USA 253 (40099)

COSPAR: 2014-043A | Alt Name: USA 253

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

July 28, 2014

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

SLC37B

Launch Vehicle

Delta 4M+(4,2)

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

40099

International Designator

2014-043A

Epoch

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 13:00:27 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

5.54°

Right Ascension

75.08°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

82.24°

Period

1488.00 min

Mean Motion

0.97 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot

3D Visualization

Basic Satellite Info

Name

USA 253

Alternative Name

USA 253

Type

Payload

Status

Non-operational

Owner

AFSPC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs

1 40099U 14043A   26182.54197955 -.00000140  00000-0  00000+0 0  9993

2 40099   5.5396  75.0758 0002989  82.2425 102.5876  0.96774470 27502

Source: Celestrak

Summary

USA 253, also known as GeoStar-1, is a space surveillance satellite operated by AFSPC (Air Force Space Command) and manufactured by OSCD (Orbital Sciences Corporation). It was launched on July 28, 2014, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's SLC37B pad using the Delta 4M+(4,2) launch vehicle. The satellite is equipped with a Hornet 1 payload and powered by two deployable solar arrays along with batteries. With dimensions of 2 meters in length and diameter, and a span of 5 meters, USA 253 has a dry mass of 500 kilograms and was launched with the same mass. The mission is designed to last for approximately six years, focusing on space surveillance activities.

Physical Characteristics

Length

Diameter

Span

Dry Mass

500

Launch Mass

500

Shape

Box + 2 pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

Hornet 1

Purpose

Space surveillance

Mission

Space surveillance

Manufacturer

OSCD

Life Expectancy

6 years

Bus

GeoStar-1

Configuration

GeoStar-1

Motor

AOCS

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

2 deployable solar arrays, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map

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Latitude

Longitude

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