GRACE-FO 1 (43476)

COSPAR: 2018-047A | Alt Name: GRACE-FO 1

Image
GRACE-FO 1 Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

May 22, 2018

Launch Site

AFWTR

Launch Pad

SLC4E

Launch Vehicle

Falcon 9

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

43476

International Designator

2018-047A

Epoch

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 06:28:00 GMT

Apogee

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Perigee

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Inclination

88.99°

Right Ascension

195.60°

Eccentricity

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Argument of Perigee

54.50°

Period

93.60 min

Mean Motion

15.38 rev/day

Latitude

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Longitude

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Altitude

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Velocity

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Polar Plot
3D Visualization
Basic Satellite Info

Name

GRACE-FO 1

Alternative Name

GRACE-FO 1

Type

Payload

Status

Operational

Owner

JPL/GFZ

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Latest TLEs
1 43476U 18047A   26185.26945343  .00004782  00000-0  12526-3 0  9992
2 43476  88.9913 195.6041 0013037  54.4971 305.7499 15.38380646452422

Source: Celestrak

Summary
GRACE-FO 1 is an Earth Science and Gravity field mapping satellite, manufactured by ADSB for JPL/GFZ, launched on May 22, 2018, from AFWTR SLC4E using a Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The spacecraft measures 3.1 meters in length with a diameter of 0.7 meters and spans 3.1 meters, featuring a half hex prism shape. It has a dry mass of 500 kg and a launch mass of 600 kg. Equipped with solar cells and batteries for power, GRACE-FO 1 includes a GPS receiver, microwave ranging system, and laser ranging system as part of its equipment. The satellite's mission is expected to last five years.
Physical Characteristics

Length

3.1

Diameter

0.7

Span

3.1

Dry Mass

500

Launch Mass

600

Shape

Half Hex Prism

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

GRACE-FO 1

Purpose

Earth Science, Gravity field mapping

Mission

Earth Science, Gravity field mapping

Manufacturer

ADSB

Life Expectancy

5 years

Bus

FlexBus

Configuration

Flexbus

Motor

N2 AOCS

Equipment

GPS receiver, microwave ranging system, laser ranging system

Power System

Solar cells, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Map
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