Space Brief 24 Oct 2024
Today's Space Brief highlights SpaceX Crew-8's return, Intelsat-33e satellite breakup, SpaceX's upcoming Starship tests, and notable launches including China's new mega-constellation.
PALAPA D (35812)
COSPAR: 2009-046A | Alt Name: Palapa D
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
August 31, 2009
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC2
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
35812
International Designator
2009-046A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 04:44:11 GMT
Apogee
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Perigee
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Inclination
5.75°
Right Ascension
75.23°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
42.90°
Period
1458.30 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
PALAPA D
Alternative Name
Palapa D
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
INDOS
Country
Indonesia
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 35812U 09046A 26184.19735652 .00000033 00000-0 00000-0 0 9993
2 35812 5.7468 75.2256 0018650 42.8984 317.1183 0.98745048 61548
Source: Celestrak
Summary
PALAPA D is a communication satellite, also known as Palapa D, owned by INDOS and operated for communication purposes. It was manufactured by THALES using the Spacebus 4000B3 configuration and launched on August 31, 2009, from Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XICLF) at launch pad LC2 aboard a Chang Zheng 3B rocket. The satellite has dimensions of 4 meters in length, 2.3 meters in diameter, and spans 30 meters with its solar arrays deployed. It weighs 1700 kg dry and had an initial launch mass of 4100 kg. PALAPA D is equipped with 24 standard C-band, 11 extended C-Band, and 5 Ku-band transponders for communication services and has a designed lifetime of 15 years. Its power system includes two deployable solar arrays and batteries to ensure continuous operation. The satellite's shape is described as Box + 2 Pan with an RCS value of 7.9433.
Physical Characteristics
Length
4
Diameter
2.3
Span
30
Dry Mass
1700
Launch Mass
4100
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
7.9433
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Palapa D
Purpose
Communication
Mission
Communication
Manufacturer
THALES
Life Expectancy
15 years
Bus
Spacebus 4000B3
Configuration
Spacebus-4000B3
Motor
S400
Equipment
24 standard C-band, 11 extended C-Band and 5 Ku-band transponders
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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