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MARCO-A (43458)
COSPAR: 2018-042B | Alt Name: MarCO-A
Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details
Launch Date
May 5, 2018
Launch Site
AFWTR
Launch Pad
SLC3E
Launch Vehicle
Atlas V 401
Orbital Elements
NORAD ID
43458
International Designator
2018-042B
Epoch
Sun, 06 May 2018 12:23:57 GMT
Apogee
Calculating...
Perigee
Calculating...
Inclination
63.97°
Right Ascension
108.80°
Eccentricity
Calculating...
Argument of Perigee
352.20°
Period
88.03 min
Mean Motion
16.36 rev/day
Latitude
Calculating...
Longitude
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Altitude
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Velocity
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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info
Name
MARCO-A
Alternative Name
MarCO-A
Type
Payload
Status
Operational
Owner
JPL
Country
United States
Constellation
N/A
Related Satellites
Major Events
N/A
Latest TLEs
1 43458U 18042B 18125.51663196 -.00002567 +81162-5 +00000-0 0 9997
2 43458 063.9700 108.8000 0014000 352.2000 089.5396 16.35832554000007
Source: Celestrak
Summary
MARCO-A, also known as MarCO-A, is a 6U CubeSat satellite manufactured by JPL and owned by JPL. Launched on May 5, 2018, from AFWTR SLC3E using an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle, MARCO-A has dimensions of 0.3 meters in length, 0.2 meters in diameter, and spans 0.8 meters. It has a dry mass of 13.5 kg and the same launch mass. Equipped with a UHF/X-band transponder and an engineering camera for communication and data relay purposes, MARCO-A also features solar cells and batteries as its power source. The satellite's propulsion system includes four axial thrusters and four RCS thrusters each providing 25 mN of thrust. Its mission focuses on interplanetary communication and data relay with a lifetime exceeding one year.
Physical Characteristics
Length
0.3
Diameter
0.2
Span
0.8
Dry Mass
13.5
Launch Mass
13.5
Shape
Box+3 pan
Radar Cross Section
Unknown
Visual Magnitude
Unknown
Color
Unknown
Material Composition
Unknown
Technical Details
Payload
Mars Cube One
Purpose
Communication, data relay, interplanetary
Mission
Communication, data relay, interplanetary
Manufacturer
JPL
Life Expectancy
> 1 year
Bus
Cubesat 6U
Configuration
CubeSat (6U)
Motor
4 x axial 25 mN thrusters, 4 x RCS 25 mN thrusters
Equipment
UHF/X-band transponder, engineering camera
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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