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LARES (38077)
COSPAR: 2012-006A | Alt Name: LARES
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
38077
International Designator
2012-006A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 04:31:17 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
69.49°
Right Ascension
263.21°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
9.47°
Period
114.75 min
Mean Motion
12.55 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
LARES
Alternative Name
LARES
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ASI
Country
Italy
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 38077U 12006A 26185.18839126 -.00000023 00000-0 96770-4 0 9993
2 38077 69.4911 263.2072 0008113 9.4676 350.6502 12.54932257659207
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The LARES satellite, with NORAD ID 38077 and OBJECT_ID 2012-006A, is a 37,6 cm sphere with dimensions of 0.4 meters in length, diameter, and span. It was launched on February 13, 2012, from the Guiana Space Centre (FRGUI) using the Vega launch vehicle. The satellite has a dry mass of 400 kg and is equipped with 92 cube corner reflectors for its mission focused on basic research and geodesy. LARES was manufactured by CGSO and owned by ASI, operating without power or motor systems. Its shape and composition are designed to minimize radar cross-section, enhancing its utility in precise tracking studies related to gravitational research.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.4
Diameter
0.4
Span
0.4
Dry Mass
400
Launch Mass
400
Shape
Sphere
Radar Cross Section
0.0379
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
LARES
Purpose
Basic research, Geodesy
Mission
Basic research, Geodesy
Manufacturer
CGSO
Life Expectancy
Unknown
Bus
Lares
Configuration
37,6 cm sphere
Motor
None
Equipment
92 cube corner reflectors
Power System
None
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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