The Day America's Moon Rocket Began Its Journey
Fifty-nine years ago, a revolutionary new rocket thundered skyward from Cape Kennedy, testing the spacecraft that would eventually carry astronauts to the lunar surface
THURAYA-2 (27825)
COSPAR: 2003-026A | Alt Name: Thuraya 2
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
June 10, 2003
Launch Site
SEAL
Launch Pad
KLA -
Launch Vehicle
Zenit-3SL
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
27825
International Designator
2003-026A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:32:09 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
8.87°
Right Ascension
31.90°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
17.61°
Period
1436.10 min
Mean Motion
1.00 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
THURAYA-2
Alternative Name
Thuraya 2
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
THUR
Country
United Arab Emirates
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 27825U 03026A 26185.23066405 .00000133 00000-0 00000-0 0 9990
2 27825 8.8653 31.8996 0002751 17.6073 359.7855 1.00271440 84521
Source: Celestrak
Summary
THURAYA-2, also known as Thuraya 2, is a communication satellite launched by THUR on June 10, 2003, from the Sea Launch platform using a Zenit-3SL launch vehicle. The spacecraft, manufactured by BOES and designed with a Box + Dish + 2 Pan shape, has dimensions of 12.2 meters in length, 17 meters in diameter, and spans 40.4 meters. It weighs 5,177 kg at launch, with a dry mass of 4,000 kg. Thuraya 2 is equipped with L-band 128 active elements and 17 W SSPAs for C-band (with 2 spares), powered by two deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite was designed to operate for up to 12 years in its communication mission.
Physical Characteristics
Length
12.2
Diameter
17
Span
40.4
Dry Mass
4000
Launch Mass
5177
Shape
Box + Dish + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
10.0237
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Thuraya 2
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
BOES
Life Expectancy
12 years
Bus
HS-GEM
Configuration
BSS-GEM (Geomobile)
Motor
R-4D-14-350
Equipment
L-band 128 active elements, 17 W SSPAs C-band 2 active (2 spare)
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.
Kratos Wins $446M Space Force Missile-Warning Contract | KeepTrack Space Brief
Kratos Defense awarded $446M Space Force contract for RMWT missile-warning ground systems. Rocket Lab secures $190M Pentagon deal for 20 hypersonic test flights.
Space Brief 14 Apr 2025
Today's highlights include SpaceX's record-breaking Falcon launches, urgent warnings about orbital collisions, and a doubleheader launch featuring spy and Starlink satellites.
SpaceX IPO Raises $75B, SPCX Surges 20% on Day One | KeepTrack X Report
SpaceX debuted on Nasdaq as SPCX at $135/share, raising a record $75B and pushing Elon Musk's net worth past $1 trillion for the first time.
Space Brief 3 Jan 2025
Today's brief covers the recent surge in SpaceX launches, Eutelsat's resolution of a OneWeb software issue, and various strategic previews for U.S. military branches in 2025.
Space Brief 12 Jun 2025
Today's Space Brief covers major developments including the public debut of Voyager Technologies, advancements in defense by Sierra Space, and Pentagon's mega-constellation challenges. Also featured are new software selections by the Space Force and legislative actions on acquisition pilots.
Space Brief 30 Jan 2025
Today's Space Brief covers key developments including U.S. Space Force tech accelerator, SpaceX veterans' startup funding, ULA's expected dominance in national security missions, and new satellite activity.
Space Brief 25 Nov 2025
Today's briefing covers Chinese satellite launches, military defense strategies in space, increasing launch activity at the Space Coast, and potential rivals to SpaceX's Starlink.