NOAA 18 (28654)

COSPAR: 2005-018A | Alt Name: NOAA 18

Image
NOAA 18 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

May 20, 2005

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC2W

Launch Vehicle

Delta 7320-10C

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

28654

International Designator

2005-018A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:17:18 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

98.81°

Right Ascension

264.61°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

102.29°

Period

101.86 min

Mean Motion

14.14 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

NOAA 18

Alternative Name

NOAA 18

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

NOAA

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 28654U 05018A   26185.17868372  .00000085  00000-0  67793-4 0  9992
2 28654  98.8112 264.6092 0015362 102.2942 257.9952 14.13732553 88719

Source: Celestrak

Summary
NOAA 18 is a meteorology satellite operated by NOAA, launched on May 20, 2005, from AFWTR SLC2W using the Delta 7320-10C launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 4.2 meters in length, 1.9 meters in diameter, and a span of 7 meters. It is based on the TIROS-N Bus configuration with a dry mass of 1416 kg and a launch mass of 1420 kg. Equipped with instruments such as AVHRR/3, ATOVS (HIRS/4, AMSU-A, MHS), SEM-2, ARGOS (DCS-2), S&RSAT, it is powered by deployable solar arrays and batteries. The satellite's purpose is meteorology, and its lifetime is at least 2 years. It was manufactured by LMSS and has a box plus pan shape with an RCS of 4.9159.
Physical Characteristics

Length

4.2

Diameter

1.9

Span

7

Dry Mass

1416

Launch Mass

1420

Shape

Box + Pan

Radar Cross Section

4.9159

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

NOAA N/S10

Purpose

Meteorology

Mission

Meteorology

Manufacturer

LMSS

Life Expectancy

2 years minimum

Bus

ATN

Configuration

TIROS-N Bus

Motor

ISS

Equipment

AVHRR/3, ATOVS (HIRS/4, AMSU-A, MHS), SEM-2, ARGOS (DCS-2), S&RSAT

Power System

Deployable solar array, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
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