Lagrange Points
Five spots in the Earth-Sun system where the gravitational tug of two massive bodies and the pull of circular motion all cancel out, creating gravitational parking spaces where spacecraft can sit for decades with almost no fuel.
ESSA 8 (TOS-F) (03615)
COSPAR: 1968-114A | Alt Name: ESSA 8
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
December 15, 1968
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC2E
Launch Vehicle
Thor Delta N
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
03615
International Designator
1968-114A
Epoch
Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:49:35 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
101.70°
Right Ascension
133.99°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
290.76°
Period
114.63 min
Mean Motion
12.56 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
ESSA 8 (TOS-F)
Alternative Name
ESSA 8
Type
Payload
Status
Non-operational
Owner
ESSA
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 03615U 68114A 26184.78443647 -.00000032 00000-0 77048-4 0 9995
2 03615 101.7008 133.9947 0031558 290.7551 69.0143 12.56249965638640
Source: Celestrak
Summary
Apologies, there is no summary for this satellite yet. I am working to generate these for every object in the catalog, but it is going to take time.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.6
Diameter
1.1
Span
1.1
Dry Mass
131
Launch Mass
131
Shape
Cyl
Radar Cross Section
0.7705
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
TOS F
Purpose
Meteorology
Mission
Meteorology
Manufacturer
RCA
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Tiros I
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
?
Equipment
2 x AVCS (#T9, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9); 2 x APT (#2, 4, 6, 8); FPR (#3, 5, 7, 9)
Power System
Solar cells, 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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