Space Brief 29 Dec 2025
Today's highlights include Japan's new military satellite imagery initiative, NASA's SPHEREx map, and AST BlueBird 6's groundbreaking cellular array in low Earth orbit.
SWARM A (39452)
COSPAR: 2013-067B | Alt Name: Swarm A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
November 22, 2013
Launch Site
PLMSC
Launch Pad
LC133/3
Launch Vehicle
Rokot
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
39452
International Designator
2013-067B
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:23:55 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
87.33°
Right Ascension
49.97°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
96.56°
Period
92.83 min
Mean Motion
15.51 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
Calculating...
Altitude
Calculating...
Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
SWARM A
Alternative Name
Swarm A
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
ESA
Country
European Space Agency
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 39452U 13067B 26185.05827572 .00012030 00000-0 20456-3 0 9994
2 39452 87.3304 49.9703 0003209 96.5565 263.6061 15.51278248708868
Source: Celestrak
Summary
SWARM A, also known as Swarm A, is an Earth Science satellite launched on November 22, 2013, from Plesetsk Launch Site LC133/3 using the Rokot launch vehicle. It has a length of 5 meters, diameter of 1.5 meters, and span of 9.3 meters with a dry mass of 367 kg and a launch mass of 473 kg. The satellite is owned by ESA and manufactured by EASF, equipped with ASM, VFM, EFI, ACC, LRR equipment, solar cells for power, and batteries. Its shape is described as a half hexagonal prism plus boom. With an expected lifetime of four years, the primary purpose of SWARM A is to conduct Earth Science missions using its payload Swarm 1.
Physical Characteristics
Length
5
Diameter
1.5
Span
9.3
Dry Mass
367
Launch Mass
473
Shape
Half hex prism+ boom
Radar Cross Section
2.2407
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Swarm 1
Purpose
Earth Science
Mission
Earth Science
Manufacturer
EASF
Life Expectancy
4 years
Bus
Flexbus
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
N2 AOCS
Equipment
ASM, VFM, EFI, ACC, LRR
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
Satellite Articles
View All Posts »Learn more about satellites and other related topics.
X Report 16 May 2025
Today's brief highlights the launch of United Airlines' Starlink Wi-Fi on passenger flights, updates on Starship development, and SpaceX's push to position Starlink as a GPS alternative in recent FCC discussions.
Space Brief 28 Nov 2024
Today's briefing covers China's announcement of the Beidou system upgrade, launch updates for Vega C, challenges to global GPS reliability, and delays in the VERITAS Venus mission.
Iran Struck U.S. Aircraft Despite 'Maxed Out' Defense | KeepTrack Space Brief
Iran successfully struck U.S. aircraft in Saudi Arabia despite maxed-out defensive posture. Space Force ISR and missile warning gaps exposed. Tracking impacts.
Space Brief 4 Oct 2025
Today's Space Brief highlights major developments in satellite launches, regulatory milestones for spectrum sales, and the evolving landscape of space-related cyber conflicts.
Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory
Designed for a two-year mission to catch gamma-ray bursts in the act, Swift is now 21 years old, slowly falling out of the sky, and the subject of an unprecedented private rescue mission. Nobody planned for it to be this hard to let go.
Space Brief 9 Mar 2025
Today's highlights include delayed satellite launches, SpaceX's Florida Starship expansion, a historic mission by Europe's Ariane 6, and NASA's twin missions to explore the ends of the Earth and the universe.
Space Force Terminates $1.7B SCAR Contract, Relaunches | KeepTrack Space Brief
Space Force terminated its $1.7B SCAR ground antenna modernization contract and is relaunching competition. Delays extend reliance on aging legacy systems for MEO and GEO satellite command.