FORMOSAT-2 (ROCSAT 2) (28254)

COSPAR: 2004-018A | Alt Name: Formosat-2

Image
FORMOSAT-2 (ROCSAT 2) Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

May 20, 2004

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

576E

Launch Vehicle

Taurus 3210

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

28254

International Designator

2004-018A

Epoch

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 11:15:00 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

98.85°

Right Ascension

151.45°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

301.74°

Period

102.76 min

Mean Motion

14.01 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

FORMOSAT-2 (ROCSAT 2)

Alternative Name

Formosat-2

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

NSPT

Country

Taiwan

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 28254U 04018A   26184.46875258 -.00000210  00000-0 -11129-3 0  9992
2 28254  98.8458 151.4519 0000673 301.7362 168.5398 14.01256763131032

Source: Celestrak

Summary
FORMOSAT-2 (ROCSAT 2), also known as Formosat-2, is an Earth observation and science satellite manufactured by ASTT for NSPT. Launched on May 20, 2004, from AFWTR using the Taurus 3210 launch vehicle, it has a configuration of Leostar-500-XO with dimensions of 4 meters in length, 3 meters in diameter, and spans 4 meters. Its dry mass is 714 kg, and at launch, its mass was 764 kg. Equipped with a 2 m resolution black-and-white imager, an 8 m resolution color imager, and a lightning detector, FORMOSAT-2 uses deployable fixed solar arrays and batteries for power. The satellite surpassed its designed lifetime of 5 years by achieving 12 years in orbit. Its shape is box-like with an RCS value of 3.1147 and it operates under the mission name ROCSAT-2, manufactured by ASTT.
Physical Characteristics

Length

4

Diameter

3

Span

4

Dry Mass

714

Launch Mass

764

Shape

Box

Radar Cross Section

3.1147

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

ROCSAT-2

Purpose

Earth observation, Science

Mission

Earth observation, Science

Manufacturer

ASTT

Life Expectancy

5 years (design); 12 years (achieved)

Bus

Astrosat-500

Configuration

Leostar-500-XO

Motor

AOCS

Equipment

2 m resolution black-and-white imager, 8 m resolution color imager, lightning detector

Power System

Deployable fixed solar array, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
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