X Report 17 Jun 2025
SpaceX successfully launched 26 Starlink satellites from California, preparing for upcoming crewed missions to the ISS.
FORMOSAT-5 (42920)
COSPAR: 2017-049A | Alt Name: FORMOSAT 5
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
42920
International Designator
2017-049A
Epoch
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 05:23:36 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
98.22°
Right Ascension
260.16°
Eccentricity
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Argument of Perigee
36.49°
Period
99.25 min
Mean Motion
14.51 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
FORMOSAT-5
Alternative Name
FORMOSAT 5
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
NSPO
Country
Taiwan
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 42920U 17049A 26185.22472804 .00000184 00000-0 57696-4 0 9999
2 42920 98.2250 260.1558 0012050 36.4873 323.7141 14.50905149469144
Source: Celestrak
Summary
FORMOSAT-5, also known as FORMOSAT 5, is an Earth observation satellite operated by NSPO (National Space Organization) from Taiwan. It was launched on August 24, 2017, using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle from SLC4E at AFWTR (Vandenberg Air Force Base). The spacecraft has dimensions of 3 meters in length and 1.2 meters in diameter with a span of 4.5 meters. FORMOSAT-5's dry mass is 445 kilograms, and its launch mass was 525 kilograms. It is powered by solar cells and batteries and has an octagonal cylindrical body with two panels. The mission's lifetime is planned for five years, focusing on Earth observation tasks.
Physical Characteristics
Length
3
Diameter
1.2
Span
4.5
Dry Mass
445
Launch Mass
525
Shape
Oct cyl+2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Formosat 5
Purpose
Earth observation
Mission
Earth observation
Manufacturer
NSPO
Life Expectancy
5 years
Bus
Unknown
Configuration
Unknown
Motor
AOCS
Equipment
Unknown
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
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