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SORCE (27651)
COSPAR: 2003-004A | Alt Name: SORCE
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
January 25, 2003
Launch Site
ERAS
Launch Pad
RW30/12
Launch Vehicle
Pegasus XL
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
27651
International Designator
2003-004A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:34:20 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
39.99°
Right Ascension
164.18°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
179.15°
Period
95.76 min
Mean Motion
15.04 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SORCE
Alternative Name
SORCE
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 27651U 03004A 26185.27384723 .00003392 00000-0 25254-3 0 9994
2 27651 39.9891 164.1845 0017381 179.1457 180.9369 15.03795657274473
Source: Celestrak
Summary
SORCE (Small Operationally Responsive CubeSat Experiment) is an Earth science satellite launched by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) on January 25, 2003, from the Eastern Range at Cape Canaveral using a Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 1.6 meters in length and 1.2 meters in diameter with a span of 4 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. It weighs 290 kilograms both at launch and dry mass, indicating it carries no propellant or consumables listed. SORCE is equipped with instruments including TIM (Total Irradiance Monitor), SIM (Spectral Irradiance Monitor), two SOLSTICE (Solar Stellar Irradiance Comparison Experiment) units, and XPS (Extreme Ultraviolet Photometer System). The satellite's power system consists of six deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries. Its shape is described as cylindrical with six panels, providing a cross-sectional area of approximately 1.78 square meters. The mission purpose focuses on Earth science research.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.6
Diameter
1.2
Span
4
Dry Mass
290
Launch Mass
290
Shape
Cyl + 6 Pan
Radar Cross Section
1.7809
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
SORCE
Purpose
Earth science
Mission
Earth science
Manufacturer
OSCD
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Leostar-2
Configuration
LEOStar-2
Motor
?
Equipment
TIM, SIM, 2 SOLSTICE, XPS
Power System
6 deployable fixed 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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