Space Brief 29 Aug 2025
Today's Space Brief highlights emerging technologies in space, a contract for U.S. Space Force missions, developments in military operations, and updates on drone advancements.
TESS (43435)
COSPAR: 2018-038A | Alt Name: TESS
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
April 18, 2018
Launch Site
Launch Pad
LC40
Launch Vehicle
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
43435
International Designator
2018-038A
Epoch
Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:07:24 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
56.78°
Right Ascension
39.94°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
74.83°
Period
19685.74 min
Mean Motion
0.07 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
Calculating...
Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
TESS
Alternative Name
TESS
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
GSFC
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 43435U 18038A 26047.08847789 -.00000920 00000-0 00000-0 0 9991
2 43435 56.7768 39.9399 4576478 74.8293 9.7062 0.07314938 1769
Source: Celestrak
Summary
TESS, also known as 2018-038A, is an astronomy satellite operated by GSFC and manufactured by OATKD. It was launched on April 18, 2018, from the AFETR LC40 launch pad using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The spacecraft has dimensions of 1.5 meters in length, 1.2 meters in diameter, and a span of 3.7 meters. Its dry mass is 317 kilograms, with an initial launch mass of 362 kilograms. TESS carries 4 wide field-of-view CCD cameras for visible astronomy observations. It is equipped with two deployable solar arrays and batteries for power generation. The satellite's attitude control system includes a 22N AOCS motor. TESS was designed to operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for a mission duration of approximately 2 years, having achieved its stable date on the same day as launch.
Physical Characteristics
Length
1.5
Diameter
1.2
Span
3.7
Dry Mass
317
Launch Mass
362
Shape
Flared cyl+2 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
TESS
Purpose
Astronomy, visible
Mission
Astronomy, visible
Manufacturer
OATKD
Life Expectancy
2 years
Bus
Leostar-2
Configuration
LEOStar-2
Motor
22N AOCS
Equipment
4 x wide field-of-view CCD cameras
Power System
2 deployable solar arrays, 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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