SNAP-3 ALICE (40970)

COSPAR: 2015-058G | Alt Name: SNAP-3 ALICE

Image
SNAP-3 ALICE Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

October 8, 2015

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC3E

Launch Vehicle

Atlas V 401

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

40970

International Designator

2015-058G

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 00:15:05 GMT

Apogee

Calculating...

Perigee

Calculating...

Inclination

64.75°

Right Ascension

45.60°

Eccentricity

Calculating...

Argument of Perigee

358.02°

Period

92.04 min

Mean Motion

15.64 rev/day

Latitude

Calculating...

Longitude

Calculating...

Altitude

Calculating...

Velocity

Calculating...

Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

SNAP-3 ALICE

Alternative Name

SNAP-3 ALICE

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

SMDC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 40970U 15058G   26185.01048032  .00168597  00000-0  16845-2 0  9991
2 40970  64.7493  45.5982 0023545 358.0234   2.0816 15.64488007119519

Source: Celestrak

Summary
The SNAP-3 ALICE satellite, designated NORAD CAT ID 40970 and OBJECT ID 2015-058G, is a CubeSat (3U) built by DUCOMM for the US owner SMDC. Launched on October 8, 2015, from AFWTR SLC3E using an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle, it has dimensions of 0.3 meters in length and 0.1 meters in diameter with a span of 0.5 meters. The satellite's dry mass is 5.3 kilograms, matching its launch mass. Equipped with four deployable fixed solar arrays, solar cells, and batteries for power, SNAP-3 ALICE was designed for technology demonstration purposes as part of the SMDC Nanosatellite Program. Its shape is described as a box with eight panels.
Physical Characteristics

Length

0.3

Diameter

0.1

Span

0.5

Dry Mass

5.3

Launch Mass

5.3

Shape

Box+ 8 pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

SMDC Nanosatellite Program

Purpose

Technology

Mission

Technology

Manufacturer

DUCOMM

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

Cubesat 3U

Configuration

CubeSat (3U)

Motor

?

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

4 deployable fixed solar arrays, solar cells, 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.

The Day Humanity First Touched an Asteroid

The Day Humanity First Touched an Asteroid

Twenty-four years ago, a spacecraft designed only to orbit made history with an improvised landing on asteroid Eros, marking humanitys first controlled touchdown on a small celestial body

Space Brief 8 May 2025

Space Brief 8 May 2025

Today we cover new appointments at NASA, calls for increased Space Force funding, and a successful test of a hypersonic vehicle. Further investigations target SpaceX, and a documentary highlights space superiority.

The Dog They Never Planned to Bring Home

The Dog They Never Planned to Bring Home

On April 14, 1958, Sputnik 2 burned up over the North Atlantic, carrying the remains of a stray dog from Moscow who had been dead for five months. The Soviet Union told the world she survived for days. It took forty-five years for the truth to come out.

25 Starlinks Lift Off from Vandenberg in Latest Batch | KeepTrack X Report

25 Starlinks Lift Off from Vandenberg in Latest Batch | KeepTrack X Report

SpaceX launched 25 more Starlink satellites from Vandenberg SFB on March 8, 2026, pushing the active constellation toward 9,914 working spacecraft.

Space Brief 7 Sep 2025

Space Brief 7 Sep 2025

Today's Space Brief covers China’s latest satellite launches, leadership changes in the U.S. Space Force, insights from hyperspectral imagery on an Iranian facility, SpaceX's Starlink mission, and more.

X Report 16 May 2025

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.

The International Scientific Optical Network (ISON)

The International Scientific Optical Network (ISON)

How a controversial telescope network has become a significant player in tracking the increasingly crowded orbital environment, raising important questions about transparency, dual-use technologies, and the future of space situational awareness.

Space Brief 7 Mar 2025

Space Brief 7 Mar 2025

Key insights from the latest SpaceX Starship breakup, the establishment of a new satellite mobile service, and enhancing America's missile shield capabilities through satellites.