ALPHASAT (39215)

COSPAR: 2013-038A | Alt Name: Inmarsat 4A F4

Image
ALPHASAT Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

July 25, 2013

Launch Site

FRGUI

Launch Pad

ELA3

Launch Vehicle

Ariane 5ECA

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

39215

International Designator

2013-038A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:27:02 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

3.00°

Right Ascension

1.26°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

117.81°

Period

1436.11 min

Mean Motion

1.00 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

ALPHASAT

Alternative Name

Inmarsat 4A F4

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

INMRL/ESA

Country

United Kingdom

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 39215U 13038A   26185.22711071  .00000145  00000-0  00000-0 0  9998
2 39215   2.9989   1.2618 0002225 117.8141 269.8031  1.00270892 44197

Source: Celestrak

Summary
ALPHASAT (also known as Inmarsat 4A F4) is a communication satellite launched by INMRL/ESA on July 25, 2013, from ELA3 in Kourou using an Ariane 5ECA launch vehicle. The spacecraft, manufactured by ASTT and based on the AlphaBus configuration, has dimensions of 7.1 meters in length and a diameter of 2.5 meters with a span of 40 meters when its solar arrays are deployed. It carries a L-band payload for communication purposes and is powered by two deployable solar arrays along with batteries. ALPHASAT has a dry mass of 3,500 kilograms and was launched with a total mass of 6,650 kilograms. The satellite's designed lifetime is 15 years and it is primarily used for communication missions.
Physical Characteristics

Length

7.1

Diameter

2.5

Span

40

Dry Mass

3500

Launch Mass

6650

Shape

Box+2 pan+dish

Radar Cross Section

16.3096

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Alphasat

Purpose

Communication

Mission

Communication

Manufacturer

ASTT

Life Expectancy

15 years

Bus

AlphaBus

Configuration

Alphabus

Motor

S400

Equipment

L-band payload

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
This tool will help you track the satellite's position and predict its upcoming passes over your location. Simply input the coordinates or click the geolocation button to get started.
Next Pass
Azimuth Elevation Time (Local)
Start Azimuth
Max Elevation
Stop Azimuth
Time Until
Pass Duration

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Mike Melvill, 124 Meters, and the Morning Space Went Private

Mike Melvill, 124 Meters, and the Morning Space Went Private

On 21 June 2004, a 63-year-old test pilot rode a homebuilt rocket plane to 100,124 meters above the Mojave Desert, clearing the edge of space by about the length of a city block. He came down the first private astronaut in history, holding a sign that read 'SpaceShipOne, GovernmentZero.'

X Report 28 Jun 2025

X Report 28 Jun 2025

SpaceX continues to dominate with two Starlink launches in one day, the unveiling of its final Crew Dragon, and facing legal challenges from Mexico regarding a recent Starship incident.

Crew-11 Preps for First-Ever ISS Medical Evacuation, Lufthansa Orders Starlink for 850 Jets | KeepTrack X Report

Crew-11 Preps for First-Ever ISS Medical Evacuation, Lufthansa Orders Starlink for 850 Jets | KeepTrack X Report

Crew-11 prepares for historic first ISS medical evacuation via Crew Dragon. Lufthansa Group to equip all 850 aircraft with Starlink. Starship infrastructure advances at Starbase and Cape Canaveral.

Hayabusa | The Crippled Falcon That Carried an Asteroid Home

Hayabusa | The Crippled Falcon That Carried an Asteroid Home

Sixteen years ago today, a fireball tore across the Australian outback. Most of it was a dying Japanese spacecraft burning up after a seven-year ordeal. The bright dot racing ahead of the wreckage was a capsule holding the first grains of an asteroid ever returned to Earth.

Space Force Awards $437M for Military Satcom; New Glenn Clears Return | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force Awards $437M for Military Satcom; New Glenn Clears Return | KeepTrack Space Brief

Space Force contracts Viasat and SES for $437M Protected Tactical Satcom-Global program. Blue Origin clears New Glenn for flights after Flight 3 investigation.

X Report 19 Jan 2025

X Report 19 Jan 2025

SpaceX prepares to launch 27 Starlink satellites in its first mission since the recent Starship explosion, while the FAA investigates debris reports from the failed test flight.

FAA Advances Approval for 44 Starship Launches From Pad 39A | KeepTrack X Report

FAA Advances Approval for 44 Starship Launches From Pad 39A | KeepTrack X Report

FAA advances environmental review for up to 44 Starship launches from Kennedy Space Center pad 39A. SpaceX wraps January with dual-coast Starlink launches. Crew-12 timeline tied to Artemis 2 schedule.

X Report 6 Feb 2025

X Report 6 Feb 2025

SpaceX prepares for a new cargo-return mission with Atmos, deploys imaging satellites, and gears up for Axiom-4 private astronaut launch.