
1999-049B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:39:14 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
52.00°
Right Ascension
148.35°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
71.01°
Period
119.26 min
Mean Motion
12.07 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
GLOBALSTAR M050
Alternative Name
Globalstar M050
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
GLOBT
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 25908U 99049B 26185.15225626 -.00000153 00000-0 -73031-3 0 9994
2 25908 51.9967 148.3499 0009120 71.0105 302.3257 12.07467671194330
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The GLOBALSTAR M050 satellite, also known as Globalstar M050, was launched on September 22, 1999, from TYMSC LC1 using a Soyuz-U-PVB launch vehicle. It has a configuration of LS-400 and is owned by GLOBT. The spacecraft measures 1.5 meters in length with a diameter of 0.6 meters and a span of 12 meters. At launch, it had a mass of 450 kilograms and a dry mass of 380 kilograms. It is equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power generation. The satellite's primary mission is communication, operated by the LS-400 AOCS motor system. Its shape is described as Box + 2 Pan, and it has a RCS value of 1.8565. Manufactured by LOR in the US, its expected lifetime was approximately 7.5 years.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.5
Diameter
0.6
Span
12
Dry Mass
380
Launch Mass
450
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
1.8565
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Globalstar FM50
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
LOR
Life Expectancy
7.5 years
Bus
LS-400
Configuration
LS-400
Motor
LS-400 AOCS
Equipment
?
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
Space Brief 27 Aug 2024
Today's highlights include the destruction of ABL Space Systems' rocket due to engine leaks, Firefly Aerospace's lunar lander pre-launch tests, and insights on U.S. military's space domain awareness enhancements.
The $30 Million Toilet That Keeps Breaking on the Way to the Moon
Sixty years of space toilet engineering, a decade of development, and a $30 million contract - and the Artemis II crew still had to pee in bags on Day 1.
Space Force Deploys Meadowlands Satellite-Jamming System | KeepTrack Space Brief
U.S. Space Force transitions Meadowlands mobile satellite-jamming platform to operational status. System provides ground forces with electronic warfare capability against adversary satellite links.
Vulcan Centaur Launches GSSAP Surveillance Satellites for Space Force | KeepTrack Space Brief
ULA Vulcan Centaur launches USSF-87 with two GSSAP surveillance satellites to near-GEO orbit. NRO expands commercial imaging. Integrate raises $17M for classified platform.
X Report 9 Dec 2024
SpaceX's latest Starlink satellite launch boosts their constellation and Starship development progresses steadily.
X Report 25 Sep 2025
SpaceX continues to make strides with multiple launches, including 28 Starlink satellites and NASA's IMAP mission, highlighting its ongoing role in advancing space weather research.
Space Brief 11 Nov 2024
SpaceX gears up for a Starlink launch from Florida amid ongoing space policy discussions. A closer look at the OneWeb satellite series in our Satellite Spotlight.