WMAP (MAP) (26859)

COSPAR: 2001-027A | Alt Name: WMAP

Image
WMAP (MAP) Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

June 30, 2001

Launch Pad

SLC17B

Launch Vehicle

Delta 7425-10

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

26859

International Designator

2001-027A

Epoch

Sat, 28 Jul 2001 08:30:59 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

27.81°

Right Ascension

31.03°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

52.58°

Period

14669.73 min

Mean Motion

0.10 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

WMAP (MAP)

Alternative Name

WMAP

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

GSFC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 26859U 01027A   01208.35486111 -.00014293 +00000-0 +10000-3 0  9994
2 26859 027.8097 031.0262 9441726 052.5765 032.2971 00.09816132000039

Source: Celestrak

Summary
The WMAP (Microwave Anisotropy Probe) satellite, also known as WMAP, is a mid-sized spacecraft configured as a Rapid Core Spacecraft launched by GSFC on June 30, 2001, from the Air Force Eastern Test Range at SLC17B using the Delta 7425-10 launch vehicle. It has dimensions of 3.8 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter, with a span of 5 meters, weighing 840 kg at launch and 768 kg dry mass. The satellite is equipped with two passively cooled microwave radiometers for cosmological research purposes and uses solar cells and batteries for power. WMAP has a box shape augmented by two dishes and a plate. It was owned and operated by GSFC for the mission of conducting cosmology-related studies in space.
Physical Characteristics

Length

3.8

Diameter

2

Span

5

Dry Mass

768

Launch Mass

840

Shape

Box + 2 Dish + Plate

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Microwave Anisotropy Probe

Purpose

Research (Cosmology)

Mission

Research (Cosmology)

Manufacturer

GSFC

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

MIDEX

Configuration

Rapid Core Spacecraft

Motor

AOCS

Equipment

2 passively cooled microwave radiometers

Power System

Solar cells, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.
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 3 Nov 2025

Space Brief 3 Nov 2025

Highlighting India's significant military satellite launch, real-time satellite tracking developments in Europe, SpaceX's new rideshare mission, and more space industry news.

Starship Flight 12 Debuts Ship V3 as SDA Reorganizes York Space | KeepTrack Space Brief

Starship Flight 12 Debuts Ship V3 as SDA Reorganizes York Space | KeepTrack Space Brief

SpaceX's Starship Flight 12 debuts Ship 39 and Booster 19 on May 19, while York Space faces investor confusion as Space Force reorganizes the Space Development Agency.

Falcon 9 Lands in Bahamas for 2nd Time, Reentry Pollution Measured | KeepTrack X Report

Falcon 9 Lands in Bahamas for 2nd Time, Reentry Pollution Measured | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX lands Falcon 9 in The Bahamas for the second time ever during Starlink 10-34 mission. Scientists measure rocket reentry air pollution in real-time for the first time.

Space Force Acquisition Workforce Shortfall Threatens Modernization | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force Acquisition Workforce Shortfall Threatens Modernization | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force modernization stalls over workforce gaps. Deutsche Telekom targets 2028 for Starlink Mobile V2 across 10 EU nations. Iran ops strain US munition stocks.

Space Brief 15 Sep 2025

Space Brief 15 Sep 2025

Discover the latest in satellite tracking with key topics covering the launch of Tranche 1 satellites for the Space Development Agency, a record-setting Transporter-15 mission by Exolaunch, and new defense-focused satellite connectivity solutions by Satlink and Rivada.

Space Beyond Books SpaceX Rideshare for Memorial Cubesat Mission | KeepTrack X Report

Space Beyond Books SpaceX Rideshare for Memorial Cubesat Mission | KeepTrack X Report

Space Beyond secures SpaceX rideshare launch slot for October 2027 memorial cubesat mission. Starlink constellation at 11,009 total satellites launched with 9,551 currently on orbit.

Space Brief 9 Apr 2025

Space Brief 9 Apr 2025

Today's brief covers Blue Origin’s new defense launch contracts, the ISS launch of a Navy SEAL astronaut, Sierra Space’s GPS security advancements for the U.S. Space Force, and the Space Force's 'Orbital Watch' initiative.

X Report 8 Mar 2025

X Report 8 Mar 2025

SpaceX faces setbacks with Starship Flight 8 amid debris fallout, achieves regulatory win for smartphone connectivity, and prepares for upcoming ISS missions.