MARCO-B (43459)

COSPAR: 2018-042C | Alt Name: MarCO-B
DECAYED

Image
MARCO-B Satellite 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

43459

International Designator

2018-042C

Decay Date

Unknown

Basic Satellite Info

Name

MARCO-B

Alternative Name

MarCO-B

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

JPL

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
MARCO-B, also known as MarCO-B, is a CubeSat (6U) satellite designed and manufactured by JPL for communication and data relay missions, particularly in interplanetary contexts. Launched on May 5, 2018, from AFWTR SLC3E using an Atlas V 401 launch vehicle, MARCO-B has a length of 0.3 meters, diameter of 0.2 meters, and span of 0.8 meters. It carries equipment including a UHF/X-band transponder and an engineering camera. The satellite's dry mass is 13.5 kg and its power system consists of solar cells and batteries. Equipped with propulsion for maneuvering, MARCO-B has four axial 25 mN thrusters and four RCS 25 mN thrusters. Its operational lifetime exceeds 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

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