CLOUDSAT (29107)

COSPAR: 2006-016A | Alt Name: Cloudsat

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

April 28, 2006

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC2W

Launch Vehicle

Delta 7420-10C

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

29107

International Designator

2006-016A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 02:43:03 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

98.39°

Right Ascension

223.34°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

279.69°

Period

96.88 min

Mean Motion

14.86 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

CLOUDSAT

Alternative Name

Cloudsat

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

GSFC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 29107U 06016A   26185.11323880  .00001222  00000-0  14529-3 0  9991

2 29107  98.3919 223.3415 0003897 279.6870  80.3904 14.86429373 77023

Source: Celestrak

Summary

CLOUDSAT, also known as Cloudsat, is an Earth observation satellite launched by NASA on April 28, 2006, from Vandenberg Air Force Base using a Delta 7420-10C launch vehicle. It measures 2.5 meters in length and has a diameter of 2.3 meters with a span of 5.1 meters. The satellite's dry mass is 773 kilograms, and its launch mass was 848 kilograms. CLOUDSAT is equipped with a Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) as part of its payload for Earth observation. The spacecraft uses two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power. Its mission was planned to last for 2 years but ended up operating for 18 years. Manufactured by BALL, the satellite's shape is described as Box + 2 Pan with an RCS of 3.7945. It belongs to GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center) and is used primarily for Earth observation purposes.

Physical Characteristics

Length

2.5

Diameter

2.3

Span

5.1

Dry Mass

773

Launch Mass

848

Shape

Box + 2 Pan

Radar Cross Section

3.7945

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Cloudsat

Purpose

Earth Observation

Mission

Earth Observation

Manufacturer

BALL

Life Expectancy

2 years (planned); 18 years (reached)

Bus

BCP-2000

Configuration

BCP-2000

Motor

Equipment

Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR)

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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Latitude

Longitude

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Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)

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