X Report 25 Sep 2025
SpaceX continues to make strides with multiple launches, including 28 Starlink satellites and NASA's IMAP mission, highlighting its ongoing role in advancing space weather research.
FORMOSAT-3 FM6 (29047)
COSPAR: 2006-011A | Alt Name: COSMIC 1-6
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 15, 2006
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC8
Launch Vehicle
Minotaur I
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
29047
International Designator
2006-011A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 14:17:12 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
71.98°
Right Ascension
277.72°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
211.22°
Period
100.60 min
Mean Motion
14.31 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-3 FM6
Alternative Name
COSMIC 1-6
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
NSPO
Country
Taiwan
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 29047U 06011A 26184.59528620 .00000478 00000-0 19327-3 0 9992
2 29047 71.9779 277.7151 0049198 211.2201 148.6014 14.31411597 56757
Source: Celestrak
Summary
FORMOSAT-3 FM6, also known as COSMIC 1-6, is an Earth observation satellite launched by Taiwan (TW) on April 15, 2006, from the AFWTR SLC8 launch pad using a Minotaur I vehicle. With dimensions of 0.2 meters in length and 1 meter in diameter, it has a span of 4.3 meters due to its two deployable solar arrays. The satellite has a dry mass of 56 kilograms and a launch mass of 62 kilograms. It was manufactured by OSCD (Orbital Sciences Corporation) and operated for 14 years, exceeding its design lifetime of five years. FORMOSAT-3 FM6 is part of the MicroStar bus configuration and uses batteries along with solar arrays for power supply. The satellite's shape is described as cylindrical with two panels, and it has a radar cross-section (RCS) value of 0.576 square meters. Its mission was to conduct Earth observation tasks on behalf of NSPO (National Space Organization).
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.2
Diameter
1
Span
4.3
Dry Mass
56
Launch Mass
62
Shape
Cyl + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
0.576
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
FORMOSAT 3 FM6
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
OSCD
Life Expectancy
5 years (design); 14 years (achieved)
Bus
Microstar
Configuration
MicroStar
Motor
Unknown
Equipment
Unknown
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
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