Space Brief 26 Aug 2025
Today's space news highlights include U.S. military satellite deployments, innovative AI aboard the Chinese space station, and breakthroughs in interplanetary communications.
NILESAT 102 (26470)
COSPAR: 2000-046B | Alt Name: Nilesat 102
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 17, 2000
Launch Site
FRGUI
Launch Pad
ELA2
Launch Vehicle
Ariane 44LP
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
26470
International Designator
2000-046B
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:01:02 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
9.40°
Right Ascension
59.28°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
67.04°
Period
1468.73 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
NILESAT 102
Alternative Name
Nilesat 102
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
NILE
Country
Egypt
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 26470U 00046B 26184.83405662 -.00000108 00000-0 00000-0 0 9994
2 26470 9.4027 59.2775 0005731 67.0446 295.6487 0.98043876 44713
Source: Celestrak
Summary
NILESAT 102, also known as Nilesat 102, is a communication satellite identified by NORAD CAT ID 26470 and OBJECT ID 2000-046B. It was manufactured by ASTT using the Eurostar 2000 configuration, with a BUS type of Eurostar-2000. The satellite has dimensions of 2.4 meters in length, 1.7 meters in diameter, and a span of 21.5 meters when fully deployed. It features 12 Ku-band transponders as its equipment payload and is equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power generation. NILESAT 102 was launched on August 17, 2000, from the ELA2 launch pad at Kourou, French Guiana (FRGUI), using an Ariane 44LP launch vehicle. At launch, its mass was 1800 kilograms, and it has a dry mass of 813 kilograms. The satellite is owned by NILE and operates for communication purposes with a RCS value of 27.1141 and a shape described as Box + 2 Pan + Dish.
Physical Characteristics
Length
2.4
Diameter
1.7
Span
21.5
Dry Mass
813
Launch Mass
1800
Shape
Box + 2 Pan + Dish
Radar Cross Section
27.1141
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Nilesat 102
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
ASTT
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Eurostar 2000
Configuration
Eurostar-2000
Motor
R-4D-11-300
Equipment
12 Ku-band transponders
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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