ANDE CASTOR SPHERE (35694)

COSPAR: 2009-038F | Alt Name: ANDE-Castor
DECAYED

Image
ANDE CASTOR SPHERE Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

July 15, 2009

Launch Pad

LC39A

Launch Vehicle

Space Shuttle

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

35694

International Designator

2009-038F

Decay Date

8/18/2010

Basic Satellite Info

Name

ANDE CASTOR SPHERE

Alternative Name

ANDE-Castor

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

STP/NRL

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
The ANDE CASTOR SPHERE (ANDE-Castor) is a research satellite launched on July 15, 2009, from Launch Complex 39A at the Air Force Eastern Test Range using the Space Shuttle as its launch vehicle. With dimensions of 0.5 meters in length, diameter, and span, it has a dry mass of 50 kilograms, which is identical to its launch mass. The satellite's shape is spherical with a radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.2801 square meters. It was manufactured by the Naval Research Laboratory and the United States Naval Academy and owned by the Space Test Program/NRL. Its primary mission is to conduct atmospheric density research, powered solely by batteries.
Physical Characteristics

Length

0.5

Diameter

0.5

Span

0.5

Dry Mass

50

Launch Mass

50

Shape

Sphere

Radar Cross Section

0.2801

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

ANDE Active Sphere

Purpose

Research (Atmospheric density)

Mission

Research (Atmospheric density)

Manufacturer

NRL/USNA

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Unknown

Configuration

Unknown

Motor

None

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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