Space Brief 10 Jul 2025
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AQUA (27424)
COSPAR: 2002-022A | Alt Name: Aqua
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 4, 2002
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC2W
Launch Vehicle
Delta 7920-10L
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
27424
International Designator
2002-022A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:39:36 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
98.43°
Right Ascension
154.78°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
86.91°
Period
98.48 min
Mean Motion
14.62 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
AQUA
Alternative Name
Aqua
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 27424U 02022A 26185.15250346 .00000935 00000-0 19549-3 0 9991
2 27424 98.4286 154.7752 0000691 86.9101 283.5268 14.62184659285757
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The AQUA satellite, also known as EOS PM-1, was launched by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) on May 4, 2002, from Vandenberg Air Force Base using a Delta 7920-10L launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 6.7 meters in length and has a diameter of 2.5 meters with a span of 17 meters due to its deployable solar array. AQUA's dry mass is 2,976 kg and it was equipped with various instruments such as AMSR/E, MODIS, AMSU, AIRS, HSB, and CERES for Earth observation missions. The satellite has a box plus pan shape and an RCS of 7.8419. It is powered by deployable solar arrays and batteries. Manufactured by TRW, AQUA serves as a key asset in monitoring the Earth's environment from space.
Physical Characteristics
Length
6.7
Diameter
2.5
Span
17
Dry Mass
2976
Launch Mass
3078
Shape
Box + Pan
Radar Cross Section
7.8419
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
EOS PM-1
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
TRW
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
T-330
Configuration
T330 (AB-1200)
Motor
AOCS
Equipment
AMSR/E, MODIS, AMSU, AIRS, HSB, CERES
Power System
Deployable solar array, 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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