ORBVIEW 3 (27838)

COSPAR: 2003-030A | Alt Name: Orbview-3
DECAYED

Image
ORBVIEW 3 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

June 26, 2003

Launch Site

WRAS

Launch Pad

RW30/12

Launch Vehicle

Pegasus XL

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

27838

International Designator

2003-030A

Decay Date

3/13/2011

Basic Satellite Info

Name

ORBVIEW 3

Alternative Name

Orbview-3

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

ORBI

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
ORBVIEW 3, also known as Orbview-3, is an Earth observation satellite with the NORAD catalog ID 27838 and object ID 2003-030A. It was launched on June 26, 2003, from the Wallops Flight Facility (WRAS) Launch Pad RW30/12 using a Pegasus XL launch vehicle. The satellite is owned by ORBI and manufactured by OSCM under the LEOStar configuration with a Leostar-2 bus design. ORBVIEW 3 has dimensions of 1.9 meters in length, 1.2 meters in diameter, and a span of 3 meters. It was launched with a mass of 304 kilograms and has a dry mass of 250 kilograms. The satellite is powered by a deployable fixed solar array and batteries. The primary payload includes an OHRIS camera with a 0.45-meter aperture, capable of providing 1-meter resolution panchromatic images and 4-meter resolution for 200-channel hyperspectral imaging. For propulsion, it uses a monopropellant system. The satellite's shape is described as cylindrical plus panoramic (Cyl + Pan), and its radar cross-section (RCS) is 0.907 square meters.
Physical Characteristics

Length

1.9

Diameter

1.2

Span

3

Dry Mass

250

Launch Mass

304

Shape

Cyl + Pan

Radar Cross Section

0.907

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Orbview-3

Purpose

Earth observation

Mission

Earth observation

Manufacturer

OSCM

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Leostar-2

Configuration

LEOStar

Motor

monopropellant propulsion system

Equipment

OHRIS 0.45-meter aperture camera (1-m res. panchromatic, 4-m res. 200-channel hyperspectral)

Power System

Deployable fixed solar array, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

X Report 13 Dec 2025

X Report 13 Dec 2025

SpaceX continues making strides in satellite deployments and Starship preparations while managing challenges in space traffic.

X Report 4 May 2025

X Report 4 May 2025

Today's brief highlights the successful launch of 29 Starlink satellites, progress on the Starship fleet, and ongoing adjustments in SpaceX's launch schedules.

Falcon 9 Completes GPS III Constellation for Space Force | KeepTrack X Report

Falcon 9 Completes GPS III Constellation for Space Force | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX's Falcon 9 delivered GPS III SV-10 at 0653 UTC, capping Lockheed Martin's 10-satellite series as SpaceX eyes a $60B AI coding acquisition pre-IPO.

X Report 4 Dec 2024

X Report 4 Dec 2024

SpaceX's Falcon 9 achieves a milestone with its 24th launch for Starlink, while competitive moves continue in the satellite internet market.

X Report 28 Feb 2025

X Report 28 Feb 2025

SpaceX postpones Starship Flight 8, successfully launches Starlink satellites and two lunar missions.

The Day Humanity First Touched an Asteroid

The Day Humanity First Touched an Asteroid

Twenty-four years ago, a spacecraft designed only to orbit made history with an improvised landing on asteroid Eros, marking humanitys first controlled touchdown on a small celestial body

Space Brief 3 Aug 2025

Space Brief 3 Aug 2025

Today's brief covers NASA's collaboration with India for a new Earth-tracking satellite, China's expansion of its satellite internet network, and a groundbreaking cosmic shield for solar cells. Also highlighted are EchoStar's ambitious satellite order and Roscosmos' recent diplomatic moves.

Space Brief 11 Jun 2025

Space Brief 11 Jun 2025

Today's Space Brief covers a major partnership in space tech distribution, China's orbital refueling preparations under U.S. scrutiny, recent U.S. defense budget reveals, and an exciting hyperspectral imagery release from Xplore.