HARP (45256)

COSPAR: 1998-067QZ | Alt Name: HARP
DECAYED

Image
HARP Satellite Image
Additional Sources
Launch Details

Launch Date

November 20, 1998

Launch Pad

Pad 0A

Launch Vehicle

Antares 230+

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

45256

International Designator

1998-067QZ

Decay Date

4/4/2022

Basic Satellite Info

Name

HARP

Alternative Name

HARP

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

UMBC

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary
The HARP satellite, identified by NORAD catalog ID 45256 and OBJECT_ID 1998-067QZ, is a CubeSat (3U) built in the United States by UMBC. With dimensions of 0.3 meters in length and diameter of 0.1 meter, it weighs 4 kilograms both at launch and dry mass. Launched on November 20, 1998, from TYMSC Pad 0A using an Antares 230+ launch vehicle, the satellite's primary mission involves Earth observation and technology demonstration. It is equipped with solar cells and batteries for power supply and has a shape described as "Box + 2 pan." The intended operational lifetime was one year, becoming stable in orbit on February 19, 2020.
Physical Characteristics

Length

0.3

Diameter

0.1

Span

0.3

Dry Mass

4

Launch Mass

4

Shape

Box + 2 pan

Radar Cross Section

Unknown

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

HARP

Purpose

Earth observation, technology

Mission

Earth observation, technology

Manufacturer

UMBC

Life Expectancy

1 year

Bus

Cubesat 3U

Configuration

CubeSat (3U)

Motor

None

Equipment

Unknown

Power System

Solar cells, batteries

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

Satellite Articles

View All Posts »

Learn more about satellites and other related topics.

Space Brief 3 Mar 2025

Space Brief 3 Mar 2025

Historic moon landing by Firefly Aerospace, Spanish Air and Space Force advances with new simulator, and spotlight on OneWeb's communication satellite.

Space Brief 11 Mar 2025

Space Brief 11 Mar 2025

Today's Space Brief highlights pivotal defense budget evaluations, Lithuania's growing defense connections, the first CubeSat for ESA's Ramses mission, and the one-year milestone of the Aries satellite in orbit.

Crew-11 Completes First-Ever ISS Medical Evacuation, SpaceX Sets Pad Record | KeepTrack X Report

Crew-11 Completes First-Ever ISS Medical Evacuation, SpaceX Sets Pad Record | KeepTrack X Report

Crew-11 astronauts splashdown off California in first-ever ISS medical evacuation. SpaceX sets pad turnaround record at Cape Canaveral with Starlink 6-98 deploying 29 satellites.

Blue Origin's New Glenn Gantry Damaged; SpaceX Wins $4.16B Space Force Contract | KeepTrack Space Brief

Blue Origin's New Glenn Gantry Damaged; SpaceX Wins $4.16B Space Force Contract | KeepTrack Space Brief

Blue Origin's LC-36 gantry damaged in blast; CEO targets end-2026 return. SpaceX awarded $4.16B Space Force contract for airborne threat tracking satellites.

Space Brief 24 Dec 2025

Space Brief 24 Dec 2025

Today's highlights include the successes and setbacks in recent rocket launches, a notable satellite anomaly, and a significant expansion announcement from ESA.

The Dog They Never Planned to Bring Home

The Dog They Never Planned to Bring Home

On April 14, 1958, Sputnik 2 burned up over the North Atlantic, carrying the remains of a stray dog from Moscow who had been dead for five months. The Soviet Union told the world she survived for days. It took forty-five years for the truth to come out.

X Report 9 Sep 2025

X Report 9 Sep 2025

Important updates include SpaceX's $19 billion spectrum deal with EchoStar, a successful super heavy booster test, and recent setbacks in launching due to poor weather.

Suborbital Tourism Scorecard 2026, the Edge of Space Goes Quiet

Suborbital Tourism Scorecard 2026, the Edge of Space Goes Quiet

Twenty-two years after SpaceShipOne, the two companies that defined suborbital tourism are both sitting on the ground. Blue Origin parked New Shepard in January, Virgin Galactic has not flown a customer since 2024, and the math behind the whole business is finally getting an honest look.