X Report 12 May 2025
SpaceX prepares for its 100th Falcon 9 launch from Kennedy Space Center while facing a scrubbed attempt of the latest Starlink deployment.
BEIDOU-2 M3 (38250)
COSPAR: 2012-018A | Alt Name: Beidou DW 12
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 29, 2012
Launch Site
XICLF
Launch Pad
LC2
Launch Vehicle
Chang Zheng 3B
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
38250
International Designator
2012-018A
Epoch
Thu, 02 Jul 2026 05:21:52 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
55.74°
Right Ascension
304.37°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
273.01°
Period
773.24 min
Mean Motion
1.86 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
BEIDOU-2 M3
Alternative Name
Beidou DW 12
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
CNSA
Country
China
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 38250U 12018A 26183.22352373 -.00000064 00000-0 00000-0 0 9998
2 38250 55.7439 304.3684 0020578 273.0142 86.7629 1.86230266 96223
Source: Celestrak
Summary
The BEIDOU-2 M3 satellite, also known as Beidou DW 12, is operated by CNSA and was launched on April 29, 2012, from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XICLF), using a Chang Zheng 3B launch vehicle. With a configuration of DFH-3 Bus and manufactured by CAST, this satellite has a dry mass of 1300 kg and was launched with a mass of 2300 kg. It measures 3 meters in length, 1.7 meters in diameter, and its solar panels span 18 meters when deployed. The spacecraft is equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power generation and is designed to support navigation missions with a lifetime of 8 years. Its shape consists of a box structure with two panels.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3
Diameter
1.7
Span
18
Dry Mass
1300
Launch Mass
2300
Shape
Box + 2 Pan
Radar Cross Section
7.1433
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Beidou-2 M3
Purpose
Navigation
Mission
Navigation
Manufacturer
CAST
Life Expectancy
8 years
Bus
DFH-3
Configuration
DFH-3 Bus
Motor
FY-25
Equipment
?
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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