AMC-16 (28472)

COSPAR: 2004-048A | Alt Name: AMC 16

Image
AMC-16 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

December 17, 2004

Launch Pad

SLC41

Launch Vehicle

Atlas V 521

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

28472

International Designator

2004-048A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 03:13:36 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

4.64°

Right Ascension

76.24°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

209.22°

Period

1453.02 min

Mean Motion

0.99 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

AMC-16

Alternative Name

AMC 16

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

AMCS

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 28472U 04048A   26185.13445125 -.00000055  00000-0  00000-0 0  9997
2 28472   4.6444  76.2364 0002741 209.2173 322.1131  0.99103748 78653

Source: Celestrak

Summary
AMC-16, also known as AMC 16 or Americom 16, is a communication satellite owned by AMCS and manufactured by LMCSS. Launched on December 17, 2004, from the Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) SLC41 using an Atlas V 521 launch vehicle, it has a configuration of A2100AXS with dimensions including a length of 6 meters, diameter of 3.6 meters, and span of 26 meters. The satellite weighs 4,065 kg at launch and has a dry mass of 2,000 kg. It is equipped with 24 Ku-band transponders and 12 Ka-band transponder for communication purposes and uses two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power supply. Its mission lifetime was projected to be 15 years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

6

Diameter

3.6

Span

26

Dry Mass

2000

Launch Mass

4065

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

7.9432

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Americom 16

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

LMCSS

Life Expectancy

15 years

Bus

A2100

Configuration

A2100AXS

Motor

Leros 1C

Equipment

24 Ku-band transponders, 12 Ka-band transponder

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
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